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Programmatically generate links at scale to support all of your campaigns

Overview

Branch's Deep Linking API is a powerful tool for all things Branch Links. With the Deep Linking API, you can generate links in bulk while also tagging them appropriately based on channel, or other analytics tags.

Benefits

With the Deep Linking API, you can both create and update Branch Deep Links in bulk. You can also read information from previously created Deep Links, as well as delete Deep Links.

Limitations

Request TypeMax Requests Per SecondMax Requests Per MinuteMax Requests Per Hour
PUT1001,00010,000
POST20012,000300,000

Please note this equates to ~83 requests per second.
GET1005,500100,000

Try It!

Try out the Deep Linking API in your browser, using your Branch data:

Create a Deep Link URL

Create Deep Link URLs in Bulk

Delete Existing Deep Link URL

Read Existing Deep Link URL

Update Existing Deep Link URL

Getting Started

Prerequisites

In order to use the Deep Linking API, you first need to:

  1. Be a Self-Serve Customer or an Enterprise Customer.
  2. Create a Branch Dashboard.
  3. Set appropriate user permissions in your Branch account. If you want to access the DELETE method for this endpoint, you will need both App-Level and Sensitive Data permissions.

Access

Calls to the Deep Linking API require your Branch Key.

Sometimes, your Branch Secret is also required.

Both your Branch Key and your Branch Secret can be obtained through your Branch Dashboard Account Settings.

NOTE: If you want to access the DELETE method for this endpoint, you will need both App-Level and Sensitive Data permissions. Learn more in the Authentication section.

Learn more about your Branch Account Profile here.

Authentication

To use the DELETE request associated with this API, you also need to pass an API key (also called Access Token). API keys are generated on a per-user basis and are permanent.

Learn more about retrieving your API key here.

Usage

Create a Deep Link URL

Request Info

Export Request

POST /v1/url
Content-Type: application/json
Body: JSON parameters
Host: api2.branch.io

Request Headers

HeaderValueRequired
content-typeapplication/jsonYes
acceptapplication/jsonYes

Request Body Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRequired
branch_keyThe Branch Key of the originating app, found in the Settings tab of your Branch Dashboard.Yes
dataThe dictionary to embed with the link. Accessed as session or install parameters from the SDK.

Use the data dictionary for all link control parameters.

You can also use it for additional link data keys. Note that you can set campaign, tags, channel, feature, and stage as top level parameters, or you can set them inside the data object using the ~prefix. Preference is given to the top level parameter setting.
No
campaignThe name of the campaign associated with your link.No
tagsA free form entry with unlimited values of type string. Use it to organize your link data with labels that don't fit under other keys.No
channelThe route that your link reaches your users by.

For example, tag links with "Facebook" or "LinkedIn" to help track clicks and installs through those paths separately.
No
featureThe feature of your app associated with the link.

For example, if you built a referral program, you would label links with the feature "referral".
No
stageThe progress or category of a user when the link was generated.

For example, if you had an invite system accessible on "level 1", "level 3", and "level 5", you could differentiate links generated at each level with this parameter.
No
aliasInstead of Branch's standard encoded short URL, you can specify a vanity alias. For example, instead of a random string of characters/integers, you can set the vanity alias as .app.link/example.

NOTE: If you send a POST request to this endpoint with the same alias, and a matching set of other POST parameters to an existing aliased link, the original will be returned to you. If it clashes and you don't specify a match, a HTTP 400 error will be returned.

WARNING: Non-letter characters should not be used in the alias, with the exception of forward slashes /, underscores _, and hyphens -. The max limit for a vanity alias is 128 characters.
No
typeSet to 0 by default, which represents standard Branch Links created via the Branch SDK.No
durationMatch duration in seconds. Default is set to 7200 (2 hours).

This is the time that Branch allows a click to remain outstanding and be eligible to be matched with a new app session.

Only set this key if you want to override the match duration for Branch Deep Link matching.
No

Response Info

Response Body Parameters

ParameterDescription
urlThe URL created by this endpoint.

Example Request & Response

curl -XPOST https://api2.branch.io/v1/url -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
  "branch_key": "key_live_00000000000000",
  "channel": "top_level_channel",
  "data": {
    "~creative_id": "data_creative_0000",
    "~campaign": "winter_product_launch",
		"$canonical_url": "https://www.example.com",
		"$og_title": "Title from Deep Link",
		"$og_description": "Description from Deep Link",
		"$og_image_url": "https://www.lorempixel.com/400/400/",
		"$desktop_url": "https://www.desktop-example.com",
		"custom_boolean": true,
		"custom_integer": 1243,
		"custom_string": "everything",
		"custom_array": [1,2,3,4,5,6],
		"custom_object": { "random": "dictionary" }
  }
}'
{
  "url": "https://example.app.link/WgiqvsepqF"
}

Bulk Create Deep Link URLs

Request Info

Export Request

POST /v1/url/bulk/{branch_key}
Content-Type: application/json
Body: JSON parameters
Host: api2.branch.io

For more details on how to create Branch Deep Links, see our guide .

