Creating a tracker

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You can only create a tracker after you integrate the AppMetrica SDK. For more information, see Android | iOS SDK integration.

This section explains the steps for creating a tracker and getting the tracking URL. The behavior of the tracking link varies depending on these conditions:

  • If the app is already installed, it opens the app directly.
  • If the app isn't installed, it takes the user to the app store for download.

The tracking link is used in ad campaigns to monitor app installs and opens.

Note

AppMetrica features an automated solution for click spam protection. It automatically blocks trackers with a large number of clicks and abnormally low click-to-install conversion rate on a daily basis. AppMetrica won't perform attribution for these trackers. Their historical data won't change.

Step 1. Fill in the campaign details

  1. In the AppMetrica interface, go to Tracking → Create tracker.

  2. In the Campaign details block fill in all fields:

    • Pre-installing: Enable this option to create a tracker for pre-installs. Learn more about creating a tracker for pre-installs.
    • This is a remarketing tracker: A flag indicating that the tracker is being created for a [remarketing campaign](*remarketing campaign). For more information, see Creating a remarketing tracker.
    • Tracker name: A name for the tracker. After being created, the tracker is available in the list with the specified name.
    • Application: The application the tracker is being created for.
    • Media Source: The media source to attribute clicks, installs, and conversions to. You can use a tracker with media sources from the list, in any advertising network that supports tracking links, and on external sites. If the media source isn't in the list, add a new source. After being added, the new source will be saved in the list.

    Note

    Once the tracker has been created, you can't change the media source in the settings.

Step 2. Configure a SmartLink

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To track Google Ads campaigns, create a link to AppMetrica. For more information, see Tracking Google Ads campaigns.

A SmartLink is a universal tracking URL that automatically changes the destination URL and deeplink depending on the app store.

Available fields:

  • App store: Google Play, App Store (iOS), GetApps, AppGallery, Windows Phone Store, or Fallback. The destination URL will lead to the selected app store.

    Details

    GetApps. If GetApps and other stores are selected as the app store and GetApps is not installed on the user's Xiaomi device, they won't be redirected to any other app store.

    AppGallery. If AppGallery and other stores are selected as the app store and AppGallery is not installed on the user's Huawei device, they will be redirected to the web version of this store.

    Google Play. If only Google Play is selected as the app store, a user with a Xiaomi or Huawei device will be directed to Google Play.

    Use Fallback to create a destination URL for all other types of traffic. For example, you could send the user to a promo page if they clicked on the URL from a non-mobile device.

    Note

    You can choose to select only the Fallback option: this will redirect all users to the specified destination URL.

  • Destination URL: A link that leads to an app in the app store or a page where the user can install the app. For GetApps, specify the deeplink.

  • Deeplink: A link in myapp://some_data format which can be used to send data to the app. Clicking on it will make the app open, provided it is already installed.

Step 3. Configure the app redirect

  1. Android: Add a deeplink to your smartlink.

  2. iOS 12.3+: Deeplinks are no longer supported in regular tracking URLs. To ensure the link opens the app, follow the instructions to enable Universal Links support.

  3. Once you've completed the instructions, the tracker will generate an app-to-app tracking URL that you can use for both platforms.

    The app-to-app tracking URL behaves as a regular tracking URL.

    • For Android devices, the app is opened via a redirect to the regular deeplink specified in the tracker settings.
    • On iOS, the app is opened using Universal Links.

Step 4. (Optional)Configure attribution

This attribution type correctly detects the source that brought users to your app and accurately links app installs to ad interactions, whether they're a click or an impression.

For more information about attribution methods, see AppMetrica tracking technology and Impression attribution.

Available fields:

  • Fingerprint — Time interval of attribution (the time between the click and first start). AppMetrica uses it for the Device Fingerprint Matching attribution. The default value is 24 hours. Acceptable values are from 1 to 24 hours.

  • Device ID / Google Referrer — Time interval of attribution, that is used for the Device Identifier Matching attribution. The default value is 10 days. Acceptable values are from 1 to 10 days.

  • Reattribution — Attribution of reinstalls by pre-existing users. This option is disabled by default. For more information, see Attributing app installs.

    Note

    For test devices, reattribution is always enabled (regardless of the option status). For more information about adding test devices, see Testing attribution.

Step 5. (Optional)Configure postbacks

Postbacks are usually necessary when running CPI/CPA campaigns. You can add up to 5 postbacks per tracker.

Available fields:

  • Postback destination — The partner who will receive the postback. If you want to collect your own statistics, you can send the postback to your own server. To do this, add a media source.

  • Event — The target event that triggers sending the postback to the media source.

    The event may have one of several types:

    • Install postback — Send the postback after an attributed install.
    • Event postback — Send the postback after an attributed conversion.

  • Postback URL — The postback link. AppMetrica allows transmitting custom tracking parameters to the postback URL. By default, the postback URL contains parameters from the media source settings. To change the parameters, click Edit (changes will be saved in the media source settings).

    You can set the corresponding option to send the postback only for the first target event. All subsequent events will be ignored.

    Note

    Some advertising partners can set a permanent Postback URL for their network. In this case, the postback is sent to the partner regardless of other settings. It can't be edited.

  • Re-engagement window — The maximum amount of time that can pass between the install and the target event. A postback won't be sent to the media source if the target event takes more than the specified time.

  • Send postback on actions of all users — Postback will be sent for every app user's target event, regardless of the installation source.

    Note

    If you select this option, the attribution source for sending postback is ignored. The partner will receive events from all sources but without attribution parameters.

    To send both attributed and unattributed postbacks, create two postbacks: one with the enabled option and the other with the disabled option.

Step 6. Save changes and test the tracker

  1. Click the Save button at the bottom of the page. The list of all saved trackers are in the Trackers section. You can edit and archive them. The statistics from archived trackers remain available in reports.

  2. Test the tracker before launching an advertising campaign. For more information, see Testing a tracker.

Step 7. Use the created tracking link

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Don't use the target= "_blank" attribute when inserting a URL into the markup. Some browsers may block the click-through when opening a URL in a new window. Don't place the URL in the iframe element.

Note

For the URL to open an iOS app, use an app-to-app tracking link. The app must be installed.

Use the tracking URL in an ad campaign after successful testing. For this, copy the URL from the Tracking URL section.

Note

For the URL to open an iOS app, copy the URL from the app-to-app tracking link section.

In a tracking URL, you can specify predefined, static (UTM), and custom parameters that will be passed to the destination URL, deeplink, and postback URLs. For example, you can disable JavaScript redirect using the appmetrica_js_redirect=0 parameter:

https://redirect.appmetrica.yandex.com/serve/123456?appmetrica_js_redirect=0

For more information, see Parameters of the tracking URL.

For impression attribution, use the following link:

https://impression.appmetrica.yandex.com/serve/123456

See also

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