{"version":"2026-10-05-mixed-guides-on-pr11","sourceOfTruth":"referral-factory-help-hub","aiReadme":{"purpose":"Authoritative knowledge base for Referral Factory support assistants and external AI chatbots.","intendedAgents":["Internal customer support AI agents","Customer-facing in-product AI assistant","External AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude"],"answeringRules":["For direct user questions, prioritize Quick FAQs first, then link to deep-dive guides for implementation details.","Lead with customer success outcomes first: more qualified referrals, better conversion, and stronger referral revenue.","Prefer Referral Factory specific configuration guidance when available.","Use referral marketing best-practice guidance when customers ask strategy questions.","If required information is missing, ask a clarifying question before giving implementation steps.","Do not invent product features or settings that are not documented here.","Use canonical terminology consistently: referral link page is the public sharing surface; referral portal is the private referrer workspace; referral code is an identifier, not a coupon or discount code.","For integration answers, prefer retry-safe\/idempotent patterns and explicit campaign context over ambiguous defaults.","When discussing growth strategy, separate referral program tactics from affiliate or influencer channel tactics.","All human-facing guides must include machine-readable aiSupport fields so AI agents can parse intent, quick answers, and setup paths reliably."],"structuredParsing":{"recommendation":"For promotion tool questions, use aiSupport fields when present.","orderOfUse":["Match by aiSupport.toolId or canonicalQuestion","Return faq.aiSupport.quickAnswer for definition intent","Return guide.aiSupport.setupChecklist and inProductPath for setup intent"],"pairingRule":"When responding with a setup guide, also suggest the paired FAQ; when responding with a FAQ, include the paired setup guide."},"promotionToolPairs":[{"toolId":"popup","guideSlug":"promotion-tool-on-click-pop-up-setup-guide","faqSlug":"faq-what-is-an-on-click-pop-up","inProductPath":"Promote > On-Click Pop Up > On-Click Pop Up Configuration"},{"toolId":"sidebar","guideSlug":"promotion-tool-sticky-bar-setup-guide","faqSlug":"faq-what-is-a-sticky-bar","inProductPath":"Promote > Sticky Bar > Sticky Bar Configuration"},{"toolId":"website-widget","guideSlug":"promotion-tool-website-widget-setup-guide","faqSlug":"faq-what-is-a-widget","inProductPath":"Promote > Website Widget > Website Widget Configuration"},{"toolId":"submission-form","guideSlug":"promotion-tool-lead-submission-form-setup-guide","faqSlug":"faq-what-is-a-lead-submission-form","inProductPath":"Promote > Lead Submission Form > Configure Lead Submission Form"},{"toolId":"api","guideSlug":"promotion-tool-custom-api-dashboard-setup-guide","faqSlug":"faq-what-is-custom-api-dashboard","inProductPath":"Promote > Custom API Dashboard > Best Practices Guide"},{"toolId":"add-contacts","guideSlug":"promotion-tool-sync-or-upload-referrers-setup-guide","faqSlug":"faq-what-is-sync-or-upload-referrers","inProductPath":"Promote > Sync Or Upload Referrers"},{"toolId":"enable-automation","guideSlug":"promotion-tool-enable-automation-setup-guide","faqSlug":"faq-what-is-enable-automation","inProductPath":"Promote > Enable Automation"},{"toolId":"signup","guideSlug":"promotion-tool-branded-referrer-portal-setup-guide","faqSlug":"faq-what-is-a-branded-referral-portal","inProductPath":"Promote > Branded Referrer Portal > Branded Referrer Portal Settings"},{"toolId":"social-share","guideSlug":"promotion-tool-share-portal-on-social-setup-guide","faqSlug":"faq-what-is-share-portal-on-social","inProductPath":"Promote > Share Portal On Social"}],"generatedAt":"2026-10-14T15:14:13+00:00","publicArticleCount":239},"tracks":[{"id":"technical-configuration","title":"Technical Configuration","description":"Step-by-step setup guidance for campaign configuration, integrations, security, billing, and operations."},{"id":"program-success","title":"Referral Program Success","description":"Best-practice playbooks for referral strategy, growth, conversion, measurement, and enterprise rollout planning."}],"categories":[{"name":"Getting Started","slug":"getting-started","description":"Learn how to set up and launch your first referral program with Referral Factory. Follow the key steps from choosing who can refer and where leads go to setting rewards, tracking referrals, and testing your campaign.","introParagraphs":["The Getting Started category is for teams setting up Referral Factory for the first time. It explains the core pieces of a referral campaign: who can refer, where leads land, what reward is offered, and how your team tracks the results.","Use these guides when you want a clear path from blank campaign to live program. They are written for marketers, founders, customer success teams, and operators who want to launch a referral program without waiting on custom development."],"faqs":[{"question":"What should I set up first in Referral Factory?","answer":"Start with the campaign structure: choose who will refer, what the invited friend should do, and what reward will be earned. Then build the referral link page, configure qualification, and test the full journey before inviting customers."},{"question":"Do I need a developer to launch my first campaign?","answer":"Most teams do not need a developer. Referral Factory includes a visual campaign builder, hosted referral pages, sharing tools, emails, and no-code integrations. A developer is only useful for advanced API, webhook, or custom website work."},{"question":"How long does a basic referral program take to launch?","answer":"A simple campaign can often be prepared in a few hours once the offer and audience are clear. More complex programs take longer when they include CRM automation, custom qualification rules, multiple languages, or internal approval steps."},{"question":"What should I check before going live?","answer":"Test the referral link, landing page, lead form, email notifications, qualification rule, and reward flow. It is also worth checking your campaign copy on mobile so customers understand exactly what they are sharing."}]},{"name":"Referral Link Page","slug":"referral-link-page","description":"Learn how Referral Link Pages work and how to customize the experience people see after clicking a referral link. Find help with page design, forms, redirects, tracking, and troubleshooting referral links.","introParagraphs":["Use these guides to design your Referral Link Page, capture Lead details, verify email addresses and choose what happens after submission.","You can show a thank-you page or redirect Leads to your website while preserving their connection to the correct Referrer."],"faqs":[{"question":"What is the referral link page used for?","answer":"It is the hosted page connected to your campaign where referrers or invited friends can take the next step. Depending on your setup, it may collect referrer details, explain the reward, capture referred leads, or show sharing options."},{"question":"Can I customize the referral page design?","answer":"Yes. Referral Factory lets you adjust the copy, colors, images, form fields, sharing options, and branding so the page matches your campaign and business. Higher-tier setups can also use custom domains or more advanced page options."},{"question":"Should my referral page send people to my website?","answer":"That depends on the campaign goal. Some programs convert best with a dedicated Referral Factory page because the reward and next step are clear. Others send referred leads to a website or product flow after the referral is captured."