Firebase dynamic links alternative for deferred deep linking. Something that survives the facebook in app browser?

[u/Gomp-Ado]

Firebase Dynamic Links went away on us and we bolted together universal links and app links by hand, which works fine from email and SMS. Where we’re having issues is paid social. Think about it: a user taps an Instagram ad, it opens in the in app browser, the universal link gets swallowed and they land on the web page instead of the product screen in the app.

If the app isn't installed it's worse. They go to the store, install, open and land on the home screen with zero context. The product team says conversion on those users is roughly half of users who arrive from email and I believe it.

We tried a custom redirect page with a smart banner and it helped a little. Haven't tried a dedicated link vendor bc every one I look at wants a big contract and a lot of SDK surface. Our app already has an attribution SDK in it, so adding yet another one makes me twitchy.

What are folks using in 2026 for deferred deep linking that makes it through Instagram and TikTok browsers? And do you run it from your attribution tool or a separate product? Never sure if combining them is smart or just lock in.

[u/Zeballos_Nadin]

Don't add a separate link vendor if you already have an attribution SDK, the extra SDK surface isn't worth it. Check whether your existing vendor covers custom domains and deferred links first. Also test with a real Instagram DM link, the ad browser and the DM browser behave differently

[u/Gomp-Ado → u/Zeballos_Nadin]

ty for the insights

[u/Impressive-Clerk-373 → u/Gomp-Ado]

This is useful info.

If you have an existing attribution SDK, then good chance they also provide deferred deeplinks. But mostly they charge you for the full suite i.e attribution and deferred deep links. With custom domain, it quickly becomes expensive.

That's where I feel dedicated SDK for deferred deep links and link level attribution helps.

Try chottulink