Deep links send mobile device users directly to relevant pages in your app rather than your website. Users click on ads and go directly to your app pages. You can use deep links in many Google Ads products, including App campaigns for engagement, App dynamic remarketing, and Search, Shopping, and Display campaigns.
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Benefits
- Greater security: App Links and Universal Links give you peace of mind that no other app can use your links. Other companies can’t claim your link, so they can’t send traffic to their own app (as can be done with custom schemes).
- Relevant page results: You can direct customers and potential customers to relevant pages within your app, rather than browser or mobile-web pages. App Links and Universal Links use the same URL as your web links, so if your app can’t open, instead of being shown an error page, users will be taken to the mobile site landing page.
- Seamless user experience: The more seamless integration for your app users improves user experience, increases conversions, and improves customer loyalty.
Requirements to get started with deep links
Developer support
Deep links aren't automatically set up when you create your app, and they work differently on iOS and Android. Your app development team needs to make changes in the app, and if you implement App Links (Android) or Universal Links (iOS), add a Digital Asset Link JSON file to your website so that users can be diverted to the app when they have installed it. If you implement App Links or Universal Links, this won't change the web URLs. However, this will allow web campaigns like Search, Shopping, and Display campaigns to take users directly to apps, if installed. Learn more about Deep linking: A developer’s guide.
Web to App Connect
You can set up deep linking and app conversion tracking using the Web to App Connect interface in Google Ads. After you’ve completed setting up for both, you can provide a seamless web-to-app experience for your customers and drive on average 2 times higher conversion rates for ad clicks landing in your app compared to your mobile website.
This improved experience allows your customers to more easily complete their intended action, whether purchasing, signing up, or adding items to their cart. Plus, from within the Web to App Connect interface, you can track these in-app conversion actions and get recommendations on how to improve your campaign.
To get started with Web to App Connect, follow the 3 steps below:
- In your Google Ads account, click the Tools icon
.
- Click the Planning drop down in the section menu.
- Click App advertising hub. This will take you to the Web to App Connect interface.
Learn more about converting better with the Web to App Connect interface.
Google Ads support
If you’re having trouble with deep links, the Google Ads support team can help you to verify deep linking functionality, set up deep links, and track deep links. If you have an account manager, reach out to your account manager to connect with the support team. If not, click on the “Contact us” tile at the bottom of this page and proceed through a series of prompts to find the right path to contact a support agent by phone, email, or chat.
Next steps
Know the types of deep links that are supported in your Google Ads campaigns.
Learn more About types of deep links.
Identify missed conversion opportunities by highlighting web URLs that need deep linking.
Learn how Identify deep linking opportunities with the Deep link impact calculator.
Generate insights from deep link impact calculator to identify conversion gaps in your App campaigns.
Learn how to Use the Deep link impact calculator.
Know how the Deep link validator helps iIdentify and fix configuration issues on your Android and iOS deep links.
Learn how to Validate your deep links with the Deep link validator.
Conduct comprehensive validations of your deep links across Android and iOS platforms.
Learn how to Use the Deep link validator.
Understand the best practices when implementing deep links.
Learn more about Best practices for implementing deep links.
Use these guides to create effective deep linking strategies for App campaigns and when using Web to App Connect.
Learn how to Create an effective deep linking strategy for App Campaigns for engagement and Create an effective deep linking strategy when using Web to App Connect.
