> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.branch.io/llms.txt).

# Create and Manage Ad Link Templates (New)

> Create ad link templates in Branch to set rules for ad link settings, choose which ad partners each template is for, and edit or archive templates.

An ad link template sets rules for the settings teammates fill in when they create ad links, so links for the same campaign or partner stay consistent. Branch checks each ad link against its template whenever someone saves the link.

Templates aren't tied to one ad partner. Each template sets which partners it's for, and you manage them all in one place, under **Configuration > Integrations > Ad partners** in Branch. To create an ad link from a template, see [Create an ad link from a template](https://help.branch.io/marketer-hub/ad-links-new.md#create-an-ad-link-from-a-template).

## Before you begin

To create, edit, or archive templates, you first need to:

- Have **View access** to **Channel level settings**.
- Have **Edit access** to **Link level settings**.
- Have **Edit access** to **Link template settings**.

An admin can grant these on the [Team](https://help.branch.io/account-hub/team-new.md) page.

## How template rules work

For most settings in a template, you choose a rule under **Value Type**. The rule controls what teammates can do with that setting in the ad link form.

| Rule | In the ad link form |
| --- | --- |
| **Any** | Teammates can enter any value. |
| **Suggestions** | Teammates see the values you list. They can pick one or enter their own. |
| **Choose** | Teammates can pick only from the values you list. |
| **Fixed** | The form fills in the value you set, and teammates can't change it. |
| **Disabled** | Teammates can't fill in this setting. Available for analytics tags and link data only. |

Analytics tags and link data also have a **Required** switch. Turn it on to make teammates fill in the setting. Choose the rule first, because changing the rule turns **Required** off again. With **Fixed**, **Required** turns on and stays on.

**Link Type**, **Website placement type**, **OS Type**, and **Household Measurement** work more simply. You pick one value to set it on every link, or **Either** to let teammates choose.

## Create a template

You build a template on the **Define**, **Analytics Tags**, **Redirects**, and **Link Data** tabs. The **Template Summary** panel on the right shows each rule as you set it. Select any item in the panel to go to that setting.

1. Go to **Configuration > Integrations > Ad partners** in Branch.
2. Select **Ad link templates**. The **Ad Link Templates** page opens.
3. Select **Create template**. The **Create Ad Link Template** page opens.
4. Enter a **Template Name**.
5. (Optional) Enter a **Template Description** to help teammates pick the right template.
6. (Optional) Choose which partners can use the template under **Ad Partner**. It starts at **Any**, which offers the template for every partner.
7. (Optional) Set the other settings on each tab. See [Template settings](#template-settings).
8. Select **Create Template**.

The template appears on the **Ad Link Templates** page. Teammates can choose it when they create ad links for the partners it allows.

## Template settings

Each part of this section lists a tab's settings in the order they appear in the form.

### Define

The **Define** tab names the template, sets which partners it's for, and sets the kind of ad link it makes.

| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Template Name** | Required. Up to 200 characters, and different from the names of your other ad link templates, including archived ones. |
| **Template Description** | Optional. Up to 512 characters. Helps teammates pick the right template. |
| **Ad Partner** | Sets which partners can use the template. **Any** offers it for every partner. **Fixed** limits it to one partner, and **Choose** limits it to the partners you list. Only partners enabled for your app appear. |
| **Link Type** | **App**, **Website**, or **Either**. Starts at **Either**. |
| **Website placement type** | **Search**, **Display**, or **Either**. Starts at **Either**. Appears when **Link Type** is **Website** or **Either**. |
| **OS Type** | **iOS**, **Android**, or **Either**. Starts at **Either**. Applies only to partners that use different tracking URLs for iOS and Android. |
| **Household Measurement** | Sets whether links connect conversions across the devices in a household. **True**, **False**, or **Either**. Appears only if your account includes household measurement. |

Templates don't control **Link Title** or **Web URL**. Teammates always fill those in themselves.

### Analytics tags

**Channel (utm_source)**, **Campaign (utm_campaign)**, and **Tags (utm_tags)** each take a rule and a **Required** switch. All five rules are available, including **Disabled**.

### Redirects

**iOS**, **Android**, and **Desktop** each get their own redirect rule. Each starts at **Default**, which uses the redirect from your **App Settings** and doesn't let teammates change it. To set a different redirect, or to let teammates choose one, pick another **Redirect Type**.

| Redirect Type | What it means |
| --- | --- |
| **Any** | Teammates choose the redirect when they create an ad link. |
| **Default** | Links use the redirect from your **App Settings**. |
| **Web URL** | Links open a web page. You then set a rule for the address. |
| **Deepview** | Links open a Deepview, which is a Branch-hosted web page that previews the app content behind the link. You then set a rule for which Deepview they open. |

### Link data

Link data in a template adds key-value pairs to every ad link made from it. The tab starts with one empty field. Enter a **Key** and set a rule for its value, then select **Add field** for each extra pair. Each key can appear only once. Keys that Branch reserves, such as `~campaign` and `$ios_url`, aren't allowed. If you turn on **Required**, teammates can't remove that key from links made from the template. Teammates can also add their own keys to those links.

## Edit a template

The **Ad Link Templates** page lists your templates, newest first. To find one, search by name or description.

1. Go to **Configuration > Integrations > Ad partners** in Branch.
2. Select **Ad link templates**.
3. Select the three-dot icon on the template's row.
4. Select **Edit**. The **Edit Ad Link Template** page opens.
5. Make your changes.
6. Select **Save Template**.

Your changes apply to new ad links. Existing links keep their settings until someone edits one. The edit form then applies the template's current rules, so it fills in any new fixed values and clears settings the template now disables. If the link still doesn't follow the rules, Branch won't save the change.

## Archive a template

Archive a template when teammates should stop using it. Branch removes it from the **Ad Link Templates** page and from **Create Link Via Template** in the ad link form.

You can't restore an archived template in Branch. Ad links made from it keep working, but Branch won't save changes to them. To change one of those links, create a new ad link and replace the old link's tracking URLs in your campaign.

1. Go to **Configuration > Integrations > Ad partners** in Branch.
2. Select **Ad link templates**.
3. Select the three-dot icon on the template's row.
4. Select **Archive**.
5. Select **Confirm Archive**.