},{"question":"What makes a referral page convert better?","answer":"Use a short explanation, a specific reward, a simple form, and language that makes the invite feel helpful rather than spammy. The page should make it obvious who gets rewarded and what the invited friend needs to do."}]},{"name":"Referrers","slug":"referrers","description":"Learn how people become referrers, receive their unique referral link or code, and track the people they refer. Find help with importing referrers, managing their details, and giving them access to the Branded Referrer Portal.","introParagraphs":["Use these guides to add Referrers, generate their unique Referral Links, manage their records and help them access sharing tools, activity and rewards.","You can add one person, upload an existing customer list or connect another system, then keep each campaign\u2019s Referrer history organised."],"faqs":[{"question":"Who counts as a referrer in Referral Factory?","answer":"A referrer is anyone who joins your campaign and shares a referral link, code, portal, or invitation path. They are the person recommending your business to a friend, customer, colleague, or lead."},{"question":"Can I upload referrers instead of asking them to join?","answer":"Yes. You can add referrers through campaign signup, manual entry, CSV upload, sync options, or supported integrations depending on your setup. This is useful when you already have a customer or partner list ready to invite."},{"question":"Can one person be in more than one campaign?","answer":"Yes, a person can participate in different campaigns if your program structure requires it. Keep campaign naming and segmentation clear so reporting, rewards, and communication stay easy to understand."},{"question":"How do referrers access their referral portal?","answer":"Referrers can access their portal through the link or email flow connected to your campaign. The portal gives them a place to find their referral link, share options, and campaign information."}]},{"name":"Leads","slug":"leads","description":"Learn how referred leads are captured, tracked, and managed inside Referral Factory. Find help with lead details, attribution, imports, duplicate referrals, and sending lead data to the tools your team uses.","introParagraphs":["Use these guides to understand how Leads are captured, connected to Referrers, checked for duplicates and moved from Pending to Qualified.","You can also manage Lead records and turn an existing Lead into a Referrer without losing their original history."],"faqs":[{"question":"What is a lead in Referral Factory?","answer":"A lead is the person who has been referred to your business. Depending on your campaign, they may submit a form, visit a referral link, become a customer, reach a CRM stage, or trigger another qualification event."},{"question":"Why does a referred lead show as pending?","answer":"A pending lead usually means the person has been captured but has not yet met the qualification rule for your campaign. The lead may still need to purchase, book, convert, reach a deal stage, or be manually approved."},{"question":"Can Referral Factory prevent duplicate referred leads?","answer":"Referral Factory includes tools to help manage duplicate submissions and identify when the same person appears again. Your exact duplicate handling depends on campaign settings, form fields, and any connected CRM or integration."},{"question":"Where should my referred leads go after capture?","answer":"Many teams send referred leads into a CRM, email workflow, sales queue, or product onboarding flow. Referral Factory can help capture the referral source so your downstream team knows who referred the lead and which campaign generated it."}]},{"name":"Qualification","slug":"qualification","description":"Learn how to decide when a referred lead has successfully completed the action that matters to your business. Set up qualification using Referral Factory, CRM activity, custom events, APIs, webhooks, or other conversion milestones.","introParagraphs":["The Qualification category explains how Referral Factory decides when a referral should count as successful. Qualification is where you connect referral activity to the business result that matters, such as a purchase, booked demo, approved deal, activated account, or manual review.","Use these guides before launching rewards or reporting on performance. Clear qualification rules help prevent fraud, avoid accidental payouts, and make sure referrers are rewarded for leads that genuinely move your business forward."],"faqs":[{"question":"What does qualification mean in a referral program?","answer":"Qualification is the rule that decides when a lead becomes a successful referral. It protects your program by making sure rewards and conversion reporting are tied to a real outcome, not just a form submission."},{"question":"Can qualification happen after the lead first signs up?","answer":"Yes. Many programs capture the lead first and qualify them later when they purchase, reach a CRM stage, attend a demo, or pass manual review. This is common for sales-led and higher-value referral programs."},{"question":"How can I reduce referral fraud?","answer":"Use clear qualification rules, email verification where appropriate, duplicate checks, manual review for suspicious activity, and reward timing that waits for a meaningful conversion. The right mix depends on your campaign and reward value."},{"question":"Can I change qualification rules after launch?","answer":"Yes, but changes should be made carefully. Review how the new rule affects existing leads, future rewards, and reporting so referrers are treated fairly and your team understands when the new rule applies."}]},{"name":"Rewards","slug":"rewards","description":"Learn how to choose, set up, and manage rewards for your referral program. Find help with cash, gift cards, coupons, account credits, Stripe rewards, Tremendous, PayPal, and other reward options.","introParagraphs":["The Rewards category covers how incentives are configured and issued inside Referral Factory. It helps you decide what referrers or invited friends should earn, when they should earn it, and how reward rules should match your customer acquisition economics.","Use this section to set up reward values, limits, payout timing, and reward integrations. A good reward setup should motivate sharing without creating unnecessary cost, fraud risk, or manual admin for your team."],"faqs":[{"question":"What reward types can I use in Referral Factory?","answer":"You can structure rewards around the incentive that fits your business, such as cash, vouchers, account credit, discounts, or manually issued benefits. Available fulfillment options depend on your plan and connected reward tools."},{"question":"When should a reward be issued?","answer":"Rewards should usually be issued after the lead has met your qualification rule. This keeps the program fair and helps avoid paying for leads that never became customers or did not meet your success criteria."},{"question":"Can I limit how many rewards a referrer earns?","answer":"Yes. Reward limits are useful when you want to control budget, prevent abuse, or run a time-boxed campaign. Make the limit clear in your campaign copy so referrers understand how the program works."},{"question":"How should I choose a reward amount?","answer":"Start with your customer value, current cost per lead, and conversion rate. The reward should be meaningful enough to motivate sharing while staying lower than what you can profitably spend to acquire a qualified customer."