AppsFlyerAppsFlyer

Everything a developer needs to know about deep linking

By Shani Rosenfelder·Jan 28, 2021·15 min read

Attribution and deep linking are closely related; attribution identifies the user's source, and deep linking uses that data to route users to specific app content.
Legacy tools have fallen behind, while newcomers neglect technical complexities.
Proper implementation involves handling edge cases across OS, browsers, and versions for a world-class UX.
Deterministic matching (e.g., URI schemes, Universal Links) provides 100% accuracy, whereas probabilistic modeling relies on statistical matching.
Higher match rates depend on the attribution provider's reach and how they use data.
Despite vendor hype, all good providers use web cookie and device ID pairs.
Deep linking mechanisms include URI schemes, Chrome Intents, Apple Universal Links, and Android App Links.
Email deep linking requires setting up Universal Links on ESP domains and resolving URLs in-app.
Testing and QA are critical due to nuances like OS differences and Apple's AASA file issues.

You Might Also Like

AppsFlyerAppsFlyer

The marketer’s field guide to mobile ad fraud

Mobile ad fraud wastes billions yearly. Categories: attribution hijacking (real users, fake clicks) and fake installs (bots, device farms). Fraudsters evolve, exploiting industry complexities. Key to combat: education, secure SDKs, post-attribution detection.

Shani Rosenfelder·Jan 31, 2021·15 min readRead article →
AppsFlyerAppsFlyer

Instagram deep links: how to create, use, and measure them

Instagram deep links route users to apps, but Instagram's walled garden often breaks them. AppsFlyer's OneLink provides deferred deep linking, attribution, and branded landing pages to fix this, making Instagram a measurable growth channel.

Dubi Furie·May 7, 2026·8 min readRead article →
AppsFlyerAppsFlyer

Strong open rates, weak app revenue: your email campaign isn’t broken. Your links are.

High email CTR but low app conversion indicates a broken link handoff, not campaign flaws. ESP tracking redirects strip deep link context, causing app opens to miss targeted screens. Fixing the infrastructure layer restores intent, doubling purchase rates.

Oren Bar-Lev·May 24, 2026·8 min readRead article →
AppsFlyerAppsFlyer

OneLink API 2.0: The new deep linking infrastructure built for growth and scale

In 2025, multi-channel growth demands programmatic deep linking. OneLink API 2.0 automates link creation with QR generation, custom TTL, and improved developer experience. Brands like Albertsons and Apartment List saw measurable gains: 113% more app traffic and 30% increase in LTV. Deep linking is now infrastructure for conversion.

Dubi Furie·Jun 2, 2026·5 min readRead article →
AdjustAdjust

How branded domains power modern customer journeys

TrueLink unifies deep linking, routing, QR journeys, and cross-platform attribution via branded domains. It customizes links, scales creation via APIs, and routes users dynamically across web and app for consistent experiences and measurement.

Karthik Kannan·May 13, 2026·6 min readRead article →
AppsFlyerAppsFlyer

How Gaming, Finance, and E-Commerce Marketers Use Claude and AppsFlyer MCP

AppsFlyer MCP connects Claude to live attribution data, eliminating CSV exports. Gaming, finance, and e-commerce teams use it to automate reporting, catch budget anomalies, and answer performance questions in real time, transforming workflows in under 60 seconds.

Eden Kalderon·May 14, 2026·6 min readRead article →
MetaMeta

Apple’s iOS 14 Changes Are Almost Here: How to Finish Preparing and What’s Changing

Facebook changes due to iOS 14.5 include restricted measurement, limited campaigns (9 per app, 8 web events per domain), and need for SDK updates. Advertisers must act to avoid disruption.

Apr 21, 2021·8 min readRead article →
MetaMeta

Speaking Up for Small Businesses

Apple's iOS 14 policy forces apps to show a prompt discouraging tracking, harming personalized ads crucial for small businesses. Facebook argues it's profit-driven, exempts Apple's own ads. This may force free services to charge, hurting small businesses and content creators.

Dan Levy·Dec 16, 2020·8 min readRead article →

More from AppsFlyer