How it works

The short version

You create a link in admin
        │
Someone taps  https://dl.aquagen.co.in/d/ABCD1234
        │
Link handler  ── records the click (deep_link_click) and sends them on
        │
App or website ── looks the link up by its id, merges what is in the URL
        │
They land on the right screen  ── records deep_link_handled

The URL only carries an id. Where the link goes is stored on the server. That is why you can change it or switch it off after sharing.

Step by step

1. The tap. The link handler (dl.aquagen.co.in) reads the site prefix and the link id, records a click, and passes utm and data along.
2. The landing. Depending on the prefix and the device, they arrive in the app or a website (table below). On a website, the handler passes the link over in a short-lived cookie, so the address stays clean (just web.aquagen.co.in) and cannot be reopened later from browser history. If the browser blocks cookies, it falls back to ?link= in the address.
3. The sign-in. If they are not signed in, the app waits. After they sign in, it continues.
4. The lookup. The app asks the server for the link by id. If the link is switched off or deleted, they see "This link is no longer active".
5. The merge. The app combines the saved link with the extras in the URL (see URLs and data).
6. The open. The app opens the destination and records deep_link_handled.

Where does it open?

The first part of the URL, the prefix, decides the site. It comes from Opens on when the link was created.

Prefix	Opens	On a phone without the app
d	AquaGen: the mobile app if installed, or the website on desktop	Play Store or App Store
ar	AquaRecycle website	Website (no mobile app)
lp	LakePulse website	Website (no mobile app)
rwi	Rain Water Intelligence website	Website (no mobile app)
i	Nothing: an invisible image that counts email opens	n/a (see Email pixel)

Note: after someone installs the app from the store, the original link is not remembered. They open the app normally.

Test links

A link created with Test link on has an id that starts with TEST_. It follows the same flow, and the person lands in the same place, but no Mixpanel events are recorded: no click, no handled, no email-open. Use them to check a link before sharing the real one.

A link cannot be changed between test and normal after it is created. In the list, use Show to see only test links or hide them.

The mobile app

The mobile app does not have every screen, so by default it does not follow links. It opens its home page. Turn on Works in the mobile app for links that should work there.

Even when it is on, a feature the mobile app does not have opens home. The feature list shows which ones the mobile app also has.