}]},{"name":"Emails","slug":"emails","description":"Learn how to set up the emails Referral Factory sends to referrers and referred leads throughout your campaign. Customize automated notifications, reward emails, email branding, sending settings, and once-off email campaigns.","introParagraphs":["Use these guides to manage how Referral Factory communicates with your referrers, leads and your team throughout the referral journey.","Learn how to set up and customise referral program email templates, automate emails when referrals are made or qualified, send reward and reminder emails, contact specific groups with Email Blasts, manage account notifications, and send emails from your own business domain.","You\u2019ll also find practical advice on which referral emails to send and how to keep referrers engaged without overcomplicating your communication."],"faqs":[{"question":"Can Referral Factory send automated and one-time emails?","answer":"Yes. Automated emails respond to events in the referral journey, while Email blasts let you contact a selected audience when you choose."},{"question":"Can campaign emails come from my business domain?","answer":"Yes. Connect and verify your business domain from Emails \u2192 Sending settings, or connect an Enterprise SMTP mail server."},{"question":"Where do I manage email sending settings?","answer":"Open a campaign, select Emails, then Sending settings. Connect your domain opens Organisation \u2192 Mail Configuration."},{"question":"Should I test emails before launching?","answer":"Yes. Send test emails and run through the full referral journey so each recipient receives the right message at the right time."}]},{"name":"Promoting Your Program","slug":"promoting-your-program","description":"Learn how to promote your referral program and make it easy for customers to start referring. Explore referral links, QR codes, widgets, sharing options, customer invitations, and ways to add your program to your website or product.","introParagraphs":["The Promoting Your Program category helps you get the right people into your referral campaign after it has been built. Referral Factory gives you multiple ways to invite customers, add sharing prompts, embed widgets, and make the program visible at the right moment.","Use these guides when your campaign is ready but you need more referrers, more shares, or better placement across your customer journey. Promotion works best when the ask appears where customers already experience value from your business."],"faqs":[{"question":"Where should I promote my referral program first?","answer":"Start with channels where your happiest customers already engage with you: post-purchase emails, product dashboards, customer newsletters, account portals, onboarding flows, or support follow-ups. The best placement depends on when customers are most likely to recommend you."},{"question":"Can I promote my program on social media?","answer":"Yes. Referral Factory supports social sharing paths and campaign links you can use in social posts, communities, and customer communications. Social works best when the reward and audience are specific rather than broadly promotional."},{"question":"What built-in tools can help me get more referrers?","answer":"Referral Factory includes options such as widgets, pop-ups, sticky bars, branded referral portals, contact uploads, automation, and share links. Choose the tool that fits the place where customers naturally interact with your brand."},{"question":"Why am I not getting referrals after launch?","answer":"Common causes include low program visibility, unclear rewards, weak timing, too much friction, or an audience that has not yet experienced enough value. Review where the program is promoted and whether the referral ask feels useful to the customer."}]},{"name":"Integrations","slug":"integrations","description":"Connect Referral Factory with the tools your business already uses to manage customers, leads, and rewards. Find setup guides for CRMs, reward platforms, payment tools, APIs, webhooks, and automation platforms.","introParagraphs":["The Integrations category explains how Referral Factory connects with the tools your team already uses, including CRMs, reward platforms, payment tools, webhooks, APIs, and automation platforms. Integrations help you qualify leads, sync contacts, and reduce manual campaign admin.","Use these guides when referral data needs to move between Referral Factory and another system. A well-planned integration keeps campaign context intact, avoids duplicate work, and helps your sales or customer team act on leads quickly."],"faqs":[{"question":"Which systems can Referral Factory integrate with?","answer":"Referral Factory supports common integration paths for CRMs, reward tools, payment platforms, webhooks, APIs, and automation tools. The best option depends on where your customer, lead, deal, or purchase data already lives."},{"question":"Should I use a native integration, webhook, or API?","answer":"Use a native integration when it covers your workflow, webhooks when another system needs to notify Referral Factory about an event, and the API when you need a custom backend integration controlled by your team."},{"question":"How do integrations affect referral qualification?","answer":"Integrations can qualify referrals when an external system confirms the right event, such as a deal stage, payment, subscription, or customer status. This helps Referral Factory reward referrers based on real business outcomes."},{"question":"What should I test before turning an integration on?","answer":"Test contact matching, campaign IDs, field mapping, qualification triggers, duplicate handling, and failed-event recovery. Use a test referral journey so you can confirm the connected system receives and sends the expected data."}]},{"name":"Analytics","slug":"analytics","description":"Learn how to track referral activity, conversions, campaign performance, and ROI in Referral Factory. Find help with analytics, attribution, reporting, UTM tracking, pixels, and sending referral data to other analytics tools.","introParagraphs":["The Analytics category helps you understand how your referral program is performing inside Referral Factory. It covers the metrics that show how many people join, share, refer leads, and generate qualified results for your business.","Use these articles when you want to move beyond launching a campaign and start improving it. Referral analytics can show whether the issue is awareness, sharing, conversion, qualification, or reward follow-through."],"faqs":[{"question":"Which referral metrics should I watch first?","answer":"Start with referrer signups, shares, leads, qualified referrals, and reward outcomes. Together, these metrics show whether people are joining the program, sharing it, and generating leads that actually convert."},{"question":"Can I track referrals outside Referral Factory?","answer":"Yes. Many teams combine Referral Factory reporting with CRM data, UTM parameters, tracking pixels, or analytics tools. The important part is preserving referral source and campaign context as leads move through your funnel."},{"question":"How do I know where my referral program is underperforming?","answer":"Look at the funnel step where the drop-off happens. Low referrer signup suggests promotion or offer issues, low sharing suggests friction or weak motivation, and low qualification suggests the referred audience or conversion path needs work."},{"question":"How often should I review referral performance?","answer":"Review early campaigns weekly until the main conversion path is stable. After that, a monthly review is usually enough to compare channels, reward costs, qualified referrals, and changes you want to test."