What are Action Links?

Action links are buttons in the actions row on the Apple place card. They start in the fourth button position, next to the default action buttons: directions, call, and website.

Action links allow users to perform an action, such as order food or view a menu. Action links invoke associated apps that are provided by a third-party partner or by the business owner.

A business location may have one or more action links. The action in the fourth button position is the preferred call to action. In image above, the Order button is the preferred call to action. Additional actions are displayed from the More button.

On Uberall, we will send link type. As this is coming directly from the business (as the client is Connected), the link will be preferred and show in the 4th position.

When multiple app providers provide the same action, such as ordering, rideshare or travel booking, all action links are presented in a drop-down list. (E.g. Starbucks + UberEats in the image below)

Where to find them in the Uberall ?

If you have active Apple listings, Apple Action Links are accessible in the Location Profile under Rich Data, through Spreadsheets, and via the API.

Only the action link types supported for each location's category will be available

From the Location Profile, you can: 

• View links
• Add new links
• Edit existing links
• Delete links
• Define a preferred action type, which will appear as the fourth button on your location’s Apple Maps listing.

You can also import and update links using the Spreadsheet or through the API.

Bulk updates

Bulk updates for Apple Action Links are not available. Apple requires unique URLs for each location. Each URL should point directly to the action for that location. 

Spreadsheet Fields 

Only supported action link types for each location will be available for input.

appleMapsCallToAction: Use this field to define your preferred action link type (e.g., appleMapsAppointmentLinks). This link will be displayed as the fourth CTA

appleMapsSupportedActionLinkTypes: You do not need to fill this field. These types are automatically downloaded based on the location's category.

For appleMapsAvailableParkingLinks, provide the URL and App Store URL .
[Example: url=https://exampleurl/1,appStoreUrl=https://apps.apple.com/2]

What do I need to do as a client?

In order to manage your Apple Action Links on Uberall, you need to ensure you connect your Apple account. See here. 

If you meet these requirements and don't see the option, please contact Uberall support

Important information to be aware of as a client:

The guidelines below are important. Going against any of the Apple guidelines can result in the links being removed by Apple.

Universal Links

Universal links are preferred by Apple and the best user experience for clients. A universal link is a deep link to an app or website that belongs to the registered business. This ensures that if the end user has the business app installed, it will open the app. If they do not have the app, it will then open the web link. If you do not have universal links or cannot create them, the link should to be specific for that location & action.

Links should be specific & the client's domain

Links should be specific to the action & the location. E.g. if the client wants the link to be “Order”, it should direct the client to the order page on the web/app, and for that location. It should not just be the homepage of the website. 

Links should always be the same as the domain of the business. E.g. businessname.com/order. It cannot be businessname.link.app/order (it needs to be businessname.com to match the business domain)

App Store URL

The requirement for an App Store URL depends on the link's domain. 

If the URL's domain is the same as your business's website (as registered in Uberall), the App Store URL is not required in the UI. If the domains differ, the App Store URL is required in the UI. The App Store URL is always required when using spreadsheet uploads, regardless of domain matching.

UTMs are not allowed

Links cannot contain any UTMs. Tracking is against Apple guidelines and policies. 

Quicklink Categories

Below are the possible categories for the quicklinks and the call to action button shown on Apple Maps.