iOS 9: Deep-Linking Makes Line Between Web and Apps Even Thinner

Apple’s new operating system, iOS 9, for mobile devices (including iPhones and iPads) has made the line between websites and apps even thinner. The way that this advancement in application technology has been reached is through “deep-linking,” the embedding of website elements within an app to make it more user-friendly and fluid. 

This will make SEO in Utah and elsewhere even better and easier as well.

It can become frustrating and toilsome when an app you have downloaded and installed on your mobile phone takes you all over your device. It is much better when an app is solid and competent enough that everything you need to do within the app is actually within the app. This is how it should be.

Apple noticed that some of their apps weren’t working correctly. They were taking users to Web browsers, like Safari, to complete certain commands. After doing some tweaking with the servers, Apple was able to embed the links deep within the apps, which in turn made app usage smoother.

To put it in simple terms, app developers are designing tailored browsers that will keep the users within the boundaries of their applications. Facebook is one of the first apps to receive this upgrade. When a link is clicked in Facebook, the user is now kept inside and taken to another part of the app, rather than a Web browser. This is a great move that will help SEO progress forward as well.

SEO companies in Utah and elsewhere are also noticing this improvement and are taking advantage of it with their own brands. It is crucial that they do so because if they do not, they will be left behind and will be deemed outdated.

There are a few flaws with the iOS system, however, which may be due to Apple and their distaste for too much user customization. According to an article put out by SlashGear.com, “What’s interesting about deep-linking is that it could offer developers an interesting workaround for iOS’ lacking support for setting different default apps.” iOS only allows specific apps to complete certain tasks.

However, the article continues, “On Android, for instance, users can set their choice of app—whether Google’s default or a third-party alternative—that opens, such as when a calendar link is tapped or a text message replied to… iOS doesn’t allow for that explicitly, but with deep-linking, the lines between web content, shared links and local apps could be even further blurred from how they are today.”

If Apple were to allow more customization, this line could become even thinner, and maybe even obsolete. Think about how this would influence SEO companies in Utah and worldwide, along with their content. It would all be much simpler.

Rhett Ahlander writes for Fusion 360, an advertising agency in Utah. He writes for many other clients as well.