Set up and edit ad group deferred deep linking

Ad group deferred deep links (DDL) allow you to specify at an ad group level the in-app page that your users will first find after they install and open your app. Without DDL, your user would view and click on your ad, install your app and then be taken to the home screen or start page of your app.

With DDL, you can designate a deep link that’s related to the theme, category or topic of your ad group, and users will be taken there immediately after they click on your ad and install or open your app. To maintain context for the user, the user must install and open the app within 24 hours to be taken to the deep link within the app.

This article gives an overview of how to set up and edit ad group deferred deep links.

Note: Ad group deferred deep links are only available on Android.

Instructions

How to set up ad group deferred deep links

To set up ad group deferred deep links, follow these steps:

Steps to set up ad group deferred deep links

1. Implement deep links through custom schema or Android App Links

We only support custom schema and Android App Links with DDL. Links like 3P deep links or 'smart links' aren’t supported. Learn more about deep links

If an unsupported deep link type is submitted, an error screen will surface:

Test your deep link using the deep link validator.

2. Enable deferred deep links in your app measurement SDK (either Google Analytics for Firebase or a supported App Attribution Partner (AAP))

Learn how to enable deferred deep linking in your measurement SDK

3. Add deferred deep links to the relevant ad group

1. Sign into your Google Ads account.
2. Follow the instructions found in Create an App campaign until step 13.
3. When setting up ad assets, in the 'app URL' field (under 'Advanced Options'), specify the URL of the app specific page to direct users to after app installation.

How to edit ad group deferred deep links

Note: The instructions below are part of the new design for the Google Ads user experience. To use the previous design, click the 'Appearance' icon, and select Use previous design. If you're using the previous version of Google Ads, review the Quick reference map or use the Search bar in the top navigation panel of Google Ads to find the page that you’re searching for.

1. In your Google Ads account, click the Campaigns icon .
2. Click the Campaigns drop-down in the section menu.
3. Click Ad groups.
4. Click on the ad group that you want to edit.
5. Click the edit icon and update the URL in the 'app URL' field under 'Advanced Options'.
6. Click Save.

Reporting for ad group deferred deep links

Reporting for ad group deferred deep links are available as part of asset reporting. The deferred deep link will be listed as an asset where you’ll be able to find impressions, clicks and others associated with the deep link. Performance stats are associated with the app install and not the deferred deep link open. For example, if the user doesn’t open the app within 24 hours of clicking the ad, they’ll be taken to the generic home page.