Toast Callouts vs. Announcements: When Subtle Guidance Beats Loud Interruptions

A Quick Recap: Toast Callouts and Announcements in GRAVITY

With the release of GRAVITY 1.33, we’ve introduced a standout new feature: Toast Callouts. Think of them as lightweight, non-intrusive notifications—like the toast messages you see on your mobile phone. They briefly appear on screen, deliver a message, and remain on the side—keeping users in the flow of work.

Toast Callouts are:

• Short, unobtrusive messages
• Contextual delivery at just the right moment
• Designed to inform without interrupting

Announcements are:

• Messages that appear over the application or window
• Force the user to pause their workflow
• Intended only for urgent or critical communication

Minimizing the “Paradox of an Active User” and “Dual-Task Interference”

In digital adoption, two well-known cognitive hurdles can quietly sabotage success: the paradox of an active user and dual-task interference. The paradox of an active user occurs when people, eager to get their task done, skip or ignore instructions that interrupt their flow—even if the instructions would actually help them complete the task more effectively. Dual-task interference happens when a second task (like reading a pop-up announcement) competes for attention with the primary task (like entering data), increasing errors, slowing progress, and causing frustration.

Announcements, because they interrupt and demand immediate attention, run a high risk of triggering both of these effects. Users may rush through, dismiss, or misunderstand the information, undermining its purpose. Toast Callouts, by contrast, allow you to surface key information in context without derailing the workflow. This subtle delivery helps GRAVITY Authors guide users effectively, support learning “in the flow of work,” and reduce the cognitive cost of switching between tasks.

Why Toast Callouts Are a Game-Changer

Keep Users in the Flow
Traditional pop-ups break concentration. Toast Callouts appear, inform, and disappear—perfect for gentle nudges, reminders, or low-priority updates.

Reduce Notification Fatigue
Flooding users with interruptions leads to “banner blindness” or frustration. Toast Callouts help you communicate frequently without overwhelming them.

Flexible and Configurable
Admins can customize Toast Callouts to match the message type, target audience, and timing.

Better User Experience = Better Adoption
Employees are more likely to embrace change when information arrives contextually and non-intrusively. This aligns with GRAVITY’s core mission: to improve employee onboarding, employee productivity, and the employee experience.

When to Use Toast Callouts

Use Toast Callouts for:

• Small feature tips or hints
• Quick status updates
• Success/failure confirmations
• Light reminders about upcoming tasks or deadlines
• Reinforcing a learning point without disrupting workflow

When to Use Announcements

Announcements are powerful—but also disruptive. Use them sparingly and only when necessary.

Use Announcements for:

• Urgent system maintenance notices
• Compliance-critical changes
• Policy updates that require acknowledgement
• Emergencies or service interruptions

For even more urgent messages that must be pushed immediately to all users, check out Send an Announcement – Immediately.

A Simple Rule of Thumb

• If the message is low or medium priority, choose a Toast Callout. It’s non-intrusive and keeps users focused.
• If the message is high priority or urgent, use an Announcement. It interrupts the workflow to ensure the message is seen.
• If the message is critical and must be sent instantly, create an Announcement and use Template Global.  

Final Thoughts

Toast Callouts and Announcements both have their place in your digital adoption strategy. Use Toast Callouts to provide ongoing, contextual guidance that keeps employees productive and engaged. Reserve Announcements for the moments when you must interrupt the flow—critical updates, compliance issues, or emergency alerts.

By choosing the right tool at the right time, you’ll create a smoother employee experience, improve employee onboarding, and boost employee productivity—exactly what GRAVITY was designed to deliver.