What is Cross-App Deep Linking?

Cross-App Deep Linking is a tried and true marketing growth tactic that emerged along with the evolution of mobile applications.

By utilizing this technique, marketers found they could directly connect one app to another, transferring useful data in the process. The intention of using Cross-App Deep Linking is usually to maintain the user's context between two different apps.

In essence, Cross-App Deep Linking is a method of creating bridges between different apps. You're essentially forming a smart path that helps a user effortlessly move from one app to another. This is exceptionally helpful when it comes to Conversion. Why? Because it retains the user's purpose, keeping the experience seamless. Whether it's for personalized onboarding, carrying data from one app to align with a partner app, or customizing shopping carts, this tactic keeps the user engaged.

Examples of Cross-App Deep Linking

  1. Say you're using a fitness app that recommends a list of healthy foods to eat. Cross-App Deep Linking can transport you from that app directly to a grocery shopping app with those same healthy foods already added to your shopping cart.

  2. Let's say there's an event organizing app and it suggests an upcoming concert based on your previous music interests. In just one tap, you can be taken from this app to a ticket-booking app where seats for this particular concert are ready for purchase.

  3. Imagine a travel app that shows pictures of beautiful tourist destinations. A user can tap on the picture and be ushered directly to the airline's booking app with flight results for that destination instantly shown.

  4. Consider a language learning app that suggests books as per your language proficiency. You can be seamlessly taken to an e-book reading app where the suggested book is ready to be read.

  5. Imagine a job-hunting app showing a listing you like. With a single tap, it can lead you straight to a travel planner app, showing the commuting route and time to that office location from your home.

Marketing Tactics Similar to Cross-App Deep Linking

  • In-App Deep Linking: This tactic is about creating links within an app that lead users to specific pages or features, enhancing user engagement.
  • Website to App Deep Linking: Here, links on a website direct the user to specific features or content within an app, thus improving overall user experience.
  • Deferred Deep Linking: This approach allows you to send users to specific content or pages even before they've installed your app, which can significantly enhance user acquisition and conversion.
  • Contextual Deep Linking: These are deep links that carry forward the data about the user's source and intent while transitioning across apps or from websites to apps, offering an enhanced personalized experience.

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