Deep Links Use Cases for the OTT/ Video Streaming Industry

Narendra Thadani

• 4 min read

Your colleague talks about the gripping trailer of a new OTT entrant and shares the link with you. All excited to watch it, you click the link, expecting the first thing you will see is those electrifying glimpses of the new action flick. Instead, you are taken to the OTT’s homepage welcomed by a list of featured movies and web series. You still try searching but in vain. Finally, frustrated, you exit the platform!

In today’s hyper-competitive space, where users have multiple options, even a second of despair can repel the user. Disappointed users rarely return!

The key to retaining users and keeping them hooked is a seamless experience. This is exactly where deep links step in – a VIP pass to the content users felt intrigued with.

Eager to explore the magic of deep linking as an emerging OTT player?

  • User Acquisition

When users catch a glimpse of something exciting on social media, they want to get more of it. Thus, they click the link to see what they expect. But the link dumps them to the app’s homepage, leaving them to look for the content on their own.

OTTs are usually loaded with content, making it difficult for the user to find the desired content. Annoyed by the experience, they leave! This is life without deep linking.

Now, with deep linking, the user is taken to the content link directly if they have the app. In case they don’t, the link takes them to the app installation page and then to the content page.  So, no friction but instant service and satisfaction.

Satisfied users are easier to acquire. Deep linking helps do it.

  • Push Notifications

OTTs send push notifications about new entries. Without deep linking, the user must search for the new content themselves. This extra effort hampers the conversion rate.

However, when OTT platforms integrate deep linking, users directly go to the new season or movie. Chances are, they may even watch the trailer.

Deep linking obviously works as timely and personalized deep links embedded in push notifications reduce drop-offs and enhance engagement by driving users to the content they initially interacted with.

  • Re-engagement

You may also have users who haven’t opened your app lately. 

Again, without a deep link, no matter how incredible your offer, the user will be directed to your app’s homepage or worse, directed to nowhere. This can disappoint the already inactive user who hasn’t interacted with you for a long period.

However, deep linking helps. Deep links can help you bring them back with a compelling offer or highlight.

It can embed a smart link that takes users to the offer page or link in your application, potentially reactivating dormant users by showing them exactly what they’ve been missing – a new movie, a new web series season, or a limited-period offer!

In addition, by including deferred deep linking even if the user needs to reinstall the app, the link will still take them to the page you want the user to interact with.

  • Personalized Recommendations

OTT and video streaming platforms are popular for the recommendations they offer. They do so by providing recommendations based on a user’s history or profile.

Deep linking can work wonders in this space. 

Every recommendation sent via email, in-app banner, or notification contains a deep link that takes the user directly to specific content or a curated playlist.

This enables a hyper-personalized experience that encourages users to spend more time within the application, leading to deeper, more meaningful engagement.

  • Influencer Marketing

OTT platforms, particularly emerging ones, often run referral programs or collaborate with influencers to promote specific offers.

By integrating deep linking, you can give every influencer a unique deep link.

So, when someone clicks the link, you go directly to the promoted content or offer page. It works even if the user is required to install the application.

Besides, you can track conversions and create more personalized experiences.

Unlock the Potential of Deep Linking with ChottuLink!

For years, deep linking has been the domain of Firebase Dynamic Links. However, as the platform is up for closure on August 25, 2025, you would need an equally effective, rather more evolved deep linking alternative. ChottuLink serves as one!

We offer a seamless switch from Firebase Dynamic Links while offering various features, functionalities, and support. Some include universal compatibility, custom domain support, comprehensive deferred deep linking support, Rest API support, and advanced analytics.

Thus, while making experiences more personalized and engagements more meaningful, we also enable you to track every deep-link interaction.

So, why wait? Let your OTT or video streaming platform win hearts with frictionless interactions and experiences. Sign Up Now and prepare to unfold the true capabilities of deep linking with us!

Frequently Asked Questions

Deep links take users directly to the trailer, episode, or show they saw on social media — not the app's homepage. If the user doesn't have the OTT app installed, deferred deep linking handles the download and routes them to the exact content after install.

Push notifications for new episodes or content drops can embed deep links that take users directly to the new season or movie — skipping the search step entirely. This reduces drop-off between notification tap and content play, directly improving engagement metrics.

Yes. A re-engagement campaign can send a deep link to a new series, an expiring offer, or a curated watchlist tailored to the user's previous viewing history. Even if the user needs to reinstall the app, deferred deep linking ensures they land on the right content page.

How do deep links enable personalized content recommendations for streaming?

Every recommendation in an email, in-app banner, or push notification can carry a deep link to that specific title or curated playlist. Users tap and play — no browsing required. This hyper-personalized routing increases time-in-app and reduces recommendation-to-play drop-off.

Each influencer can get a unique deep link to the promoted content. When a viewer clicks, they go directly to the show or offer page — even if they need to install the app first. Attribution data shows exactly which influencer drove clicks, installs, and plays.