In today’s digital environment, using mobile apps is woven into the fabric of everyday life. Messaging, shopping, learning, and watching videos – we are constantly surrounded by apps. Have you ever thought about how one app will take you to a specific screen or page in another app? That’s the power of deep linking.
What Is Deep Linking?
Deep linking is an effective use of links where users can be directed instead of landing on the homepage of an app. Some of the top MMPs like Apptrove offer advanced deep linking services. This is like a shortcut. When you walk through the front door of the mall, you didn’t want to search for your store, you wanted to walk straight to that store. Deep linking allows you to just walk straight to the store.
It improves the overall user experience because now it is easier, and faster to use apps.
Table of Contents
Types of Deep Linking
Deep links can come in different forms. Here’s a summary of the most common types of deep links in straightforward terms.
1. Deferred Deep Links
Deferred deep linking enables users to navigate directly to one page in an app, even if they did not have the app downloaded previously. When someone clicks the link, they are sent to download the app, before the app opens to direct them back to the specific page in the app that the link was intended for. This is very useful for sharing across social channels, sites, or blogs, knowing that if a user does not have the app, they will be directed to the right spot within the app once the app is installed.
2. Dynamic Deep Links
Dynamic deep links change dependent on the user’s condition or behaviours. For example, a user has logged in previously and before, would go to a different page than a user that has logged in previously before. Dynamic deep links are flexible and can be used differently for different users, based on the conditions that the deep link is addressing. They can be customized for marketers, salespeople, or content sharers.
Dynamic deep linking is a great way for companies to ensure that each user has a different experience, based on the conditions they encountered.
3. URL Deep Linking
URL deep linking utilizes standard web links (beginning with “http” or “https”) to direct users to a mobile app. If the app is already installed, the user would automatically go to that page within the app. If the app is not installed, the link will instead direct the user to the webpage.
This is useful deep linking, as it works on websites, or on mobile devices everywhere.
4. App-to-App Linking
App-to-app linking allows one app to open a specific page or content, within another app. This allows the user to transition from one app to another without losing their place. If you are on a chat app, and click a shared link which opens a product page in a shopping app, then you have used app-to-app linking.
Why Deep Linking Matters for Engagement
One of the goals of deep linking is to empower users to do what they want to do as quickly and effortlessly as possible. If a user clicks a link to view a shirt in a shopping app, they do not want to arrive at that app and find themselves on the home page looking for the shirt. Deep linking is the pathway, remembering that the destination they want to arrive at is probably a level or two or three down in the app’s hierarchy.
When users find it easy to use an app, they use the app for longer, and return to the app more frequently. This is how deep linking helps drive engagement.
A real-world study of apps that used deep linking saw users who clicked deep links retain and stay active in the app 2x more than people who clicked static links, which is an interesting real-world demonstration of how effective deep linking can be.
How Deep Linking Improves User Experience
Deep linking is more than just a shortcut. Deep linking can enable users to feel like the app understands them. Here is how deep linking helps make better to use apps:
- Saves time: Deep linking gives users direct access to their desired location
- Reduce frustration: Deep linking lets users avoid taking steps repeatedly or searching again
- Feels personalized: Deep linking directs users to their own content
- Smooth transition: Deep linking works whether users have installed the app or not.
All of these things enhance user satisfaction, which is ideal for any app.
Conclusion
Deep linking is a great way to make mobile apps smarter and easier. All types of deep linking – deferred deep linking, dynamic deep linking, app-to-app deep linking, or URL deep linking – helps to save users time and keep them engaged, thus contributing to a better experience overall. Regardless of the type of deep link, it’s all about connecting users to the right content at the right time.
Deep linking properly can take an average app and turn it into one that’s loved and revisited by users.
Also Read: The Future of Hybrid Events: Are We Designing Two Audiences?