Implementing Branded Links

• Branded Links are implemented by pointing a full domain to AppsFlyer servers, as depicted in the figure that follows.
• If you are configuring the DNS yourself, the following are the instructions for setting CNAMEs in some significant providers: AWS Route53, GoDaddy, HostGator, Bluehost, SiteGround.

Branded link points to AppsFlyer servers using CNAME

Before you begin: 

• You need an active OneLink template.
• Prepare the contact details of the DNS admin.

To set up and test the full domain:

1. Retrieve the subdomain name used in AppsFlyer OneLink:
   1. In AppsFlyer, go to OneLink Templates.
   2. Select a template.
      The OneLink template displays.

      

2. In the table that follows:
   1. Record the OneLink subdomain name, in the location marked ➁
   2. Record the name of the full domain the DNS admin must create. Use the location marked ➀. This should take the form subdomain.domain. For example, click.abcdef.com
      

      Information for the DNS admin

      Parameter for DNS admin	Information from the marketer
      Points to (destination)	Record the OneLink subdomain precisely as it appears in the OneLink template. Example: abcdef.    ➁_____________________.customlinks.appsflyer.com
      Full domain (host)	The full domain. Example: The full domain is click.abcefef.com where abcdef.com is the domain.   ➀________________________________________

3. The DNS admin needs to:
   1. Create the full domain.
   2. Set a CNAME record that points the ➀ full domain to the ➁____________________.customlinks.appsflyer.com
4. Test the CNAME as follows:
   1. Go to whatsmydns.

      

   2. Fill in the ➀ full domain.
   3. Select CNAME.

   4. Click Search. 

      

   5. Do one of the following:

      1. If all the responses are red crosses, it means the test failed.
         - Wait an hour; it can take some time for CNAME settings to propagate.
         - Request that the DNS admin troubleshoot. 

      2. If most of the test results are a green tick mark, the CNAME pointer is functioning correctly. 
         You have successfully completed the procedure. 

To map your full domain to a OneLink subdomain:

1. Go to Engagement & Deep Linking > Branded Links.
2. Click Add branded link.
3. In the Brand Domain field, enter your full domain. For example, click.abcdef.com.
4. Select the OneLink subdomain. 
5. Click Add. 

Editing enables you to change the mapping of an existing full domain to a different OneLink subdomain. There is no need to set a CNAME. 

To edit a branded link mapping:

1.  Go to Engaging & Deep Linking > Branded Links.
2. Select the Action command.
3. Select Edit.

To delete a branded link mapping: 

1. Go to Engaging & Deep Linking > Branded Links.
2. Select the Action command.
3. Select Delete.

• Use the following SDK versions:
  
  • Android V4.10.1 and later
  • iOS V4.10.1 and later
  • User invite referral (invite a friend) requires SDK version V5.2.0 and later for both iOS and Android 

Branded Links SDK implementation considerations

• When deep linking takes place using Branded Links, the AppsFlyer SDK can't get conversion data for installs and deep linking.
• To overcome this, the developer uses the setOneLinkCustomDomain SDK API.
• This API queries the branded link, gets the OneLink to which it is mapped, and finally queries the OneLink to get conversion data.

public class AFApplication extends Application {

    @Override
    public void onCreate() {
    super.onCreate();

      AppsFlyerConversionListener conversionListener = new AppsFlyerConversionListener() {

        // implement AppsFlyerConversionListener callbacks 
        // see https://support.appsflyer.com/hc/en-us/articles/207032126#integration-32-initializing-the-sdk

      }
      
      // set branded link domain
      AppsFlyerLib.getInstance().setOneLinkCustomDomain("promotion.greatapp.com");
      AppsFlyerLib.getInstance().init(AF_DEV_KEY, conversionListener, this);
      AppsFlyerLib.getInstance().startTracking(this, AF_DEV_KEY);

    }
}

AppsFlyerLib.getInstance().setOneLinkCustomDomain("promotion.greatapp.com", 
                                                        "click.greatapp.com", 
                                                        "deals.greatapp.com");

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions {
    /** APPSFLYER INIT **/
    [AppsFlyerTracker sharedTracker].appsFlyerDevKey = @"SED_DEV_KEY";
    [AppsFlyerTracker sharedTracker].appleAppID = @"123456789";
    [AppsFlyerTracker sharedTracker].oneLinkCustomDomains = @[@"promotion.greatapp.com"];
    //...
    //...
  }

[AppsFlyerTracker sharedTracker].oneLinkCustomDomains = @[@"promotion.greatapp.com", @"click.greatapp.com"];

   func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions 
        launchOptions: [UIApplicationLaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool {
          AppsFlyerTracker.shared().appsFlyerDevKey = "6CQi4Be6Zs9oNLsCusPbUL"
          AppsFlyerTracker.shared().appleAppID = "340954504"
          AppsFlyerTracker.shared().oneLinkCustomDomains = ["example.com"]
          //...
          //...
   }

AppsFlyerTracker.shared().oneLinkCustomDomains = ["promotion.greatapp.com", "click.greatapp.com"]

Prerequisites:

Before using and testing Branded Links complete the steps in the Branded Links workflow. 

To create and test branded links:

1. Create a custom attribution link using the OneLink configuration mapped to the branded link.
2. Copy the custom attribution link to a text editor.
3. The custom attribution link is made up of a OneLink subdomain, OneLink ID, and custom Link ID. Replace the OneLink subdomain with the Branded Link full domain. Example:
   

   Custom attribution link	Branded link
   abcdef.onelink.me/A1bc/dc1234ef	click.abcdef.com/A1bc/dc1234ef

4. Use the branded link to test installs and deep linking.
5. If you use raw data reports as part of the testing, the Original URL field is populated by the branded links.