I need to be able to track referral codes for a mobile app, and I am currently using branch.io. The problem is that they require the link to be a subdomain, i.e. link.mycompany, and I would love to make it work with my root domain.
Is there another provide that would let me do this? I can configure branch.io to use the root domain, but then I can't host a simple about the app webpage.
I am using React Native + Expo, which makes things a bit more complicated, but would love to learn if there is a way.
I need to be able to track referral codes for a mobile app, and I am currently using branch.io. The problem is that they require the link to be a subdomain, i.e. link.mycompany, and I would love to make it work with my root domain.
Is there another provide that would let me do this? I can configure branch.io to use the root domain, but then I can't host a simple about the app webpage.
I am using React Native + Expo, which makes things a bit more complicated, but would love to learn if there is a way.
Share Improve this question asked Jan 31 at 16:41 ZorayrZorayr 25k8 gold badges146 silver badges138 bronze badges1 Answer
Reset to default 0iOS is notoriously strict at allowing deferred tracking i.e. let you identify the user after they installed the app. If there are gaps in the system that let devs track, Apple is quick it fixing them and blocking apps (after all, they have to protect their cash cow!). For example, a few years back, we were able to track via pixel-sized UISafariViewController, but now that's blocked too.
So companies resort to fingerprinting & fuzzy matching algorithms. Since this is hard to do, most companies end up using a service, like branch.io or appsflyer. These companies ask you to give them one of your subdomains, and they do all the matching / linking there.
Side Note 1: I suppose it's potentially possible to just let these 3rd party companies inject a script directly, but probably it's either too slow or not possible? Regardless, the standard seems to be giving them a subdomain.
The problem is that now, your app invite links now need to be: tracking.mycompany, which looks ugly. And again, there is no way to give them your root domain because you still need to host a website.
Here is one way to solve this:
- You need two universal links:
link.mysite&mysite - You can still send out
mysite?referralas your referral links, but when the user opens the app, present them with button withlink.mysite?referral. - In other words, you can use the combination of these two to provide the elusion that it works with your root domain.
Side Note 2: This gives you the simplicity of using your root domain as your referral link, but you will need to additional work if you want to immediately take them to the app store. Either that, or need to be ok with them going to your home page first, then tapping on the install link. Not sure what's the better setup.