Deferred deep linking is a technique that allows users to be taken to a specific page or content within a mobile app – even if the app isn’t already installed on their device. Once the app is installed, the user is automatically redirected to the intended in-app content, preserving the original deep link context. This ensures a seamless user journey from link click to content access, regardless of whether the app was previously installed.
Why Are Deferred Deep Links Important?
Deferred deep links solve a major challenge in mobile marketing and app onboarding—what happens when a user clicks a link to app content but doesn’t yet have the app installed? Instead of landing on the app store and losing context, deferred deep links resume the user journey post-install. This dramatically improves:
- User Experience: Seamless transitions reduce drop-offs.
- Conversion Rates: Maintains the user’s original intent.
- Attribution Accuracy: Tracks which campaigns drive app installs.
What Are the Uses of Deferred Deep Linking?
Deferred deep linking is widely used in:
- Mobile Advertising Campaigns
- Influencer Marketing
- Referral Programs
- Email or SMS Promotions
- Product Launches
It enables marketers and developers to create frictionless, high-conversion experiences across all app entry points.
How Does Deferred Deep Linking Work?
- A user clicks on a deep link (e.g., from an ad or email).
- If the app is installed, it opens directly to the targeted content.
- If not installed, the user is taken to the app store.
- After installation and first launch, the app reads stored link data.
- The user is then redirected to the specific in-app location.
This mechanism relies on mobile attribution providers (like Branch) or custom SDKs that retain click context through install.
Deferred Deep Linking Use Cases
- Branch Deferred Deep Linking: Branch.io is a leading platform for implementing deferred deep linking across multiple channels. It ensures accurate attribution, seamless routing, and high reliability.
- React Native & Expo Deep Linking: Apps built with React Native or Expo can implement deferred deep links using their built-in linking modules, or by integrating SDKs like Branch or Firebase.
- Onboarding Journeys: Redirect users to personalized onboarding screens based on the campaign they came from.
- E-commerce: Take users directly to a product page even after installing the app from an ad.
- Event Registrations or Coupons: Direct users to time-sensitive pages or promo codes post-install.
What is Deep Linking on GLConnect?
GLConnect’s deep linking feature lets finance teams jump from Excel reports directly to specific screens in Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP without any manual navigation. This streamlines variance analysis, reconciliations, and audits, making financial reporting faster and more accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Deferred Deep Linking
What is a deferred deep link?
A deferred deep link opens specific in-app content even if the app wasn’t installed when the link was clicked. After installation, users are routed to their intended destination within the app.
How to test a deferred deep link?
Uninstall the app, click a deferred deep link, reinstall the app from the app store, and open it. If configured correctly, the app should navigate to the specific linked content upon first launch.
What is the difference between deferred deep linking and universal linking
Universal links open content directly if the app is installed; if not, they open the browser. Deferred deep links, however, store user intent and resume it after app installation.
What is deep linking in Expo?
Deep linking in Expo enables navigating to specific screens in an Expo app via URL schemes or universal links. With deferred deep linking, this behavior extends beyond the install.
