What occurs if you click on a link that a friend sends you via iMessage? The application launches correctly? What happens, though, if you haven't downloaded that app to your phone? Is there something you can never see on the other side?

Nope, the deep links have been deferred!

Deferred deep links are a step up from standard deep links in that they let you view content later, even if you don't yet have the app. From the perspective of an app developer, it's a superpower to boost user acquisition, engagement, and eventually... profits!

So let's explore deferred deep linking in this blog post, including what it is, why it matters, and how it functions. To top it all off, we'll find some real-world examples of deep link usage in mobile apps and a few best practices you should never overlook.

Are you prepared to master deep linking?

Deferred deep linking: what is it?

Despite the app not being installed on the user's device, deferred deep linking is a marketing technique that points users to particular content within a mobile app. These links, which are available on both iOS and Android devices, help apps gain more users and are frequently incorporated into marketing campaigns.

Deferred deep links don't require the app to be installed on the device in order to function, in contrast to standard and regular deep links. Rather than acting immediately, these deep links wait for the app to be installed on the user's device.

And for that reason alone, you should be aware of how to incorporate deferred deep links into your marketing strategies for mobile apps!

Why are deferred deep links important?

Naturally, one of your initial inquiries will be to find out why deep linking is crucial in the first place. These three important factors explain why nearly all popular apps are currently incorporating deep linking into their marketing strategies:

1. A better experience for users

Deferred deep links eliminate the need for sign-up screens or generic welcome pages by enabling users to move fluidly from a web link or advertisement to particular content within an app. I don't know about you, but those screens have never appealed to me!

Users will find it easier to obtain the content they are interested in directly as a result of the reduced friction in the user journey. A more seamless user experience boosts contentment and promotes returning to the app.

2. A marketing strategy centered on data

App marketers can target users precisely and track their interactions with the app using deferred deep links, which makes them an effective tool. Marketers can precisely gauge the success of their marketing initiatives by developing customized campaigns with deep links that take users to particular content or promotional offers.

Additionally, you can optimize your campaigns for greater outcomes and return on investment by using data-driven decision-making to examine the performance metrics of deferred deep links!

3. A rise in app installs

What are our desires? A rise in the number of app installs! How are we going to accomplish that? By allowing potential users to access pertinent app content directly through deep links! Despite how simple this math is, allow me to explain.

Users are more likely to download the app to continue exploring or accessing more features when they are directed to content that is tailored to their needs or interests. This focused method of app marketing increases overall app installs and improves conversion rates.

How does deferred deep linking work?

Even if the app is not installed, deferred deep linking uses a number of technical procedures to smoothly guide users from a link to particular content within an app. This is how it usually operates:

• When a user clicks on a deferred deep link, metadata in the URL indicates which particular page or content in the app the user wants to view.

• The target app's installation status on the user's device is determined by the link routing mechanism. The appropriate content within the app can be opened directly if the app is installed. The routing mechanism, however, directs the user to the relevant app store so they can download and install the app if it isn't already installed.

• Deep linking is postponed until after the app installation is finished because the app is not installed at the moment the link is clicked. Temporary storage of the original link's information and its intended destination is frequently achieved by combining technologies like cookies, device identifiers, or cloud-based services.

• The user goes ahead and uses the app store to download and install it. The user can launch the app for the first time after the installation is finished.

• The app initialization process looks for stored data associated with deferred deep links, like the content that should launch after the app is installed, when the user opens the application.

• After obtaining the stored data regarding the postponed deep link, the application links the user's interaction with the original link as the installation source.

• By utilizing the data from the delayed deep link, the application effectively directs the user to the intended location or content!