Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) have become the ultimate test of speed, engagement, and conversion for mobile apps. During these high-traffic days, millions of users open retail, fintech, travel, and e-commerce apps to browse flash deals and limited-time offers. Yet, with so much noise, the real challenge isn’t just driving downloads, it’s ensuring users reach the right screen at the right time.
That’s where deep linking becomes the game-changer.
Deep links allow brands to connect users directly to in-app content, skipping generic home screens and sending them exactly where they need to go: a product page, flash sale, or cart checkout. When executed well, deep linking doesn’t just improve user experience, it supercharges engagement, retention, and sales, especially during BFCM campaigns when every click counts.
The BFCM Challenge: Converting Attention Into Action
BFCM campaigns typically run across multiple channels, emails, push notifications, ads, social media, and influencers. However, one major challenge remains consistent: Most users drop off between seeing an offer and actually completing the action (like purchasing or signing up).
This drop-off usually happens because of:
- Users being redirected to the wrong page (e.g., home screen instead of sale page).
- Needing to re-login or navigate manually after app install.
- Confusing multi-step onboarding before reaching the intended offer.
During BFCM, when attention spans are short and competition is fierce, these issues can kill conversions instantly.
Deep linking eliminates these friction points, creating a direct and contextual path from marketing to conversion.
How Deep Linking Boosts BFCM Campaign Performance
<H3>1. Drive Instant Engagement from Ads and Emails
Most paid campaigns (Google Ads, Meta, or influencer links) lead users to a landing page or app store listing. Deep links can skip this entirely by taking users straight into the in-app deal or product they clicked on.
Example:
A user sees an Instagram ad for “50% off sneakers.”
Without deep linking: They click → go to the app → search manually → get distracted.
With deep linking: They click → land directly on the sneakers page → add to cart → purchase.
That single skip from manual navigation to direct engagement can increase conversion rates by 40–60% during sales events.
2. Recover Abandoned Carts and Incomplete Sessions
Deep linking can also re-engage users who dropped off mid-purchase. By sending personalized re-engagement links (via email or SMS), you can bring them back to their exact cart or checkout flow.
Example:
“Still thinking about your purchase? Your cart is waiting — and it’s now 10% off!”
A deep link brings the user back to their saved cart, reducing the friction of restarting the buying process.
3. Cross-Platform Continuity
During BFCM, users switch between devices, browsing deals on mobile and completing purchases on desktop. Deep linking ensures that no matter where they start, they can pick up right where they left off once they switch platforms or install the app.
This continuity is crucial for ensuring consistent user experience and maximizing conversion touchpoints.
4. Boost App Installs and Retention
Deferred deep linking (supported by solutions like AppLink by AppsOnAir) ensures that even if the app isn’t installed when a user clicks the link, they’ll be redirected to the right content after installation.
Example:
A user clicks a “Shop 70% Off Electronics” ad.
If they don’t have the app, they’re taken to the App Store → download → open → land directly on the electronics sale page.
This not only improves installs but also creates a seamless onboarding flow that feels intentional and personalized, boosting retention rates.
5. Create Personalized Campaign Journeys
Deep links can carry custom parameters like campaign name, user ID, or offer type, helping marketing teams track exactly which campaigns drive engagement.
For example:
- applink.appsonair.com/deals?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=bfcm2025
This allows you to track which source or ad creative performs best, and personalize follow-ups based on user behaviour.
Real-Time Use Case: How Brands Use Deep Linking During BFCM
Imagine an e-commerce brand running a 48-hour flash sale on electronics.
They use:
- Instagram ads targeting mobile users with deep links to specific product pages.
- Email campaigns with “continue shopping” deep links that reopen abandoned carts.
- Push notifications that link directly to sale countdown timers.
The result?
Users don’t just open the app, they land exactly where the action happens. This reduces bounce rates, improves time-to-purchase, and directly impacts total revenue during the campaign window.
How AppLink by AppsOnAir Supercharges Deep Linking for BFCM
AppsOnAir’s AppLink is designed to simplify deep linking for teams looking to scale during seasonal campaigns like BFCM.
Here’s how it gives your marketing team an edge:
- Branded Links: Build trust with your own domain (no Firebase or third-party URLs).
- Unlimited Redirects: Unlike other providers, there’s no MAU or click limit — perfect for high-traffic campaigns.
- Deferred Deep Linking: Ensure first-time users land exactly on the right content even after installation.
- Campaign Tracking: Measure click-throughs, installs, and conversions from every campaign.
- Reliable & Fast: Zero link downtime even during peak traffic spikes.
This means your team can focus on scaling your campaign, not worrying about broken links or missed conversions.
Final Thoughts
BFCM isn’t just about discounts; it’s about experience.
The difference between a user clicking and buying often comes down to how frictionless their journey is.
Deep linking bridges the gap between intent and action, turning every ad, email, or notification into a direct conversion opportunity. And with tools like AppLink by AppsOnAir, you can build branded, trackable, and reliable deep linking strategies that make your BFCM campaigns faster, smoother, and more profitable.
If you’re planning your next BFCM push, don’t just plan your offers, plan your links. Because one broken link can mean one lost customer.
