Learn how deferred deep linking solves the attribution problem in mobile app marketing. Understand the difference between regular deep linking and deferred deep linking, and when to use each.
Deferred deep linking is a technology that allows users to click a link, install an app, and then be taken to the specific content they originally intended to access - even if they didn't have the app installed when they first clicked the link. It "defers" the deep link action until after the app installation is complete.
Only works if the app is already installed on the device.
User clicks link → App opens (if installed)
❌ Fails if app not installed
Works whether the app is installed or not, with perfect attribution.
User clicks link → Install app → Navigate to content
✅ Always works with attribution
Traditional deep linking has a fundamental limitation: it only works when the app is already installed. This creates a significant problem for mobile app marketing and user acquisition.
User clicks a marketing link for a product in your app
App isn't installed, so they're redirected to app store
User installs app and opens it
❌ Problem: App doesn't know which product they wanted to see!
User clicks a marketing link (e.g., from email, social media, or ad)
System creates a unique fingerprint of the user's device and stores the intended destination
User is redirected to app store to install the app
User installs and opens the app for the first time
App checks for matching device fingerprint and retrieves the original intent
User is taken to the specific content they originally intended to access
The key to deferred deep linking is creating a unique "fingerprint" of the user's device that can be matched after installation:
| Feature | Regular Deep Linking | Deferred Deep Linking |
|---|---|---|
| App Installation Required | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Marketing Attribution | ❌ Limited | ✅ Complete |
| User Experience | ⚠️ Broken if app not installed | ✅ Seamless always |
| Implementation Complexity | 🟢 Simple | 🟡 Moderate |
| Use Case | Existing users | New user acquisition |
Send users directly to specific products or features in your app
Share content that opens directly in your app, even for new users
Track which ads drive the most valuable app installs
Reward users for successful referrals with perfect attribution
Drive traffic from blog posts and articles to specific app content
Track and measure influencer campaign effectiveness
Create a custom deferred deep linking solution
Leverage existing deferred deep linking platforms
Create unique device identifiers using hardware and software characteristics
Store user intent and campaign data with device fingerprints
SDK integration to check for deferred deep links on app launch
Parse stored intent and navigate to the correct app screen
Here's a simplified example of how deferred deep linking works in Flutter:
import 'package:flutter_redirectly/flutter_redirectly.dart';
class DeferredDeepLinkService {
static final FlutterRedirectly _redirectly = FlutterRedirectly();
static Future<void> initialize() async {
await _redirectly.initialize(RedirectlyConfig(
apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
baseUrl: 'https://redirectly.app',
enableDebugLogging: true,
));
// Listen for app install events (deferred deep linking)
_redirectly.onAppInstalled.listen(_handleDeferredDeepLink);
}
static void _handleDeferredDeepLink(AppInstallEvent event) {
if (event.matched) {
// This user came from a deferred deep link!
print('Deferred deep link matched!');
print('Original link: ${event.link}');
print('Username: ${event.username}');
print('Slug: ${event.slug}');
// Navigate to the intended content
_navigateToIntendedContent(event);
} else {
// This is an organic install
print('Organic install detected');
}
}
static void _navigateToIntendedContent(AppInstallEvent event) {
// Parse the original link and navigate accordingly
final uri = Uri.parse(event.link!);
if (uri.path.contains('/product/')) {
final productId = uri.path.split('/').last;
// Navigate to product page
_navigateToProduct(productId);
} else if (uri.path.contains('/user/')) {
final userId = uri.path.split('/').last;
// Navigate to user profile
_navigateToUser(userId);
}
}
}Deferred deep linking is essential for modern mobile app marketing. It solves the attribution problem and provides seamless user experiences that drive higher conversion rates and better user engagement.