What is deep linking?
Deep linking is a technique used to direct users to a specific location within a mobile app rather than simply opening the app’s homepage.
It enhances the user experience by taking them directly to the content they are interested in, such as a product page, article, or specific feature within the app.
This is particularly useful for marketing campaigns, user engagement, and improving the overall efficiency of app navigation.
How does deep linking work at Linko?
Linko makes creating deep links easy. It analyzes the destination URL and generates automatic deep links for iOS and Android.
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When users click a link, they are taken directly to the app if it is installed on their device.
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If the app is not installed, they are redirected to the web version or prompted to download the app, ensuring a smooth and targeted experience.
Platforms supported by Linko’s deep link feature
Linko supports deep linking for 24 popular platforms, ensuring accessibility and usability across multiple domains.
Supported platforms include:
| Platforms | Supported URL Schemes |
|---|---|
| 1. YouTube | Channel, Video, Profile |
| 2. Amazon | Product, Category |
| 3. Facebook | Videos, Profiles, Events, Pages, Groups, Posts |
| 4. Messenger | Profile & Chat |
| 5. Instagram | TV, Posts, Profiles |
| 6. Twitter (X) | TV, Posts, Profiles |
| 7. Spotify | Albums, Artists, Episodes, Playlists, Shows, Tracks |
| 8. WhatsApp | App opening, chats, pre-filled messages |
| 9. TikTok | Videos, Profile, Songs |
| 10. Snapchat | Business, Profile |
| 11. Apple Music | Albums, Song, Artists |
| 12. Telegram | Chats, Messanger |
| 13. Pinterest | Pins, Profiles |
| 14. LinkedIn | Profiles, Companies, Job, Message |
| 15. WalMart | Category, Brand, Product, Search |
| 16. Netflix | Episode, Genre, Show |
| 17. Twitch | Streming, Gaming |
| 18. Zoom | Meetings |
| 19. Airbnb | Room |
| 20. AliExpress | Product, and category |
| 21. GrubHub | Restaurant |
| 22. Wolt | Link |
| 23. Yelp | Biz |
| 24. Google Maps | Place, Search, Directions |
How to set up deep linking at Linko?
Setting up deep linking at Linko allows you to create links that direct users straight to your app or a specific part of it.
Here’s how you can set it up:
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Login to your Linko account,
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Paste your destination URL.
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Click on the Advanced button and scroll down.
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Navigate to the Deep Linking and enable it.
- For the above-mentioned apps and their supported URL schemes, the deep link will be generated automatically.
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Then click on the Shorten button.
How can I create a deep link if the URL isn’t from supported platforms?
If you want to create a deep link that Linko does not currently support, you must specify the appropriate app/play store links and manually configure device tracking for iOS, Android, and iPads.
I will be using Instagram as an example for setting up a custom deep links.
Step 1:
Provide the correct app URL to the respective app stores (e.g., Apple App Store or Google Play Store) where your app is available.
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iOS AppStore Link
https://apps.apple.com/in/app/instagram/id389801252 -
Android Play Store Link
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.android&hl=en_IN&pli=1
Step 2:
In the device targeting section, choose the correct device type (e.g., iPhone, iPad, or Android) and enter the appropriate URI Format for each.
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iOS Deep Link URI
instagram://user?username=johndoeReplace johndoe with your profile username.
Android Deep Link URI
tent://www.instagram.com/johndoe/#Intent;package=com.instagram.android;scheme=https;end
Step 3:
Once all the settings are in place, click the Shorten button to create your custom deep link.
