If you’re an indie app marketer, you’ve probably struggled with sharing multiple links for different platforms. One for iOS. One for Android. Maybe even one for Amazon. It gets messy—and worse, you lose tracking and momentum when your users get confused. But what if there were a smarter way to send users exactly where they need to go, using just one link?
A dynamic link or one link is basically a link which you can send everyone and they will be routed to the right place depending on how they are viewing that link. If they are in an iPhone, for example, they will be routed to the App Store; if they click it using an Android device, they will be routed to Google Play; if they are on a desktop, it’ll route to the website and so on. This is great for tracking and if you are running campaigns you do not need to send separate links so it is great way to drive traffic to wherever you want to send people to.
In this demo, I use branch.io. Here are the steps:
- Create a new app
- Link Settings – configure and encode your links to iOS, Android, Fire, desktop or a default URL.
- Social Media Display Customization – if you are sending this out to influencers or sharing in social media, you can use this for branding.
You can also do Quick Links which will allow you to create different campaigns through these simple steps:
- Create Link – set up your settings such as the name of your link
- Click Configure
This will generate a link which you can use for a specific campaign. You will be able to see clicks, installs, and other stats.
Try dynamic links or one links so you can direct potential customers to the right place.
Why Indie App Marketers Should Care
- Simplified Campaign Management: Use a single link across all your campaigns.
- Better User Experience: Users are taken to the right store automatically.
- Track Performance: Monitor clicks and optimize campaigns, even without SDK integration.
- Time-Saving: Stop duplicating links and guesswork.
Step-by-Step: Creating Dynamic Links with Branch.io
1. Sign Up and Log In – Head over to Branch.io and create a free account. No SDK installation needed for basic link creation.
2. Set Up Your App – Create a new app project inside Branch. Give it a relevant name (e.g., Calm Meditate) and skip the SDK prompt if you’re not ready for deep integration.
3. Input Platform URLs – Add your:
- iOS App Store URL
- Google Play URL
- Amazon Appstore link (if applicable)
- Desktop fallback URL (e.g., your app’s landing page)
You can also configure a default URL if device type can’t be detected.
4. Customize Social Media Display – If you’re planning to share your link on social platforms or via influencers, customize how the link preview appears.
5. Generate the Link – Once everything’s configured, save and copy your dynamic link. Test it in different browsers and devices to verify behavior.
6. Create Campaign-Specific Quick Links – Want to track performance across different channels (e.g., Tumblr, email, influencers)? Use Branch’s Quick Links to generate campaign-specific versions of your dynamic link.
Pro Tips for Indie App Marketers
- Use Quick Links for A/B Testing: Easily track which channel drives the most conversions.
- Combine with Custom Landing Pages: Offer tailored content before redirecting to the app store.
- Skip the SDK for Speed: If you only need click data, you can work without full SDK installation.
- Leverage SMS Pages: Let users enter their number and receive the download link on their phone.
Conclusion: One Link to Rule Them All
Creating a dynamic app store link may seem technical, but with tools like Branch.io, it’s fast, easy, and incredibly effective. For indie app developers running lean teams and tight budgets, dynamic links save time, improve UX, and boost campaign tracking—without the complexity.
Looking to go deeper with app marketing? Check out App Masters Academy for in-depth video courses on ASO, influencer marketing, and much more. Thousands of indie app creators have used these strategies to scale their downloads—some even doubling installs without spending a dollar more.
Don’t just share links. Share smart links.
Need help creating your first Branch dynamic link or want to optimize your campaign structure? Drop your questions in the comments or contact us directly at AppMasters.com.
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