Request Headers

HeaderValueRequired
content-typeapplication/jsonYes
acceptapplication/jsonYes

Request Path Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRequired
branch_keyThe Branch Key of the originating app, found in the Settings tab of your Branch Dashboard.Yes

Request Body Parameter

ParameterDescriptionRequired
Branch Parameters A JSON array of objects. Each object represents a Branch Deep Link (see Create a Deep Link URL for structure).

Learn more about configuring Branch Deep Links here .
No

Limitations

Please note that there is a 100KB limit on request payload size for bulk Deep Link creation.

Response Info

Response Parameters

ParameterDescription
urlAn array of Branch Deep Link URLs.
errorError(s) if there are invalid params.

Example Request & Response

curl -XPOST https://api2.branch.io/v1/url/bulk/key_live_XXX -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '[
  {
    "channel": "facebook",
    "feature": "onboarding",
    "campaign": "new product",
    "stage": "new user",
    "tags": ["one", "two", "three"],
    "data": {
    "$canonical_url": "https://www.example.com",
    "$og_title": "Title from Deep Link",
    "$og_description": "Description from Deep Link",
    "$og_image_url": "https://www.lorempixel.com/400/400/",
    "$desktop_url": "https://www.desktop-example.com",
    "custom_boolean": true,
    "custom_integer": 1243,
    "custom_string": "everything",
    "custom_array": [1,2,3,4,5,6],
    "custom_object": { "random": "dictionary" }
    }
  },
  {
    "channel": "linkedin",
    "data": {
    "~creative_id": "data_creative_0001",
    "~campaign": "fall_feature_launch",
    "$canonical_url": "https://www.example.com",
    "$og_title": "Title from Deep Link",
    "$og_description": "Description from Deep Link",
    "$og_image_url": "https://www.lorempixel.com/400/400/",
    "$desktop_url": "https://www.desktop-example.com",
    "custom_boolean": true,
    "custom_integer": 1243,
    "custom_string": "everything",
    "custom_array": [1,2,3,4,5,6],
    "custom_object": { "random": "dictionary" }
    }
  }
]'
[
  {
    "url": "https://example.app.link/0AjuiLcpqF"
  },
  {
    "url": "https://example.app.link/5IULiLcpqF"
  },
  { 
    'error': 'error message'
  }
]

Delete Existing Deep Link

Request Info

Export Request

DELETE /v1/url
Content-Type: application/json
Body: JSON parameters
Host: api2.branch.io

Request Headers

HeaderValueRequired
Access-TokenKey that encapsulates the user's permission with regards to an organization. Obtained from the Branch Dashboard. Needed for authentication .Yes
acceptapplication/jsonYes
content-typeapplication/jsonYes

Request Body Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRequired
urlThe Branch Deep Link URL to be deleted.Yes
app_idThe Branch app_id associated with the Branch Deep Link URL to be deleted.Yes

Limitations

Please note that this endpoint is not available in test environments.

Response Info

Response Parameters

ParameterDescription
urlThe relevant Branch Deep Link URL.
deletedReturns true if the URL has been successfully deleted, false if not.

Example Request & Response

curl -X DELETE \
'https://api2.branch.io/v1/url?url=https://example.app.link/ABCD&app_id=YOUR_APP_ID' \
  -H "Access-Token: YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN"
{
  "url": "https://example.app.link/ABCD",
  "deleted": true
}

Read Existing Deep Link

Request Info

Export Request

GET /v1/url
Content-Type: application/json
Body: JSON parameters
Host: api2.branch.io

Request Headers

HeaderValueRequired
content-typeapplication/jsonYes
acceptapplication/jsonYes

Request Query Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRequired
branch_keyThe Branch Key of the originating app, found in the Settings tab of your Branch Dashboard.Yes
urlThe Branch Deep Link URL you want read.Yes

Response Info

Response Parameters

ParameterDescription
A JSON ObjectA JSON object containing Deep Link properties .