}]},{"name":"Campaign Settings","slug":"campaign-settings","description":"Learn how to configure and manage the settings that control how your referral campaign works. Find help with campaign details, branding, forms, pages, languages, domains, and other campaign-level settings.","introParagraphs":["The Campaign Settings category covers the options that shape how a Referral Factory campaign behaves. These settings can affect branding, languages, domains, campaign rules, and the details that make your referral program fit your business.","Use this section when your campaign structure is mostly in place and you need to fine-tune the experience. Small setting changes can have a big impact on trust, clarity, and how easily customers understand the referral process."],"faqs":[{"question":"What campaign settings should I review before launch?","answer":"Review the campaign name, branding, referral page copy, language, domain, form fields, email behavior, qualification rule, reward settings, and any integration settings. These choices define the live customer experience."},{"question":"Can I set up a referral campaign in multiple languages?","answer":"Yes, Referral Factory supports multilingual campaign setup options. Use clear translations for reward copy, form labels, and instructions so referrers and invited friends understand the program in their preferred language."},{"question":"Can I use a custom domain for my referral program?","answer":"Yes, custom domains can be used when you want the referral experience to sit closer to your own brand. Make sure DNS and campaign links are tested before you promote the program broadly."},{"question":"Should I change settings after a campaign is live?","answer":"You can, but review the impact first. Changes to qualification, rewards, forms, domains, or emails can affect active referrers and leads, so document what changed and test the campaign after updating it."}]},{"name":"Billing","slug":"billing","description":"Find answers about Referral Factory plans, pricing, billing, invoices, upgrades, and account limits. Learn what\u2019s included in each plan and how to manage changes to your subscription.","introParagraphs":["Use these guides to choose the right Referral Factory plan for your business, understand what is included in your free trial, check whether you qualify for our Startup Program, and manage your subscription, payment details and invoices.","You can also learn about billing limits and additional costs, how annual and monthly subscriptions work, and what happens if you cancel your Referral Factory account."],"faqs":[{"question":"Where do I manage my Referral Factory subscription?","answer":"Click your name in the bottom-left corner and select Billing to view the current plan, payment method, billing cycle and invoices."},{"question":"How long is the Referral Factory free trial?","answer":"The current free trial lasts 15 days. Check the current pricing and signup pages for plan-specific availability and payment requirements."},{"question":"Can I cancel my subscription?","answer":"Yes. Cancel from the Billing page. The subscription remains active until the end of the billing period already paid for."},{"question":"Are rewards included in the subscription price?","answer":"The platform includes reward-management tools, but your business funds the reward value and any fees charged by an external reward provider."}]},{"name":"Industry Use Cases","slug":"industry-use-cases","description":"Learn how to build a referral program around the way your industry actually sells and serves customers. Explore practical examples for banking and finance, SaaS, education, home services, consulting, wellness, and other business models.","introParagraphs":["Use these guides to adapt Referral Factory to the way referrals work in your industry.","Learn how to choose referrers, capture leads, define qualification goals, connect the referral journey to your existing systems, set reward rules and test the complete experience for accounting and consulting, banking and financial services, education, SaaS, home services and wellness businesses.","Each guide provides a practical example you can adjust to match your audience, sales process, compliance needs and customer journey."],"faqs":[{"question":"Why do referral programs differ by industry?","answer":"Industries differ in purchase value, sales cycle, trust requirements, compliance needs, and how customers naturally recommend products. Your referral program should reflect those differences instead of using a generic reward and message."},{"question":"How should I choose a referral reward for my industry?","answer":"Start with your customer value and buying behavior. A low-friction ecommerce purchase may suit a discount, while a high-value service or B2B sale may need a stronger reward that is paid only after qualification."},{"question":"Should every industry use the same referral landing page?","answer":"No. The page should match the decision customers are asking friends to make. Some industries need social proof and trust language, while others need a fast offer, simple form, or explanation of what happens after the referral."},{"question":"How can Referral Factory support industry-specific campaigns?","answer":"Referral Factory gives you flexible campaign pages, rewards, qualification rules, emails, integrations, and tracking so you can adapt the referral flow to your market without building a custom referral system from scratch."}]},{"name":"For Affiliates","slug":"for-affiliates","description":"How to join and promote Referral Factory as an affiliate.","introParagraphs":["The For Affiliates category is for people and businesses that want to promote Referral Factory itself through our affiliate program. It explains how to join, what kind of audience is a good fit, and how to share Referral Factory in a useful, credible way.","Use this section if you create content, advise businesses, run a community, or work with teams that need referral program software. The best affiliate promotion helps potential customers understand when Referral Factory is the right solution for launching and managing referral programs."],"faqs":[{"question":"Who is a good fit for the Referral Factory affiliate program?","answer":"Good affiliates include consultants, agencies, creators, community owners, SaaS reviewers, and partners who reach businesses interested in customer referrals, referral marketing, customer advocacy, or growth software."},{"question":"How should affiliates promote Referral Factory?","answer":"Affiliates should focus on practical education, honest product context, and audiences that need referral program software. Useful comparisons, setup guides, templates, newsletters, and partner recommendations usually perform better than generic promotion."},{"question":"What should I explain when recommending Referral Factory?","answer":"Explain that Referral Factory helps businesses build, launch, promote, track, and manage referral programs without custom development. It is especially useful for teams that want a branded referral experience with tracking and integrations."},{"question":"Where can I find the affiliate signup details?","answer":"The affiliate help article explains how to join and where to access the Referral Factory affiliate program. Review the program terms and recommended positioning before you start promoting your link."}]},{"name":"Security & Compliance","slug":"security-compliance","description":"Find information about how Referral Factory protects customer data and supports your security and compliance requirements. Learn about GDPR, SOC 2, ISO 27001, data hosting, access controls, fraud prevention, SSO, and account security.","introParagraphs":["Use these guides to understand how Referral Factory protects customer data, secure access to your account, and reduce fraud, bot sign-ups and self-referrals in your campaigns.","You can also learn about Referral Factory\u2019s SOC 2 Type II report, ISO 27001 certification and GDPR position, and review the legal, privacy and compliance questions to consider before launching a referral program."],"faqs":[{"question":"What security standards does Referral Factory follow?","answer":"Referral Factory is SOC 2 Type II audited, ISO 27001 certified and GDPR compliant. Request the current reports, certificates and scope when your security or procurement team needs evidence."