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Branch

iOS Tracking Link Generation

Remerge utilizes the Branch click tracking link to achieve the following goals:

  • Ensure the most optimal user experience by deep linking the user directly to a specific in-app location.
  • Notify Branch of a Remerge click.

Universal Links 

In 2015, with the launch of iOS 9, Apple has introduced Universal Links to the market and changed the way deep links are handled in iOS. Universal Links have become a standard for iOS 10 and above. They are part of the deep linking ecosystem (and as such offer a deep linking functionality), yet unique to the iOS ecosystem.

Universal Links are proven to be especially beneficial when it comes to making the most of your marketing efforts. Therefore, we do kindly ask that you provide us with your Universal Links as soon as possible. The following example is taken from an active (anonymized) Remerge campaign. The evident impact on your user's experience is very much immediate, as we can attest to an instant increase in re-engagement rate, (500%!), upon the implementation of Universal Links in a client's app:

Reengagement Rate:

Screen_Shot_2019-05-07_at_3.54.08_PM.png

The following guide takes you through the process of iOS tracking link generation with Branch. Ensure to review the below-mentioned deep linking and dynamic deep linking points, after which, adhere to the steps in the accompanying guide. In case of any questions, please reach out to your Remerge Account Manager. 

General & Dynamic Deep Linking Guidelines:

  • Universal Links - Utilize Universal Links as your deep linking method. For a step-by-step implementation, please visit Branch's Universal Linking Instructions page.
  • Branch's Ad Links - Can only be created for Enabled Ad Partners. For a step-by-step guide on enabling Remerge as your Ad Partner, please visit the Enable Integration section of our Event Forwarding with Branch Guide.
  • In case your tracking link needs to be Dynamic, ensure that your final tracking link has a variable (e.g.,{product_id}) that Remerge can replace dynamically, as this enables us to reroute your users to the exact product page within the app.
  • Clients Employing Branch for Deep Linking: 
    • Branch subscribes to a client-specific deep linking method, and as such, client configuration might vary. In case of any issue encountered during the Remerge tracking link generation, please reach out to your dedicated Branch Account Manager for further support.
  • Clients not Employing Branch for Deep Linking (Branch's SDK Implemented): 
    • Utilize Branch's tracking link parameter, $canonical_url, for your iOS universal link and $deeplink_path for the custom scheme. 

1. Select your Ad Format

  • Log in to your Branch Account, go to CHANNELS & LINKS, located on the upper left-hand corner of the dashboard's menu and click on Ads > Links.
  • Click on the Create Ad Link button, located on the upper right-hand corner of the dashboard's menu.

    Screen_Shot_2019-07-10_at_3.14.10_PM.png

    Screen_Shot_2019-07-10_at_3.17.23_PM.png

  • You should be able to find the following ad format options: App Install or Engagement, Create Display Link, Create Product Link, and Create Search Link. Go to the drop-down menu of the App Only section > select App Install or Engagement.
  • Click on the Continue button, located at the bottom of the Create Ad Link section.

    Screen_Shot_2019-07-10_at_5.47.44_PM.png

2. Define Ad Link Domain & Ad Partner

  • At the top of the screen you should find Branch's tracking link generation tabs: Define, Configure Options and Validate & Share.  Go to the Define tab and select your link domain (applicable to ex-TUNE clients only) by clicking on one of the domain options located under the Which link domain would you like to use? section. You should choose your domain based on the implemented SDK (Branch SDK = Branch Domain, Tune SDK = Tune Domain). 

    • Branch - Create a link using your Branch domain. Please note: Links created with said domain utilize Branch link parameters by default.
    • TUNE - Create a link using your TUNE domain. Please note: Links created with said domain utilize TUNE link parameters/macros by default.

      Screen_Shot_2019-07-14_at_12.55.08_PM.png

  • Go to the Name your link field and type in your link name.
  • Click on the Which Ad Partner is this for? drop-down menu and select Remerge.
  • Click on the What ad format are you using? drop-down menu and ensure the selected platform is App Only.
  • Upon completion, click on the Configure Options button, located on the bottom right-hand corner.

    Screen_Shot_2019-07-14_at_1.40.25_PM.png

3. Configure Deep Linking & Analytics Data

In the Configure Options tab, provide DEEP LINKING, and REDIRECTS data. 

  • DEEP LINKING -  Enter deep linking data by following the above-mentioned deep linking guidelines as well as the specific instructions provided by your Branch Account Manager. 
  • REDIRECTS - In case your app is not/ no longer installed on a user's device, your Default Redirect option (account level redirects, set in Link Settings), should redirect users to the digital store of the platform/s on which your app is located (iOS - Apple App Store and Android - Google Play).  If this is not your Default Redirect option, please go to the REDIRECTS tab and specify the corresponding store, as displayed below. 
              Screen_Shot_2019-07-15_at_3.59.22_PM.png

  • Upon completion, click on the Create Link Now button, located on the bottom right-hand corner. Below is an example of the final tracking link:

    Screen_Shot_2019-07-15_at_4.49.02_PM.png

4. Set up your Attribution Windows

Please note: 

  • Remerge is able to configure only one window per an attribution approach. Therefore, please select ONE attribution window per CTA and ONE attribution window per VTA respectively, and follow the below recommendations:
    • CTA - Click to Conversion event, with a 30-day window.
    • VTA - Impression to Conversion event, with a 1-day window.
  • Make certain the windows you share with Remerge are not overwritten elsewhere in the system.
  • The window is selected in accordance with the event that suits your campaign needs best (e.g., click to conversion event fits most campaigns).
  • Inactivity window (employed by Branch for cohorts analysis only and not general attribution) is set to 0.

Once the above-mentioned requirements are met you may configure your attribution windows, on three possible levels: 

  • Account Level -  Go to Link Settings > ATTRIBUTION WINDOWS, as displayed below:

    Screenshot_2019-10-29_at_11.47.30.png

  • Ad Network Level - Go to Ads > Partner Management > Ad Partners > Search > Remerge > Attribution Windows, as displayed below:

    Screenshot_2019-10-29_at_12.19.58.png

    • Ensure [ ] Only attribute based on install touch is turned off, as displayed below.  Neglecting to leave this box unchecked [X] would make it impossible for Remerge to implement retargeting.

      Screenshot_2020-01-13_at_17.36.11.png

  • Link Level - Append the below parameters to the Click URL of the generated Branch Link, as displayed below. This option is only available for standard Branch links and rarely utilized.

    Screen_Shot_2019-07-25_at_6.47.08_PM.png

5. Share your Tracking Link & Attribution Windows with Remerge

Upon completion of the above-mentioned steps and prior to going live, ensure to provide your Remerge Account Manager with the following:

  • Click-Through Attribution (CTA) tracking link. 
  • View-Through Attribution (VTA) tracking link (if applicable). 
  • Screenshot of the Attribution Windows Page.
  • Confirmation on whether or not the Inactivity Window should be applied.



 

 
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