Creating Short Referrer Links

Generate short, shareable referrer links that enable user-to-user attribution and track app installs from organic referrals.

Overview

What Are Short Referrer Links

Short links transform long, parameter-filled Singular Links into compact, secure URLs convenient for sharing via SMS, social media, or in-app invitations.

Create short links dynamically so users can share them with friends to invite them to download and use your app. Each short link tracks the referring user, enabling you to measure viral growth and attribute new installs to specific advocates.

Implementation Requirements

Required Components

Gather these elements before creating a short referrer link:

• Singular Link: A base tracking link that directs users to your app download. See Singular Links FAQ for setup instructions
• Dynamic Parameters: Optional custom parameters to add context to the link. View available options in Tracking Link Parameters
• Referrer Information: Name and ID of the user sharing the link to enable attribution of new installs back to the referrer

SDK Method

CreateReferrerShortLink

Generate a short referrer link with custom parameters and a callback handler for success and error states.

Method Signature:

public static void CreateReferrerShortLink(
    string baseLink,
    string referrerName,
    string referrerId,
    Dictionary<string, string> parameters,
    Action<string, string> callback
)

Parameters:

• baseLink: The original Singular tracking link URL
• referrerName: Display name of the referring user
• referrerId: Unique identifier for the referring user
• parameters: Dictionary containing additional dynamic parameters (optional, pass null if none)
• callback: Callback function with parameters (string shortLinkURL, string error)

Usage Example

Create a short link with custom parameters and implement sharing logic in the success callback.

using UnityEngine;
using Singular;
using System.Collections.Generic;

public class ReferralManager : MonoBehaviour
{
    public void ShareReferralLink()
    {
        // Create custom parameters for the link
        Dictionary<string, string> parameters = new Dictionary<string, string>()
        {
            { "channel", "sms" },
            { "campaign_id", "summer_promo_2025" },
            { "referral_type", "friend_invite" }
        };

        // Generate the short referrer link
        SingularSDK.CreateReferrerShortLink(
            "https://sample.sng.link/D52wc/cuvk?pcn=test",  // Base Singular Link
            "John Doe",                                      // Referrer name
            "user_12345",                                    // Referrer ID
            parameters,                                      // Custom parameters
            OnShortLinkCreated                               // Callback
        );
    }

    // Callback method that receives the short link URL or error
    private void OnShortLinkCreated(string shortLinkURL, string error)
    {
        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(shortLinkURL))
        {
            // Success - short link was created
            Debug.Log($"Generated short link: {shortLinkURL}");

            // Share the link using your preferred sharing method
            ShareLink(shortLinkURL);
        }
        else if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(error))
        {
            // Error occurred during link creation
            Debug.LogError($"Error creating short link: {error}");

            // Handle error - retry or show user feedback
            ShowErrorMessage("Failed to create share link. Please try again.");
        }
    }

    private void ShareLink(string shortLinkURL)
    {
        // Example: Use Unity's native share functionality
        string shareMessage = $"Join me on this awesome app! {shortLinkURL}";

        #if UNITY_ANDROID
        ShareOnAndroid(shareMessage);
        #elif UNITY_IOS
        ShareOnIOS(shareMessage);
        #else
        // Fallback: Copy to clipboard
        GUIUtility.systemCopyBuffer = shortLinkURL;
        Debug.Log("Link copied to clipboard");
        #endif
    }

    #if UNITY_ANDROID
    private void ShareOnAndroid(string message)
    {
        using (AndroidJavaClass intentClass = new AndroidJavaClass("android.content.Intent"))
        using (AndroidJavaObject intentObject = new AndroidJavaObject("android.content.Intent"))
        {
            intentObject.Call<AndroidJavaObject>("setAction", intentClass.GetStatic<string>("ACTION_SEND"));
            intentObject.Call<AndroidJavaObject>("setType", "text/plain");
            intentObject.Call<AndroidJavaObject>("putExtra", intentClass.GetStatic<string>("EXTRA_TEXT"), message);

            using (AndroidJavaClass unity = new AndroidJavaClass("com.unity3d.player.UnityPlayer"))
            using (AndroidJavaObject currentActivity = unity.GetStatic<AndroidJavaObject>("currentActivity"))
            {
                AndroidJavaObject chooser = intentClass.CallStatic<AndroidJavaObject>(
                    "createChooser", intentObject, "Share via"
                );
                currentActivity.Call("startActivity", chooser);
            }
        }
    }
    #endif

    #if UNITY_IOS
    private void ShareOnIOS(string message)
    {
        // iOS native sharing implementation
        // You can use a plugin like NativeShare or implement UIActivityViewController
        Debug.Log($"Sharing on iOS: {message}");
    }
    #endif

    private void ShowErrorMessage(string message)
    {
        // Your UI error display logic
        Debug.LogWarning(message);
    }
}

Implementation Best Practices

Error Handling

Implement robust error handling in the callback to manage network failures, invalid parameters, or server issues.

• Retry Logic: Implement exponential backoff for transient network errors
• User Feedback: Display clear error messages when link creation fails
• Fallback Option: Provide alternative sharing methods (e.g., share the full Singular Link if short link creation fails)
• Validation: Verify parameters before calling CreateReferrerShortLink to catch issues early

Tracking and Analytics

Leverage referrer information to build viral loops and measure organic growth.

Link Expiration

Plan for the 30-day link lifecycle in your sharing strategy.

Common Use Cases

In-App Referral Programs

Enable users to invite friends directly from your app with personalized referral links.

• Reward System: Track referrals and reward users for successful friend signups
• Social Sharing: Integrate with platform-native share sheets for SMS, WhatsApp, email, and social media
• Personal Invites: Include referrer name in the shared message for personalization

User-Generated Content

Create shareable links when users generate content they want to share with others.

• Content Attribution: Track which content drives the most app installs
• Creator Recognition: Attribute new users to content creators for gamification
• Campaign Tagging: Add dynamic parameters based on content type or category

Event Invitations

Generate unique links for event invitations that track which attendees bring new users.

• Event Context: Include event ID and details in link parameters
• Attendee Tracking: Measure viral spread from event to event
• Network Effects: Identify events with the highest conversion rates