Deep Link Generator: How to Create Links That Open Apps Directly

Deep links take users directly to specific content inside a mobile app, bypassing the home screen and navigation. Instead of opening a website, a deep link might open a product page in a shopping app, a playlist in a music app, or a profile in a social app.

In this guide, you'll learn how deep links work, the different types, and how to generate them for your campaigns.

A standard web link opens a page in a browser. A deep link opens a specific screen or piece of content inside a mobile app.

For example:

• Web link: https://www.spotify.com/track/abc123 → opens in browser
• Deep link: spotify:track:abc123 → opens the track directly in the Spotify app

Deep links improve user experience because apps are faster, more interactive, and already have the user's preferences and login state.

The original method. Each app registers a custom protocol:

• spotify:track:abc123
• twitter://user?screen_name=linkly
• fb://profile/123456

Pros: Simple to create Cons: No fallback if the app isn't installed; can conflict between apps

Apple's solution since iOS 9. Universal Links use standard HTTPS URLs that open the app if installed, or fall back to the website:

https://www.example.com/product/123

The app developer hosts an apple-app-site-association file that tells iOS which URLs should open in the app.

Pros: Seamless fallback, standard URLs, no custom protocol needed Cons: Requires server-side configuration by the app developer

Google's equivalent of Universal Links. App Links use standard HTTPS URLs with a assetlinks.json file to verify app ownership:

https://www.example.com/product/123

Pros: Same benefits as Universal Links Cons: Requires app developer configuration

Deferred deep links work even when the app isn't installed. The user is sent to the app store, and after installing and opening the app, they're taken to the intended content.

This is handled by attribution platforms and deep link services, not by URLs alone.

If you're the app developer:

1. 1Define your URL scheme in your app configuration
2. 2Set up Universal Links / App Links with the appropriate verification files
3. 3Handle incoming URLs in your app code to route to the correct content

See our deep linking for mobile apps guide for implementation details.

To deep link into apps you don't own, you need to know their URL scheme:

Deep link generator tools simplify the process by:

1. 1Providing a library of known app URL schemes
2. 2Handling platform detection (iOS vs. Android)
3. 3Providing fallback URLs for users without the app
4. 4Adding click tracking and analytics

The challenge with deep links is handling multiple scenarios:

• User has the app → open in app
• User doesn't have the app → open in browser or app store
• User is on desktop → open the web version

This is where device-based redirects become valuable. With Linkly, you can create a single link that routes differently based on the user's device:

• iOS users → Universal Link or App Store
• Android users → App Link or Play Store
• Desktop users → Website

Deep links in emails can take mobile users directly to in-app content, reducing friction. A promotional email linking to a product page opens much faster in the app than through a mobile browser.

While push notifications often handle deep linking natively, the landing page URL should also work as a deep link for cross-channel consistency.

Short, tracked deep links in SMS campaigns drive higher conversion rates by taking users directly to relevant app content.

QR codes that resolve to deep links create seamless offline-to-app experiences. Scan a code on packaging to open the product in your app.

Understanding which deep links drive engagement is critical. Track:

• Click-through rate — how many people click the deep link
• App open rate — how many clicks result in app opens
• Conversion rate — how many app opens lead to the desired action
• Platform split — iOS vs. Android engagement

Linkly's click tracking provides device, location, and referrer data for every deep link click.

1. 1Always provide a fallback — never leave users stranded if the app isn't installed
2. 2Test on both platforms — iOS and Android handle deep links differently
3. 3Use Universal Links / App Links over URI schemes when possible
4. 4Keep links short — use a URL shortener to clean up long deep link URLs
5. 5Track everything — measure which deep links drive the most app engagement

Deep links remove friction by taking users directly where they need to go. Whether you're driving app engagement from email, SMS, social media, or print, generating the right deep links and tracking their performance is essential.

Need smart links with device routing? Get started with Linkly and create links that automatically route to apps, app stores, or websites based on the user's device.