Every year, Branch’s Mobile Growth Awards celebrate brands that push the boundaries of mobile innovation. This white paper features the winning campaigns from leading brands around the globe, showcasing real-world strategies, creative solutions, and measurable impact across acquisition, engagement, and retention.

Featured case studies:

• Best Use of Strategic Experimentation: Payoneer
• Best Use of Data: Wonder
• Best Cross-Platform Campaign: Hallow
• Best Innovative Digital Campaign: Testbook
• Best Offline-to-Online Campaign: Max Fashion
• Best Digital Transformation Initiative: END.
• Notable Finalist: Sky
• Notable Finalist: Xfinity

See how today’s top brands are optimizing mobile growth — and apply their winning strategies to your own campaigns.

The post Award-Winning Campaigns From Today’s Leading Brands appeared first on Branch.

Event tracking gives you the insights to:

• Understand which campaigns drive high-value users, not just installs
• Pinpoint the events that lead to subscriptions, purchases, and engagement
• Optimize ad spend with real use behavior data

What’s inside: 

• The four key event categories every app should track
• Industry-specific event tracking recommendations for retail, media and entertainment, finance, QSR, and more
• How event data powers better ad performance, retention, and revenue
• Actionable insights from Branch’s mobile growth experts

You’re already tracking installs. It’s time to track what really matters.

Download the guide and start making smarter, data-backed marketing moves.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Mobile App Event Tracking appeared first on Branch.

We’ve always known the importance of well-designed websites, eye-catching social media posts, and compelling marketing campaigns. But what about the links themselves? Branded links, those customized URLs that carry your brand’s name, are no small detail — they’re a critical part of a cohesive brand identity.

Why do branded links matter so much? Because links are often your first touchpoint with users. A shortened link that reflects your brand builds trust, increases click-through rates (CTRs), and ensures consistency across your marketing efforts. And thanks to solutions like Branch, creating branded links is more accessible than ever.

What are branded links?

A branded link is a shortened URL that uses your brand’s name or a custom domain, making it easy to recognize and trust. For example: yourbrand.app.link/promo.

By putting your brand name front and center, branded links create a professional impression. They also enhance search engine optimization (SEO) rankings, improve brand recognition, and make your marketing campaigns stand out on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

Why branded links drive higher engagement

We put branded links to the test with a simple experiment.

We ran two identical Facebook ads — same audience, same budget, same content. The only difference? One ad used a generic link, while the other featured a branded short link.

Generic link in Facebook promoted post: 

Branded link in Facebook promoted post: 

When the ad included a preview image, both links performed similarly. But when we removed the preview image, the ad with the branded link saw double the CTR.

Results:

Why? Because users are more likely to click a link they trust. A branded link signals legitimacy and reinforces your brand identity, especially in text-heavy environments like social media posts, SMS texts, or emails.

Pro tip: The same principle applies to QR (quick response) codes. Customizing them with your brand’s identity, whether through colors, logos, or unique shapes, can make them instantly recognizable and build trust. A QR code that reflects your brand not only enhances visual appeal but also strengthens brand recognition and encourages engagement when scanned.

Benefits of branded links

1. Build trust and credibility

A branded domain reassures users that the link is legitimate, reducing skepticism and hesitation. It shows your attention to detail and commitment to delivering a professional experience.

2. Enhance brand awareness

Every branded link you share reinforces your brand’s identity. Over time, users begin to associate your links with your company’s name, increasing brand recognition across web pages and social platforms.

3. Boost CTRs

Studies — and our own experiments — show that branded short links can lead to higher CTRs. When users recognize and trust your links, they’re more likely to engage.

4. Improve SEO and link management

Using a custom domain name for your links not only improves SEO rankings but also gives you greater control over your link structure. With advanced link management tools, you can track performance, measure metrics, and optimize for better results.

5. Simplify user experiences

Shortened URLs are easier to read, share, and remember. A branded link is far more user-friendly than a lengthy, cluttered URL.

6. Increase app conversions

For apps or platforms running marketing campaigns, branded app links make it easy to drive users directly to the app store or app content, leading to higher install rates and better conversions.

How to get started with branded links

Getting started with branded links is easier than you might think.

1. Choose a custom domain

Branch gives you the flexibility to personalize your links with either a custom app.link subdomain or your own custom domain. For example, you can change the default subdomain to something like yourbrand.app.link or set up a fully branded domain like link.yourbrand.com.

Pro tip: If you have multiple apps under your brand, choose a subdomain that matches each app’s name for clarity. If you prefer using your own domain, pick an unused subdomain to avoid disrupting other web content.

2. Use the right tools

There are plenty of household URL shortener names out there, but creating links is just the beginning. To truly maximize their impact, you need the right tools. Branch offers deep linking and deferred deep linking capabilities to seamlessly direct users to the right content — whether inside your app or on the web.

Link-level analytics are another essential for tracking link performance and optimizing for conversions. As your business grows, scalable features like bulk link editing and link governance become critical to maintaining consistency across all marketing efforts. 

