Links open apple store instead of app

While using safari/chrome and click on a link to a website page of an app I have on my phone, a notification appears to either use the app or view via browser. If I choose open the app it opens apple store instead. I have had 4 or 5 different iPhones in the past decade and I have never been able to open an app by clicking “open in app”.

I have cleared the safari history and cookies numerous times on several iphones— it makes no difference. (So please don’t copy and paste that same canned response that everyone with this problem gets.)

There are a couple other problems that I have had with my iPhones but of course I’m blanking on them now. It’s frustrating. I would have switched to another company but I like having access to all my photos, bookmarks, etc. and I’ve only had iPhones.

I have basically just accepted that this will never work properly since this problem has existed on all my iPhones. This is the last time I’ll ask about it.