},{"question":"How can I secure my Referral Factory account?","answer":"Use two-factor authentication, give each teammate a separate login, limit permissions, remove old access and protect API and integration credentials. SAML SSO is available on supported plans."},{"question":"How can I reduce referral fraud and bot sign-ups?","answer":"Use reCAPTCHA, email verification, qualification rules, referral limits and reward review. Check unusual activity in the Leads view before issuing high-value rewards."},{"question":"Does Referral Factory make my referral program legally compliant?","answer":"No. Referral Factory provides platform controls and documentation, but your organisation remains responsible for the notices, permissions, campaign terms, retention rules and local requirements that apply to its program."}]}],"articles":[{"slug":"do-i-need-a-developer-to-setup-my-referral-program","track":"getting-started","knowledgeType":"platform-specific","category":"Getting Started","categorySlug":"getting-started","title":"Do I Need A Developer To Setup My Referral Program?","summary":"No. You do not need a developer to set up or run a standard referral program with Referral Factory. Marketing, growth, customer success and operations teams can build the referral experience, onboard referrers, configure rewards, manage emails, connect supported integrations and track referral performance through the platform without writing custom code.","readTimeMinutes":6,"popularityScore":96,"updatedAt":"2026-10-02","tags":["developer","API","webhooks","website integration","self-hosted data"],"articlePath":"\/help\/getting-started\/do-i-need-a-developer-to-setup-my-referral-program","sections":[{"title":"","paragraphs":["No. You do not need a developer to set up or run a standard referral program with Referral Factory. Marketing, growth, customer success and operations teams can build the referral experience, onboard referrers, configure rewards<\/a>, manage emails, connect supported integrations<\/a> and track referral performance<\/a> through the platform without writing custom code.","A developer becomes useful when you want Referral Factory to connect more deeply to your own website, product, backend or data infrastructure - for example through the API, webhooks, custom HTML or self-hosted data."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"When do I need a developer to use Referral Factory?","paragraphs":["
What you want to do<\/th>
Developer needed?<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Build and brand a referral campaign<\/td>
No<\/td><\/tr>
Create referral links and onboard referrers<\/td>
No<\/td><\/tr>
Configure rewards and referral emails<\/td>
No<\/td><\/tr>
Use a standard CRM or payment integration<\/td>
No<\/td><\/tr>
Add a standard website widget or popup<\/td>
Usually no<\/td><\/tr>
Use Zapier, Make or another no-code automation<\/td>
Usually no<\/td><\/tr>
Build custom API workflows<\/td>
Yes \/ recommended<\/td><\/tr>
Send or receive custom webhook events<\/td>
Usually requires technical help<\/td><\/tr>
Build a referral experience directly inside your own app<\/td>
May require a developer<\/td><\/tr>
Upload fully custom HTML<\/td>
Yes \/ recommended<\/td><\/tr>
Use Referral Factory's self-hosted data option<\/td>
Which customer account should receive the balance update<\/td><\/tr>
What action triggers it<\/td>
Adding the points, tokens, miles or credits<\/td><\/tr>
How many are due<\/td>
The actual balance in the loyalty or rewards system<\/td><\/tr>
Whether the reward is Due or Issued<\/td>
The result of the balance update in your own system<\/td><\/tr>
The Referrer or Lead connected to the reward<\/td>
Your customer record and any internal audit trail<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>","Think of Referral Factory as the referral and reward-tracking layer. Your loyalty platform, wallet or backend remains the source of truth for the actual points or token balance."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"A simple example","paragraphs":["A business already has a loyalty programme. Its referral offer is: \u201cRefer a friend and earn 500 loyalty points when they become a customer.\u201d","The business creates a Custom Reward in Referral Factory with:","Metric Name: Loyalty Points","Metric Amount: 500","Trigger: the referral qualifies, such as when the referred person becomes a customer","Referral Factory then records that 500 Loyalty Points are due for the Referrer. The business uses its own backend, loyalty platform or wallet system to find that customer and add the 500 points. Once the update succeeds, the reward can be marked as Issued in Referral Factory."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Set up the custom reward","paragraphs":["On the Referral Factory side, choose Custom as the Reward Type. The Custom option is designed for points, tokens, credits or another value that your business defines.","
<\/figure>","Choose Custom when the reward is a quantity or value defined by your own rewards system.","Then enter the metric that your business uses. For the example above, use Metric Name = Loyalty Points and Metric Amount = 500. You could also use Metric Name = Miles and Metric Amount = 1,000, or Metric Name = App Credits and Metric Amount = 25.","These fields describe what Referral Factory records as being owed. They do not connect to, or change, the balance in your loyalty platform by themselves."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"How the API-led flow works","paragraphs":["For an API-led setup, select Issue Yourself in the Reward Rule. Your backend then checks Due rewards through the Referral Factory API, updates the matching loyalty account, and marks the reward as Issued after the update succeeds.","A referral reaches the action required by the Custom Reward, such as becoming a qualified customer.","Referral Factory creates the Custom Reward and shows it as Due.","Your backend checks the Due rewards available through the Referral Factory API and reads the reward and recipient information it needs.","Your backend identifies the same person in your loyalty, wallet or account system.","Your backend adds the correct number of points, tokens, miles or credits to that person\u2019s account.","After the points are added successfully, your backend issues the Due reward in Referral Factory.","The current API documentation shows the issue endpoint as POST https:\/\/api.referral-factory.com\/api\/v2\/rewards\/issue\/{identifier}. The identifier is the unique ID of the Due reward. Check the current developer documentation for the latest way to retrieve Due rewards and for authentication details. Never place a real API token or customer data in a Help Centre article."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Where the webhook option fits","paragraphs":["Webhooks are another way to connect the Custom Reward to your own system. Select Webhooks as the issuing method in the Reward Rule, then send the reward information to your configured endpoint. Your backend can use that information to find the customer and add the points or tokens.","Zapier and Make.com can also pass reward information into a connected workflow. They are useful alternatives when you do not want to build the full API flow yourself.","