And don’t forget attribution. Most link shorteners can’t provide the level of insight you need. Attribution goes beyond just tracking where your traffic comes from — it links every touchpoint across the customer journey, including down-funnel events, and attributes them to the right source. This gives you a complete view of your marketing performance, helping you refine strategies and maximize return on investment (ROI).

3. Test and optimize

Once you’ve configured your domain or subdomain,, update your app’s settings to start using it. Incorporate your branded links into social media posts, affiliate marketing campaigns, and landing pages. Be sure to run A/B tests to measure how branded links impact key metrics and conversions so you can optimize for even better results.

Ready to transform your links?

Branded links aren’t just about looking professional — they’re about building trust, driving engagement, and creating a seamless user experience. Whether you’re promoting your app, guiding users to specific content, or sharing important pages on social media, branded links can help you create a more memorable, cohesive experience for your audience.

With Branch, you can start creating branded links today. Whether you’re sharing app links or preparing for your next marketing campaign, Branch puts your brand front and center while delivering an optimized, user-first experience. Request a demo to learn more. 

The post Do Branded Links Matter? appeared first on Branch.

Choosing a mobile measurement partner (MMP) impacts your campaign performance, attribution accuracy, and ability to navigate privacy changes. The right MMP provides clear insights, integrates seamlessly, and helps prove ROI.

What’s inside: A checklist covering essential questions for evaluating an MMP across key areas:

• Attribution and analytics: Does it track beyond installs and handle iOS privacy changes?
• Deep linking and engagement: Does it support direct and deferred deep linking?
• Tech compatibility: Will it integrate smoothly with your existing tools?
• Privacy compliance: Does it provide privacy-safe attribution and stay ahead of regulations?
• Onboarding and support: Will you get the resources needed to hit the ground running?

Make an informed decision. Use this checklist to choose an MMP that drives real results.

The post MMP Vendor Assessment Checklist appeared first on Branch.

As a refresher, deep links help people quickly get to the exact content in your mobile app they want to see — whether it’s a specific dress they want to buy or TV show they want to stream. If a user doesn’t have the app downloaded, deep links take them to the Apple or Google Play app store to download it before routing them to the relevant in-app content.

With the clock ticking down, it’s time to explore alternatives to Firebase Dynamic Links. Branch makes it easy to transition deep links from Firebase, so you can continue creating smooth, frictionless user experiences and make sure your marketing efforts are still driving customers to your app.

Branch is the top alternative to Firebase Dynamic Links

Branch links simplify the complexities of app linking across platforms like iOS and Android, as well as different channels and use cases. With Branch, you can create and manage deep links for owned, earned, and paid channels all in one place — no need for multiple tools. .

For example, businesses use Branch deep links to:

• Increase revenue by driving users from mobile web to their apps
• Boost user engagement with email deep links
• Drive app installs from offline QR (quick response) codes
• Improve return on advertising spend (ROAS) from ad campaigns

Moving from Firebase to Branch will not only ensure your deep links don’t break — it will also open up new opportunities to grow your app. 

See Branch in action 

Just need simple, reliable links?

If you have more straightforward linking needs, Branch offers easy-to-use tools that work everywhere, all the time:

• Quick Link creator to create a Branch link or QR code and customize the appearance, redirects, and other link aspects without technical know-how 
• Chrome extension to quickly create links right from your Chrome browser 
• Deferred deep linking to route users to the right in-app content after install 
• Link-level analytics and downstream event data 
• Link Templates to promote data governance and consistent link behavior
• Bulk link tools to create and manage links at scale
• Search and filtering to find, update, or replicate your best link campaigns 

More complex needs? Branch provides advanced capabilities

If your business operates at scale, manages multiple apps, runs a high volume of campaigns, or requires an enterprise-grade solution, Branch offers:

• APIs and webhooks to send event data to your marketing and analytics tools 
• Third-party integrations, including email service providers and social media platforms, to improve campaign workflows
• A mobile software development kit (SDK) to create Branch links for user shares or invitations directly from your app 
• A web SDK to create Branch links from website interactions or direct users to your app from web content
• Search engine optimization (SEO) app attribution to connect organic search with app installs and engagement 
• Scalable QR codes that let you update link destinations anytime and fully customize the design to match your brand 
• Targeted smart banners to drive users to your app from mobile and desktop web
• Out-of-the-box advanced attribution controls, including customizable attribution windows
• Customizable content previews and privacy-safe landing pages with HTML/CSS
• Deterministic and probabilistic methods to handle tricky edge cases and complex user journeys 

Branch is also the only integrated linking and measurement partner, which means you get reliable linking and attribution for your owned, earned, and paid advertising campaigns.

How to start your Firebase Dynamic Links migration plan now

We get it — the word “migration” is intimidating. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. To make the transition easier, we’ve launched a $10M migration fund to help you move from Firebase.

We also have a step-by-step guide for setting up your Branch Dashboard account and migrating links from the Firebase console. Plus, it’s free to get started and free to use in self-service mode for apps with under 10K monthly active users (MAUs).

