Is there any way to get a generic (country-unrelated) iTunes link?
Solution 1:
You can remove the country code from the URL, so it reads http://itunes.apple.com/artist/nash-the-slash/id160526527. That gives you a valid iTunes URL, that if opened in a browser (that doesn't auto-open iTunes), appears to be the same as if the link were a US link.
However when any iTunes link is opened in iTunes itself, it will attempt to redirect to the version in the user's local store. I.e. when I click on the link you posted, I get sent to the same item in the Canadian store.
If the item isn't available in the Canadian store, I get a message like this:
So, you should be safe using country-specific store links, and iTunes will handle the redirection as appropriate.
Solution 2:
I think there is a better way to this, as it is described here: https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#qa/qa1633
You can use something like:
http://appstore.com/<appname> for example, http://appstore.com/keynote
Solution 3:
A "generic" or "global" iTunes / App Store link has less to do with the two letter country code in the URL and everything to do with ID.
If the link is recognized / available in the "target" iTunes / App Store country specific storefront you are golden, if not you just served up an error message.
For example (look at the IDs in each link):
Apps (Tetris from EA):
- US - http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tetris/id479943969?mt=8
- UK - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/tetris/id480807857?mt=8
Music (Adele's 21):
- US - https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/21/id420075073
- UK - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/21/id405293187
- CA - https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/21/id403988688
- JP - https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/21/id413208801
- BR - https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/21/id477022345
We (GeoRiot) have found that "artist" links (either for a musician/band or app developer) are your best bet for an ID that works internationally but still don't have 100% success.
For specific products, we've found the following rates of links not working for international clicks (based on top 300 items in each category, originate from a US based iTunes / App Store link and tested in the UK, Germany, Australia, and Japan storefronts):
- 8% to 12% of the time for Apps
- 65% to 75% for Music
- 50% to 75% for Books (native language plays in here)
- 60% to 85% for TV shows / episodes (again language is a major factor)
- 50% to 98% for Movies (language again playing in big here)
If you really want to dive into the specific availability of a link then you can check out this tool we put together: GeoRiot Link Availability Tool (beta)
I hope that helps!