Google has taken a huge step in its efforts to make mobile-websites act like native applications on Android smartphones, by adding push notifications to its browser.

One of the most considerable arguments for building an app instead of a website has been the ability to send push notifications to users. Google is now hoping to narrow that advantage by adding this feature to version 42 of its Chrome browser for Android.

As a result, Android developers will no longer have to decide between the reach of a mobile-website and the engagement potential of a native app, Google said in a blog post on Monday.

For users, the push-notifications will act and look as those sent from applications. They will still show up in the notification tray, but a click will take users to a website instead of an app. Users however, still have to opt in before a website can send them any messages.

Over the coming weeks, early adopters such as Facebook, eBay, and Pinterest will start sending push-notifications, according to Google.

Push notifications offer organizations the opportunity to engage more closely with users. They are also the simplest way to get them to uninstall an app if not done right. It’s important to be upfront with what the notifications will cover and how many will be sent, and then stick to that.

This push notification upgrade is part of a greater effort by Google to make mobile-optimized websites look more like installed apps when using Chrome. The upgraded version will also lets developers add a pop-up banner that users can click on to add that particular site to their home screen.

Other recent changes include complete offline support, and access to device capabilities such as the camera and geo-location, according to Google. These new features will continue to develop and evolve over time, removing the difficult choice for developers between the reach of the mobile web and the engagement of native apps.