Example Request & Response

curl -XGET 'https://api2.branch.io/v1/url?url=https://example.app.link/WgiqvsepqF&branch_key=key_live_kaFuWw8WvY7yn1d9yYiP8gokwqjV0Swt'
{
  "campaign": "new product",
  "channel": "facebook",
  "feature": "onboarding",
  "stage": "new user",
  "tags": [
    "one",
    "two",
    "three"
  ],
  "data": {
    "$canonical_identifier": "content/123",
    "$desktop_url": "http://www.example.com",
    "$og_description": "Description from Deep Link",
    "$og_image_url": "http://www.lorempixel.com/400/400/",
    "$og_title": "Title from Deep Link",
    "$one_time_use": false,
    "custom_array": [
      1,
      2,
      3,
      4,
      5,
      6
    ],
    "custom_boolean": true,
    "custom_integer": 1243,
    "custom_object": {
      "random": "dictionary"
    },
    "custom_string": "everything",
    "~campaign": "new product",
    "~channel": "facebook",
    "~creation_source": 0,
    "~feature": "onboarding",
    "~id": "423196192848102356",
    "~stage": "new user",
    "~tags": [
      "one",
      "two",
      "three"
    ],
    "url": "https://example.app.link/WgiqvsepqF"
  },
  "type": 0,
  "alias": null
}

Update Existing Deep Link

🚧

Link Update Restrictions

There are certain restrictions when attempting to update links:

  • Not all links can be updated, namely links with the structure of bnc.lt/c/ or bnc.lt/d/.
  • The following fields cannot be updated:
    • alias (for example, you cannot change https://bnc.lt/test to https://bnc.lt/test1)
    • identity
    • type
    • app_id
    • randomized_bundle_token
    • domain
    • state
    • creation_source
    • app_short_identifier

Request Info

Endpoint

PUT /v1/url
Content-Type: application/json
Body: JSON parameters
Host: api2.branch.io

Request Headers

HeaderValueRequired
content-typeapplication/jsonYes
acceptapplication/jsonYes

Request Query Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRequired
urlThe Branch Deep Link URL you want updated.Yes

Request Body Parameters

🚧

Data Object Override

Make sure to include all of the Deep Link's data when making this request, not just the data you are changing. This is because the Branch Deep Link's data object is overwritten entirely by this API call.

ParameterDescriptionRequired
branch_keyThe Branch Key of the originating app, found in the Settings tab of your Branch Dashboard.Yes
branch_secretThe Branch Secret of the originating app, found in the Settings tab of your Branch Dashboard.Yes
dataThe dictionary to embed with the link. Accessed as session or install parameters from the SDK.

Use the data dictionary for all link control parameters.

You can also use it for additional link data keys. Note that you can set campaign, tags, channel, feature, and stage as top level parameters, or you can set them inside the data object using the ~prefix. Preference is given to the top level parameter setting.
No
campaignThe name of the campaign associated with your link.No
tagsA free form entry with unlimited values of type string. Use it to organize your link data with labels that don't fit under other keys.No
channelThe route that your link reaches your users by.

For example, tag links with "Facebook" or "LinkedIn" to help track clicks and installs through those paths separately.
No
featureThe feature of your app associated with the link.

For example, if you built a referral program, you would label links with the feature "referral".
No
stageThe progress or category of a user when the link was generated.

For example, if you had an invite system accessible on "level 1", "level 3", and "level 5", you could differentiate links generated at each level with this parameter.
No
aliasInstead of Branch's standard encoded short URL, you can specify a vanity alias. For example, instead of a random string of characters/integers, you can set the vanity alias as .app.link/example.

NOTE: If you send a POST request to this endpoint with the same alias, and a matching set of other POST parameters to an existing aliased link, the original will be returned to you. If it clashes and you don't specify a match, a HTTP 400 error will be returned.

WARNING: Non-letter characters should not be used in the alias, with the exception of forward slashes /, underscores _, and hyphens -. The max limit for a vanity alias is 128 characters.
No
typeSet to 0 by default, which represents standard Branch Links created via the Branch SDK.No
durationMatch duration in seconds. Default is set to 7200 (2 hours).

This is the time that Branch allows a click to remain outstanding and be eligible to be matched with a new app session.

Only set this key if you want to override the match duration for Branch Deep Link matching.
No

Response Info

Response Parameters

ParameterDescription
dataAn object containing data about the Branch Deep Link.
typeAn integer, usually 0, that reflects the type of the Branch Deep Link.

