Implementing Branded Domains

Setting up a Branded Domain consists of associating a full domain set in your DNS with a OneLink subdomain in AppsFlyer as depicted in the following figure. 

Branded Domain pointing to AppsFlyer servers

Before you begin:

• Choose a full domain name, for example, click.abcdef.com where abcdef.com is your brand.
  • The subdomain, for example, click, can also be customized.
• Request that the DNS admin create the full domain (aka host). 
• Request that the DNS admin set a CNAME record such that the full domain (Brand domain) points to the specified URL (aka AppsFlyer host). This is depicted in the figure Branded Link pointing to AppsFlyer servers (above). 

To map your full domain to a OneLink subdomain:

1. Go to Engagement & Deep Linking > Branded Domains.
2. Click Add Branded Domain.
3. In the Brand Domain field, enter your full domain as set in your DNS. For example, click.abcdef.com
   Do not place a period after the domain. 
4. Select the OneLink subdomain from the list that displays. 
5. Click Verify.
   The DNS settings status displays. See troubleshooting in the event of an error.
   

To verify that a Branded Domain is operational: 

1. Go to Engagement & Deep Linking > Branded Domains.
2. Select the branded link.
   The edit window opens.
3. Click Verify.
   The DNS settings status display. Both should have a green checkmark to confirm that they are correctly set in the DNS. If either has a red checkmark, contact your DNS admin.
   Note: Your DNS records MUST enable letsencrypt.org to create a certificate for your domain (CAA). 

• 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 Domains SDK implementation considerations

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

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().start(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 **/
    [AppsFlyerLib shared].appsFlyerDevKey = @"SED_DEV_KEY";
    [AppsFlyerLib shared].appleAppID = @"123456789";
    [AppsFlyerLib shared].oneLinkCustomDomains = @[@"promotion.greatapp.com"];
    //...
    //...
  }

[AppsFlyerLib shared].oneLinkCustomDomains = @[@"promotion.greatapp.com", @"click.greatapp.com"];

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

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

Prerequisites:

Before using and testing, Branded Domains complete the steps in the Branded Domains workflow. 

To create and test branded domains:

1. Create a custom attribution link using the OneLink template mapped to the branded domain.
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 Domain full domain. Example:
   

   Custom attribution link	Branded Domain
   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. 

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 domain mapping:

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

To delete a branded domain mapping: 

• Reach out to your CSM you can't do it yourself or contact hello@appsflyer.com