<\/figure>","Webhooks selected as the issuing method inside the Reward Rule."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"How the other connection options fit","paragraphs":["The API approach is the most direct option when your own backend owns the loyalty balance. You can also connect the same Custom Reward through Webhooks, Zapier or Make.com, depending on how your business already moves data.","API with Issue Yourself: your backend retrieves Due rewards, updates the balance, then marks the reward as Issued.","Webhooks: Referral Factory sends reward information to your configured endpoint.","Zapier or Make.com: a connected workflow passes the reward information to the system that owns the balance."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"What can you use this for?","paragraphs":["Loyalty points","Airline or travel miles","Membership points","In-app or usage credits","Tokens or virtual currency","Internal account balances","Tier or status credits","The important requirement is that your business has a reliable way to update the external balance, either through that platform\u2019s API or through logic in your own backend."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"When this setup is a good fit","paragraphs":["This approach is useful if you already have a loyalty programme, customer wallet, membership rewards platform, internal points system, fintech rewards balance or SaaS credit system. You do not need to replace that infrastructure to use Referral Factory.","Referral Factory can sit on top of the system you already trust and decide when a referral reward should be earned. Your own system still decides whether the points or tokens were added successfully and what the current balance is."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Before you go live","paragraphs":["Decide which customer identifier your backend will use to match the Referrer or Lead to the correct account.","Make sure your backend can safely add the reward only once if the same event is received again.","Test the Custom Reward, API or webhook flow with test records before using real customer balances.","Confirm that the reward is marked Issued only after your own system confirms the balance update succeeded."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]}],"related":["do-you-have-to-pay-tax-on-referral-rewards","how-are-referral-rewards-paid-out","how-do-i-set-up-promo-codes-in-referral-factory"],"aiSupport":{"intent":"answer_can_i_issue_loyalty_points_or_tokens_as_referral_rewards","canonicalQuestion":"Can I Issue Loyalty Points or Tokens as Referral Rewards?","quickAnswer":"Yes. If your business already has a points, token, credit or loyalty system, you can use Referral Factory to decide when a referral reward is earned and connect the result to your own system.","setupChecklist":[],"answerPriority":90},"articleType":"Guide","articleUrl":"https:\/\/referral-factory.com\/help\/rewards\/can-i-issue-loyalty-points-or-tokens-as-referral-rewards"},{"slug":"do-you-have-to-pay-tax-on-referral-rewards","track":"rewards","knowledgeType":"platform-specific","category":"Rewards","categorySlug":"rewards","title":"Do You Have to Pay Tax on Referral Rewards?","summary":"Referral rewards can be taxable, but there is no single tax rule that applies to every reward, recipient, or country.","readTimeMinutes":6,"popularityScore":85,"updatedAt":"2026-10-01","tags":["rewards","referral","rewards"],"articlePath":"\/help\/rewards\/do-you-have-to-pay-tax-on-referral-rewards","sections":[{"title":"","paragraphs":["
Important: A reporting threshold is not the same thing as a tax-free threshold. Someone may still have taxable income even when a particular information return is not required.<\/th><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>","The threshold can also change over time, so US businesses should check the current IRS rules for the year they are paying rewards."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"What if you use Tremendous to send rewards?","paragraphs":["Referral Factory integrates with Tremendous, and Tremendous offers tax-management tools for US reward programs. These tools can make the administration easier, but they do not transfer the tax responsibility from the business to Tremendous.","Tremendous currently provides tools that can help businesses:","Collect W-9 information from eligible US recipients during redemption","Track annual reward totals by recipient","Include eligible rewards paid outside Tremendous in recipient totals","Export recipient W-9 information and reward amounts","Prepare ready-to-file 1099 data and forms for year-end reporting","Tremendous does not issue or e-file 1099s on your behalf, provide tax advice, or take responsibility for the accuracy of your tax filings. Its tax tools also do not handle international recipients, so businesses with recipients outside the US need to check the rules that apply in those countries.","
How Tremendous handles the 2026 US W-9 threshold<\/h3>","For 2026, Tremendous says its W-9 collection feature can prompt eligible US recipients once their tracked payouts reach $2,000 in the calendar year, provided the other requirements for W-9 collection are met. Recipients who are prompted must complete the required information before they can redeem that payout.","Tremendous also lets businesses upload rewards paid outside Tremendous so those amounts can be included in recipient totals. That can be useful if you use Tremendous for some referral rewards but pay others yourself."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"What about referral rewards outside the US?","paragraphs":["Rules vary significantly by country. For example, HMRC guidance in the UK says a payment for introducing another customer can be taxable when it is paid for the introduction rather than being a voluntary gift. Other countries use different rules and thresholds.","If your referral program operates across several countries, avoid assuming that the US 1099 rules apply everywhere. You may need local advice for the business and for the people receiving rewards."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"What should you keep track of?","paragraphs":["Whether you send rewards yourself or use a reward provider, it is sensible to keep a clear record of:","Who received the reward","What the reward was","The value of the reward","The date it was issued or paid","Why the reward was earned","How it was paid","Any tax information or forms you were required to collect","Referral Factory can help you track who earned a reward, its value, and its reward status. That information can support your records, but it does not replace your accounting or tax records."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Does Referral Factory calculate or manage tax?","paragraphs":["No. Referral Factory helps businesses create, track, and issue referral rewards. It does not decide whether a reward is taxable, calculate a recipient\u2019s tax, file tax forms, or determine which reporting rules apply to your business.","If rewards are significant, recurring, or connected to someone\u2019s work or business, check the rules with a qualified tax professional or the relevant tax authority."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"The simple answer","paragraphs":["Referral rewards may be taxable. Whether tax is due, who needs to report it, and which records or tax forms are required depends on the country, the type of reward, the amount, and why the reward was earned.","If you pay rewards yourself, your business needs its own process for tracking and reporting them. If you use Tremendous, its US tax tools can help with W-9 collection and year-end reporting, but the business still remains responsible for its tax compliance."