Example Request & Response

curl -XPUT 'https://api2.branch.io/v1/url?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexample.app.link%2F5IULiLcpqF' -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
  "branch_key": "key_live_000000000",
  "branch_secret": "secret_live_00000000000",
  "channel": "twitter",
  "data":{
    "name":"alex",
    "user_id":"12346"
  }
}'
{
  "data": {
    "+url": "https://example.app.link/5IULiLcpqF",
    "~creation_source": 0,
    "user_id": "12346",
    "$one_time_use": false,
    "~id": "423196096467215333",
    "name": "alex",
    "~campaign": "new product",
    "~channel": "twitter",
    "$identity_id": "755468067194863158",
    "~stage": "new user",
    "~feature": "onboarding",
    "url": "https://example.app.link/5IULiLcpqF"
  },
  "type": 0,
  "campaign": "new product",
  "feature": "onboarding",
  "channel": "twitter",
  "stage": "new user"
}

Appendix

Link Data Keys

You can include these keys as part of the data object in your API requests.

KeyUsage
~idThe unique ID for the link.
~creation_sourceThe source where the Branch Deep Link was created, represented by a number (passed as a string).

"0" = API
"1" = Branch Quick Link
"2" = SDK
"3" = iOS SDK
"4" = Android SDK
"5" = Web SDK
"6" = Dynamic
"7" = Third party
~tagsA free form entry with unlimited values of type string. Use it to organize your link data with labels that don't fit under other keys.
~campaignThe name of the campaign associated with your link.
~campaign_idThe ID for the campaign associated with your link.
~channelThe route that your link reaches your users by.

For example, tag links with "Facebook" or "LinkedIn" to help track clicks and installs through those paths separately.
~featureThe feature of your app associated with the link.

For example, if you built a referral program, you would label links with the feature "referral".
~stageThe progress or category of a user when the link was generated.

For example, if you had an invite system accessible on "level 1", "level 3", and "level 5", you could differentiate links generated at each level with this parameter.
~marketingPass "true" to indicate this is a Quick Link.
~link_typeThe Branch link type (Deep, Quick, or Ad).
~agency_idThe ID of the relevant agency.
~quick_link_template_idThe ID of the Branch Quick Link template you are using.
~ad_link_template_idThe ID of the ad link template you are using.
~advertising_partner_nameThe name of the relevant advertising partner, such as "Facebook".
~creative_nameThe creative name specified for the last attributed touch.
~customer_placementThe customer specified placement of the last touch. This is the actual app or website that the ad appears on display campaigns.
~ad_set_nameThe ad set name specified for the last attributed touch.
~ad_set_idThe ad set ID specified for the last attributed touch.
~branch_ad_formatPossible values:
"Cross-Platform Display"
"App Only"
~secondary_ad_formatSpecify an ad format to help organize your analytics and make it faster to set up web fallbacks for your link.

Example Automation Script

If you would like to update Branch Deep Links in bulk, combine the PUT and GET methods when creating a script.

The sample Python script below reads a 2-column CSV file, and updates a key specified in the script for all links listed in column A, with the values in column B:

import requests
import csv
import sys
import urllib
import json

def BranchUpdateModule(KeyV, SecretV, UpdateV, File):
    # Insert API key & App Secret from the Branch dashboard, and the Link data key you want to change in each link **
    branch_key = KeyV
    branch_secret = SecretV
    key_to_update = UpdateV


    # Insert filename for CSV containing links to update in first column, and values to add in second column **
    ifile = open(File, "r", encoding="utf-8")

    # Constants
    branchendpoint = "https://api2.branch.io/v1/url?url="
    reader = csv.reader(ifile, delimiter=',')


    # Uncomment the next line if you want the script to skip the first line of the CSV
    next(reader)

    # Loop through CSV
    for row in reader:

        # Retrieve link data for link being updated
        url = urllib.parse.quote_plus(row[0])
        getrequest = branchendpoint + url + "&branch_key=" + branch_key
        linkdata = requests.get(getrequest)
        jsonData = json.loads(linkdata.text)

        if linkdata.status_code != 200:
            print('Failed: {}'.format( getrequest))
            continue

        # Set credentials for update API
        jsonData["branch_key"] = branch_key
        jsonData["branch_secret"] = branch_secret

        #TODO for editing new value
        newValue = row[1]
        if key_to_update in jsonData:
            jsonData[key_to_update] = newValue
        if key_to_update in jsonData["data"]:
            jsonData["data"][key_to_update] = newValue

        if jsonData.get('type', None) is not None:
            del jsonData['type']
        if jsonData.get('alias', None):
            del jsonData['alias']
        payload = json.dumps(jsonData)
        print("\n \n payload")
        print(payload)
        putrequest = branchendpoint + url

        print(putrequest)
        r = requests.put(putrequest, json=jsonData)
        print(r.url)
        print(r)
        
    ifile.close()