What is deep linking

Deep link is URL that open and directs user to specific location within application. When developer create application, they can register URL scheme with iOS. When iOS attempts to open URL with custom scheme it first look through applications that are installed on device to see if any installed application has registered that URL scheme. If it's find match then it will launch application and pass in URL that was open to use it.

Deep links can help you open application, but what else can they do? Not only application be launched by using deep link, it can also act on any information that is contained in that URL. From below diagram you better understand about deep linking

Why use Deep linking

Deep links can direct users to specific views within your application or other applications. Suppose you wanted user to go from view in application straight to your company facebook page. You have two options without deep linking the Facebook application. First option is to direct your user to exit your application, open Facebook application and then search your company’s page. Second is to display button for user to tap on that launches Safari or UIWebVIew within your application. Once they arrive at Facebook page, they may need to authenticate with Facebook if they are not already signed in. Alternatively you can make it easy and let a deep link do all heavy lifting. User can tap on button with a single action and directly launch Facebook to your company’s profile page.

We use deep linking to enhance onboarding experience for our customer FamilySignal, by sending personalized invitations via deep links. When user open link and FamilySignal launches, they are greeted with a personalized view with some registration information pre -populated to make sign up process smooth.

Your app can be installed or opened through deep linked ads, user to user content sharing via SMS, email, or social media, or through in-app referrals.