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]}],"related":["how-are-referral-rewards-paid-out","how-do-i-set-up-promo-codes-in-referral-factory","how-can-i-issue-referral-rewards-using-zapier"],"aiSupport":{"intent":"answer_do_you_have_to_pay_tax_on_referral_rewards","canonicalQuestion":"Do You Have To Pay Tax On Referral Rewards?","quickAnswer":"Referral rewards can be taxable, but there is no single tax rule that applies to every reward, recipient, or country.","setupChecklist":[],"answerPriority":90},"articleType":"Guide","articleUrl":"https:\/\/referral-factory.com\/help\/rewards\/do-you-have-to-pay-tax-on-referral-rewards"},{"slug":"how-are-referral-rewards-paid-out","track":"rewards","knowledgeType":"platform-specific","category":"Rewards","categorySlug":"rewards","title":"How Are Referral Rewards Paid Out?","summary":"When someone earns a reward, it first appears as Due. From there, you can send it yourself or use one of Referral Factory\u2019s connected reward and automation options.","readTimeMinutes":3,"popularityScore":84,"updatedAt":"2026-10-01","tags":["rewards","referral","rewards"],"articlePath":"\/help\/rewards\/how-are-referral-rewards-paid-out","sections":[{"title":"How rewards are paid","paragraphs":["A referral can qualify and create a reward without it being paid yet<\/a>. Check whether the reward is Due or Issued, then check the Issuing Method chosen for its Reward Rule."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"What decides when someone earns a reward?","paragraphs":["Who receives the reward: Referrer or Lead.","The reward type: Fixed Monetary Value, Commission, or Custom.","What event creates the reward, such as a qualified referral or custom Goal.","The reward value, frequency, Reward Limit, and whether existing users are ignored.","Whether Auto Issue Rewards is enabled."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"How is the reward sent?","paragraphs":["In Rewards \u2192 Reward Rules, Step 3 is Choose Issuing Method. The editor offers Issue Yourself, Tremendous, Stripe Credits, PayPal, Webhooks, Zapier, Make.com, and N8n. Choose the option that matches how you want to send the reward or pass it to another tool.","
![\"Screenshot](\"\/images\/help\/31eb777f519f807eb5a3f04baedb39cb.png\")
<\/figure>"],"visuals":[]},{"title":"The Referrer dashboard example","paragraphs":["The panel includes a visual mockup showing what a custom referrer dashboard could look like when built using the Referral Factory API. The example displays:","This is a guide to help you design your own dashboard \u2014 you have complete flexibility over the layout and design in your application."],"bullets":["Your Referral Link<\/strong> \u2014 the referrer's unique tracking link with a copy button","Stats<\/strong> \u2014 Reach, Referrals, and Qualified Referrals counts","Recent Referrals<\/strong> \u2014 a list of referred people with their qualification status"],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Required API endpoints for your Referrer dashboard","paragraphs":["The panel lists the two essential API endpoints you need to build a referrer dashboard:"],"visuals":[]},{"title":"1. Create or fetch user","paragraphs":["When a user enters your dashboard, use this endpoint to either create them as a new referrer or retrieve their existing referral data. This generates their unique referral link.","Endpoint:<\/strong> ![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-issue-referral-rewards-using-webhooks\/01-webhooks-issuing-method.png\")
<\/figure>","Webhook configuration inside the Reward Rule issuing method, including the endpoint, method, credentials and reward data fields."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"What happens next","paragraphs":["When Referral Factory issues a reward, it sends the configured request to your endpoint. Your system then validates the request, identifies the recipient and performs the next action you built, such as adding points or creating a payout request.","Check all three parts when testing: the reward is Issued in Referral Factory, the endpoint receives the request, and your system completes the final action."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]}],"related":["how-does-automated-reward-fulfillment-and-payout-delivery-work","how-do-i-set-up-a-commission-based-referral-reward","how-do-rewards-work-in-referral-factory"],"aiSupport":{"intent":"answer_how_can_i_issue_referral_rewards_using_webhooks","canonicalQuestion":"How Can I Issue Referral Rewards Using Webhooks?","quickAnswer":"Use Webhooks when an issued Referral Factory reward should be sent to an endpoint that your business controls. This is useful for adding loyalty points, triggering an internal payout, adding account credit, updating a customer wallet or passing reward information to your own rewards platform.","setupChecklist":[],"answerPriority":90},"articleType":"Guide","articleUrl":"https:\/\/referral-factory.com\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-issue-referral-rewards-using-webhooks"},{"slug":"how-does-automated-reward-fulfillment-and-payout-delivery-work","track":"rewards","knowledgeType":"platform-specific","category":"Rewards","categorySlug":"rewards","title":"How Does Automated Reward Fulfillment and Payout Delivery Work?","summary":"When you automate rewards, Referral Factory can move an eligible reward from Due into the issuing method you chose. This guide explains what each stage means and what may happen after that.","readTimeMinutes":4,"popularityScore":99,"updatedAt":"2026-10-01","tags":["rewards","automated","reward","fulfillment","payout"],"articlePath":"\/help\/rewards\/how-does-automated-reward-fulfillment-and-payout-delivery-work","sections":[{"title":"The automated reward journey","paragraphs":["The journey usually looks like this:","![\"Step](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-does-automated-reward-fulfillment-and-payout-delivery-work\/01-zapier-issuing-method.png\")
![\"The](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-does-automated-reward-fulfillment-and-payout-delivery-work\/reward-auto-issue-setting.png\")
![\"The](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-does-automated-reward-fulfillment-and-payout-delivery-work\/reward-status-tabs.png\")
![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-do-i-set-up-a-commission-based-referral-reward\/rf-commission-step1-cropped.png\")
<\/figure>","Reward Rule Step 1 with Commission selected."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Set the commission value","paragraphs":["![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-do-i-set-up-a-commission-based-referral-reward\/01-zapier-issuing-method.png\")
<\/figure>","Reward Rule Step 3 showing Choose Issuing Method and the final rule settings."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Complete and activate the rule","paragraphs":["![\"Step](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-to-issue-rewards-with-referral-factory\/01-zapier-issuing-method.png\")
![\"Canceled](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-to-issue-rewards-with-referral-factory\/05-rewards-003-canceled-empty.png\")
![\"Use](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-to-troubleshoot-referral-rewards\/05-rewards-005-rules-overview-live.png\")
![\"The](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-to-troubleshoot-referral-rewards\/05-rewards-004-failed-empty.png\")
![\"Integrations](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-to-troubleshoot-referral-rewards\/10-integrations-and-api-005-rewards-tab.png\")
![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-do-i-set-up-a-custom-referral-reward\/rf-custom-step1-cropped.png\")
<\/figure>","Reward Rule Step 1 with Custom selected."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Set the custom metric","paragraphs":["![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-do-i-set-up-a-custom-referral-reward\/01-zapier-issuing-method.png\")
<\/figure>","Reward Rule Step 3 showing Choose Issuing Method and the final rule settings."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Complete and activate the rule","paragraphs":["![\"The](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-do-promo-codes-work-in-referral-factory\/image-1.png\")
![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-do-i-set-up-a-fixed-value-referral-reward\/05-rewards-006-new-reward-drawer.png\")
