What are Deep Links?
Deep links are special URLs that can open specific content directly in mobile apps. They create seamless connections between websites and mobile applications, allowing users to access specific in-app content directly from web links.
Deep Linking Approaches
There are two main approaches to deep linking:
1. URL Schemes (Traditional)
URL Schemes are the traditional way to deep link. They are:
- Easy to implement and test
- Work immediately after configuration
- No server-side setup required
- Limited security (can be hijacked)
- No fallback if app isn't installed
- May show prompts to users
2. Universal Links/App Links (Modern)
Universal Links (iOS) and App Links (Android) are the modern standard. They are:
- More secure and verifiable
- Seamless fallback to web content
- Better user experience (no prompts)
- Protected against URL scheme hijacking
- Require server-side configuration
- May take 24-48 hours to propagate due to caching