A deep link points directly to a specific page or section inside an app or website, not just the home page
When you tap a link on your phone and it opens an app instead of your browser, or when a link takes you straight to a particular document rather than forcing you to navigate from the top level, that is a deep link at work. A deep link is a URL that bypasses the entry point (usually the home page) and sends you directly to the content you need.
The alternative is a shallow link, which points only to the main domain — like sending someone to example.com instead of example.com/documents/2024-budget. Deep links save time because they skip the navigation steps. They also matter for your workflow because they let you bookmark, share, and automate access to the exact place you work most often.
Deep links exist in two main forms. A standard deep link is a regular URL that works in a web browser and sometimes opens an app if you have it installed. A universal link (on Apple devices) or app link (on Android) is a special kind of deep link that the app developer has set up to work seamlessly — when you tap it, the system knows to open the app directly instead of asking you which one to use.
Key Takeaways
- A deep link points to a specific page or section inside an app or website, not the home page, and saves you navigation steps.
- Standard deep links work in browsers and sometimes trigger apps; universal links and app links are set up by developers to open apps automatically.
- You can create deep links by copying the full URL from the address bar or by using a share button that generates a link to the current page.
- Deep links break when the app updates, the website restructures, or the content moves, so test them before you rely on them in your workflow.
- Some apps do not support deep linking, so check whether the app you use has this feature before building it into your process.
How to find and copy a deep link
The simplest way to create a deep link is to navigate to the exact page or section you want and copy the URL from the address bar. On a phone, tap the address bar at the top of your browser, select all the text, and copy it. On a computer, click the address bar, select all, and copy. That URL is your deep link — it will take anyone (or any automation tool) directly to that spot.
Many apps and websites also have a built-in share button. When you tap or click it, you get options to copy a link, send it via email, or share it to another app. The link generated this way is usually a deep link to the current page. Some services (like Google Docs, Notion, or Slack) let you customize the link before sharing — you can choose whether it opens to a specific section, includes a comment, or requires permission to view.
If the app does not have a visible share button, look for a menu icon (three dots or lines) and search for "copy link" or "share". If neither exists, the app may not support deep linking, and you will have to navigate manually each time or find a workaround like bookmarking the page in your browser.
When deep links break and what to do about it
Deep links are fragile. They break when the website or app restructures its pages, when the app updates and changes its internal navigation, or when the content moves to a new location. A link that worked last month may return a 404 error or land you on the wrong page after an update.
To protect your workflow, test deep links before you build them into your process. If you plan to use a deep link in an automation tool, a bookmark folder, or a shared document, open it in a fresh browser window or on a different device first. If it works, note the date you tested it. If the app or website updates significantly, test again.
If a deep link breaks, your options are limited. You can try the link in a different browser or app, in case the issue is device-specific. You can navigate to the content manually and copy the new URL. Or you can contact the app or website support team to ask whether the page moved or whether deep linking is still supported. For critical workflows, consider using a bookmark or a saved search instead of relying on a single deep link.
Deep links in automation and workflow tools
Many workflow tools — like Zapier, IFTTT, or your phone's native automation app — let you paste deep links into actions. For example, you might set up a rule that opens a specific Google Sheet when you receive an email from your manager, or that sends you to a particular Slack channel when you arrive at work. These automations rely on deep links working consistently.
Before you build a deep link into an automation, confirm that the app supports it. Some apps intentionally block deep linking for security or design reasons. Test the link manually first, then set up the automation, then test the automation itself. If the link breaks later, the automation will fail silently — you may not notice until you need it.
For critical automations, keep a backup method. If your automation opens a document via deep link, also know how to navigate to it manually. If a deep link is the only way to reach something, you are vulnerable to that link breaking and leaving you stranded.
Universal links and app links: how they work differently
A universal link (iOS) or app link (Android) is a deep link that the app developer has registered with Apple or Google. When you tap a universal link on an iPhone, the system checks whether you have the app installed. If you do, it opens the app directly to that page. If you do not, it opens the link in Safari instead. This removes the step of choosing which app to use.
For this to work, the developer must have set up a file on their web server that tells Apple or Google which URLs belong to their app. If they have not done this setup, a deep link will still work, but you may see a prompt asking which app to use, or it may open in your browser instead of the app.
As a user, you do not need to do anything special to use a universal link or app link — they work the same way as any other link. The difference is invisible to you. But if a link sometimes opens the app and sometimes opens the browser, it is likely because the developer has set up universal linking for some pages but not others.
Apps that do not support deep linking
Not every app supports deep linking. Some apps are designed to start from the home screen every time, and the developer has not built the infrastructure to accept deep links. Others block deep linking intentionally for security reasons — banking apps and password managers often do this to prevent malicious links from bypassing their login screens.
Before you build a deep link into your workflow, test whether the app supports it. Open the app, navigate to the page you want, look for a share button, and try to copy a link. If no share button exists or if the link does not work when you paste it elsewhere, the app does not support deep linking. In that case, you will need to navigate manually or find an alternative app that does support it.
Some apps offer workarounds. For example, an app might not support deep links directly, but it might support opening with search parameters — you can send a link that opens the app and searches for a specific term, which gets you close to where you need to be. Check the app's help documentation or support site to see whether this option exists.
Deep links versus shortcuts and bookmarks
Deep links, bookmarks, and shortcuts all get you to the same place faster, but they work differently. A bookmark is stored in your browser and opens a page in that browser. A shortcut (on iOS) or automation (on Android) is a custom action you create that can do multiple things — open an app, fill in a form, send a message — and then navigate to a deep link. A deep link is just the URL itself.
For straightforward, one-step access, a bookmark is usually enough. For complex workflows that involve multiple steps or multiple apps, a shortcut or automation that includes a deep link is more powerful. Deep links alone are useful when you need to share access with someone else or when you are building an automation in a tool like Zapier.
The trade-off is fragility. Bookmarks break less often because they are stored locally on your device. Deep links break when the content moves or the app updates. Shortcuts and automations break when the deep link breaks. If you need something to work reliably over months or years, a bookmark is safer. If you need to share access or automate a process, a deep link is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a deep link to a specific part of a document, like a paragraph or heading?
Yes, if the website or app supports it. Many modern sites use anchor links — URLs that end with a # symbol followed by a section name, like example.com/article#section-2. When you click that link, the page scrolls to that section. Not all apps support this, so test it first. If the app does not have visible section anchors, you may not be able to link to a specific part.
What happens if I share a deep link with someone who does not have the app installed?
If you share a standard deep link, it will usually open in their browser instead. If you share a universal link or app link and they do not have the app, it will also open in their browser. Either way, they should see the same content, just in a different format. Some apps show a message asking them to install the app, but the link itself still works.
Can I use a deep link in a password-protected document or app?
A deep link will take you to the page, but if that page requires a password or login, you will see the login screen first. The link itself does not bypass authentication. Some apps let you share a link with specific permissions so others can view it without logging in, but that is a sharing feature, not a deep link feature.
Do deep links work the same way on desktop and mobile?
Usually yes, but there are differences. On desktop, a deep link opens in your browser. On mobile, it might open in the app if you have it installed. Some apps format their content differently on mobile, so the same deep link might look slightly different depending on your device. Test the link on both if you plan to share it widely.
How do I know if a link is a deep link or just a regular link?
You cannot always tell by looking. A deep link is just a URL. The difference is where it points — a deep link points to a specific page or section, while a shallow link points to the home page. The only way to know is to follow the link and see where it takes you, or to look at the URL itself and see whether it includes a path beyond the domain name.