In short, you can run Branch alongside your existing Firebase setup as you plan to migrate your links from the Firebase console, Dynamic Link Builder API, and REST API. Once you’ve integrated the Branch SDK into your app, we can detect which Branch links are leading to installs, reopens, and other user actions. When you enable the integration and complete the relevant code, Branch automatically forwards referred events to Google Firebase in the exact format Firebase expects.

Since 2014, we’ve partnered with over 100,000 apps, helping them navigate complex privacy and industry changes. We understand how disruptive the shutdown of Firebase Dynamic Links can be for your business. The good news is we’ve helped plenty of FDL customers make the switch, and we’re here to do the same for you.

To get started, request a demo with our team.

The post Firebase Is Shutting Down Dynamic Links Soon. Branch Has You Covered. appeared first on Branch.

But here’s the catch: Simply printing a QR code on a poster won’t cut it. To truly succeed, you need a strategy that delivers measurable results and keeps your audience coming back for more.

What’s inside:

• Creative campaign ideas: See how top brands are using QR codes to capture attention and boost engagement.
• Proven best practices: Learn how to design, deploy, and track QR code campaigns that actually deliver ROI.
• Must-have solution features: Find out what separates high-performing QR code solutions from the rest.
• Performance insights that matter: Discover key metrics to optimize and scale your campaigns.

Get a sneak preview: 

The post How To Create and Measure QR Codes LP carousel appeared first on Branch.

To unpack these topics further, I sat down with Amanda Vandiver, Branch’s product marketing leader, to get her expert insights and shed light on how Branch addresses these hot-button issues.

1. How does Branch Performance differ from other MMPs? 

The big question! What sets Branch Performance apart from other MMPs is how we simplify performance measurement while giving marketers a clear, unified view of their data across channels, platforms, and devices. We combine privacy-centric attribution methods with innovative features like household-level measurement and best-in-class cost ingestion to deliver the insights you need to make smarter decisions and maximize return on investment (ROI). But Branch is more than just measurement — we’re here to help you grow. As the leader in deep linking, we ensure your ad links seamlessly convert users and drive the actions that matter most, with enterprise-ready tools like ad Link Templates and bulk workflows. From robust fraud protection and advanced audience-building tools to scalable data exports and seamless ad partner integrations, we provide everything you need to optimize your strategies and focus on what really matters. 

To summarize, we prioritize privacy, compliance, and adaptability to future-proof your marketing strategies, so you can focus on making your ad budget go further while leaving the complexity to us. 

Learn more about Branch Performance

2. What kind of probabilistic data does Branch use when there’s no consent? 

Branch doesn’t play in the probabilistic gray area. Instead, we focus on aggregated data models to protect user data and preserve privacy while getting advertisers back to complete coverage. Branch leverages Predictive Aggregated Measurement (PAM) along with privacy-preserving frameworks like Apple’s SKAdNetwork (SKAN), Meta’s Aggregated Event Measurement (AEM), and Google’s GBRAID to deliver durable and privacy-safe attribution. Our dynamic models adjust to the data available, employing the most precise attribution methods for each situation.

3. Does Branch use fingerprinting? If not, how does it achieve attribution? 

Fingerprinting seeks to collect and analyze unique user data in order to track behavior, create unique user profiles, and accurately attribute conversions to specific ads, which goes against Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT). Rather than compromising privacy with fingerprinting, Branch uses securely shared, privacy-preserving aggregated data to provide a granular view of campaign performance when conversion data may be incomplete.

4. Is Branch GDPR-compliant? 

We take privacy very seriously. We’re even the first and only of our competitors to offer a HIPAA-eligible solution. Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), users have the right to object to data processing. Branch makes it simple for our customers to stop processing analytics and attribution data from users after they object. To further enable our customers, we also offer differentiated advanced data privacy controls with our Consumer Protection Preferences (CPP), which gives our customers unique, granular control over how they want to manage their user data according to their privacy needs.

5. What attribution methods does Branch use? Why? 

Branch uses several attribution methods to accurately measure and assign credit for user interactions like installs and in-app events. These methods range from direct deep linking or install referrers to SKAN and predictive modeling. To prioritize accuracy, we employ a “stack-ranked” system so that the most reliable method is applied whenever possible. Branch then opts to give credit to the most recent interaction leading to a conversion. We employ last-touch attribution by default because it is much more beneficial for evaluating campaigns focused on long-term engagement and customer lifetime value (LTV), rather than just installs​. However, we also offer flexibility, allowing customers to opt for install-touch attribution if it better suits their needs. We also provide multi-touch data for self-attributing networks (SANs), providing more insight into the true customer journey by surfacing all touchpoints that led to a conversion.

Need an MMP?

Choosing an attribution partner is a big decision, especially when privacy, user trust, and accuracy are at stake. If you’re exploring your options, check out our blog Top Questions To Consider When Choosing a Mobile Measurement Partner. 

For more details on how Branch simplifies privacy-centric attribution, book a demo with our team. 

The post FAQ: Branch’s Approach to Privacy-Centric Attribution appeared first on Branch.