Google Instant Apps – The Rise of Mobile App Deep Linking

Android/Google Instant Apps – In short, a tap on URL can open in an Android app, even if that person doesn’t have the app installed.

Now developers can use source code from Google that permits them to open specific page within their app via links. It’s basically a deep-linking technology where developers won’t require building new apps.

A user can try the app without installing it and also it will benefit the app developers as after completing few tasks, a percentage of users will decide to install the app and ultimately become the frequent user of the app. It will increase the user engagement and can change the journey of certain brands and products.

What Is Deep Link?

A deep link is a URL that opens and directs a user to specific location within an app. For example open safari and type twitter:// into the search field and press Go. If Twitter is installed on your phone, the app will launch, otherwise safari will try to load the address.

Why Deep Linking Is Important?

If you wanted your user to go from a view in your app straight to your company’s Twitter Page. You have two options:

• Put a display button to launch Twitter within your app. Once they arrived they need to authenticate with Twitter if they are not signed in.
• Direct your user to exit your app, open the twitter app, and then search for your company’s page.

With the use of Deep Link user can tap on a button and directly launch their Twitter to your company’s profile page. With the use of Deep Link you can direct your user to any specific screen in your app.

Deep linking is an important tool for app creator who is looking to enhance user engagement & improve on-boarding process by identifying which campaigns drive user to your app.

Cons

Cookies are the main source of getting user identity on web and also provide details regarding user activities. But Cookies doesn’t exist within app. However it is still unclear how Google Instant app interacts with analytic tool and how that engagement information can be matched.

[This post by Sahil Sharma first appeared on LinkedIn and has been reproduced with permission.]

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