What is App Store Web Referral
App Store web referral is a traffic source that includes all visitors that arrive at an app listing from an external source (mobile web), most commonly the iOS Safari browser. By tapping a link or banner ad on a mobile website, the visitor will arrive at the listing in the App Store. The volume of web referral traffic is generally controlled by the app developer or marketer through the web to app store banners, which bring high quality (actively engaging), targeted visitors to a listing.
Referral traffic brings more eyes to an app, generating new opportunities for user engagement and conversions. The tracker in the banner ad or link means app developers and marketers will gain useful insights and a better understanding of the user journey.
Why App Store Web Referral is Important
Apple enables developers via App Store Connect to measure app store performance by outlining traffic source channels such as Web referral, App referral, App Store search and App Store browse. These metrics allow developers to see where their users are coming from, which helps them strategize and optimize their marketing efforts based on data.
App Store web referrals are important as for many apps, using a link or banner is how they drive growth, from exposure to install, through mobile website traffic. it claims a large stake in how they bring visitors to a listing.
Expedia is a good example of a big brand that uses App Store web referrals; Expedia drives users by inviting them from their mobile website traffic directly into the App Store to download the Expedia app and use its service from there. Customers don’t need to browse the web when they can utilize everything Expedia has to offer (find, research and book a hotel room) from inside their app. This strengthens brand loyalty for returning customers and shows to an audience that a company has an App Store presence.