<\/figure>","Reward Rule Step 1 with Fixed Monetary Value selected."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Set the fixed amount","paragraphs":["![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-do-i-set-up-a-fixed-value-referral-reward\/01-zapier-issuing-method.png\")
<\/figure>","Reward Rule Step 3 showing Choose Issuing Method and the final rule settings."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Complete and activate the rule","paragraphs":["![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-give-leads-a-coupon-or-discount\/01-lead-coupon-setup.png\")
<\/figure>","Choose when a Lead earns a coupon and upload the unique code list."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"How to set up Lead coupons","paragraphs":["1. Open Rewards \u2192 Coupon Rewards.","2. Choose Leads.","3. Click Set up coupons.","4. Choose when the Lead should earn a coupon.","5. Decide whether to keep Ignore rewards for existing users turned on. This skips users who qualified before the coupon reward was activated; new users still receive codes as normal.","6. Paste one unique code per line, or upload a CSV or text file.","7. Click Save.","You can have one coupon batch for Leads. Add enough unused codes for the number of Leads you expect to reward, and add more codes to the same batch later if needed."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Choose where the coupon can be shown","paragraphs":["The earning trigger controls where a Lead coupon can appear.","![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-give-leads-a-coupon-or-discount\/02-lead-coupon-settings.png\")
<\/figure>","Lead coupon settings show that only coupons issued when a Lead joins can appear on referral-link pages.","![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-give-leads-a-coupon-or-discount\/03-lead-coupon-notification.png\")
<\/figure>","Add {Reward Coupon} to the notification so the Lead receives the assigned code."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"How the code is assigned","paragraphs":["Referral Factory takes one unused code from the uploaded list and links it to the Lead who earned the reward. You can use the Coupon Rewards area to check the recipient, assigned code and reward status.","If there are no unused codes when a Lead earns a coupon, the reward can stay Due. After you upload more codes to the existing batch, Referral Factory can assign an available code and process the reward to Issued."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Coupon rewards and Stripe Promo Codes are different","paragraphs":["![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-issue-referral-rewards-using-the-api\/10-integrations-and-api-006-api-key-inner-tab.png\")
<\/figure>","The API Key area in Integrations and API. The example must not contain a usable access token."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Retrieve and check Due rewards","paragraphs":["Use the current developer documentation to retrieve the Due rewards available to your backend. Read the reward ID, recipient, reward type and amount or value before doing anything else.","Your backend should decide whether the reward is ready for your own process and should keep a record of the reward ID it is handling. Do not mark the reward Issued just because it was retrieved."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Perform the reward action and issue the reward","paragraphs":["1. Match the Referral Factory recipient to the correct customer account in your own system.","2. Add the points, credit, tokens or other value in that system, or create the internal payout request.","3. Confirm that your own system completed the action successfully.","4. Call the verified issue endpoint with the unique Due reward identifier: `POST https:\/\/api.referral-factory.com\/api\/v2\/rewards\/issue\/{identifier}`.","5. Save the Referral Factory reward ID and your own transaction or balance-update ID together so the result can be checked later."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Test the complete flow","paragraphs":["Use a safe test reward and confirm that Referral Factory shows the reward as Issued, your backend recorded the successful reward action, and the customer\u2019s balance or internal payout record changed as expected.","If your own reward action fails, leave the Referral Factory reward Due until the problem is resolved. This prevents the Referral Factory status from saying Issued when the real reward was not completed."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]}],"related":["how-can-i-reward-referrers-with-unique-coupon-codes","can-i-give-unique-coupon-codes-to-referrers-and-leads","how-can-i-issue-referral-rewards-using-make"],"aiSupport":{"intent":"answer_how_can_i_issue_referral_rewards_using_the_api","canonicalQuestion":"How Can I Issue Referral Rewards Using the API?","quickAnswer":"Use the Referral Factory API when your own backend should update a loyalty account, wallet, credit balance or proprietary rewards system before marking a Referral Factory reward as Issued. This gives your business control over the real reward action and its audit trail.","setupChecklist":[],"answerPriority":90},"articleType":"Guide","articleUrl":"https:\/\/referral-factory.com\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-issue-referral-rewards-using-the-api"},{"slug":"how-can-i-reward-referrers-with-unique-coupon-codes","track":"rewards","knowledgeType":"platform-specific","category":"Rewards","categorySlug":"rewards","title":"How Can I Reward Referrers With Unique Coupon Codes?","summary":"Give Referrers a unique coupon when their referral reaches the outcome you choose.","readTimeMinutes":4,"popularityScore":89,"updatedAt":"2026-10-01","tags":["rewards","reward","referrers","unique","coupon"],"articlePath":"\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-reward-referrers-with-unique-coupon-codes","sections":[{"title":"","paragraphs":["Yes. Upload a pool of unique coupon codes, choose Referrers, and select the referral event that should earn the coupon. When the event happens, Referral Factory assigns one available code to the Referrer and sends it through the delivery method you set up."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Jess and Stacey example","paragraphs":["Jess is the Referrer. Stacey is the Lead. The business wants Jess to receive a unique $50 coupon only after Stacey becomes a qualified customer.","1. Jess refers Stacey.","2. Stacey meets the campaign's qualification criteria.","3. Referral Factory ![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-reward-referrers-with-unique-coupon-codes\/03-referrer-coupon-setup.png\")
<\/figure>","Choose the Referrer trigger and upload the unique coupon codes."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Where does the Referrer receive the coupon?","paragraphs":["The earning event controls where the coupon can be displayed.","![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-reward-referrers-with-unique-coupon-codes\/09-referrer-coupon-settings.png\")
<\/figure>","Referrer Portal Coupon Settings: only coupons issued when a referrer joins can appear on the portal."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"How to set it up","paragraphs":["1. Open Rewards \u2192 Coupon Rewards.","2. Choose Referrers.","3. Select when the coupon should be earned.","4. Paste one unique code per line, or upload a CSV or text file.","5. Click Save.","Referral Factory uses the codes you upload. It does not create the voucher value, expiry date or redemption rules. If the reward is a $50 coupon, the codes you upload must already represent $50 vouchers in the system where they will be redeemed."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Configure the coupon notification","paragraphs":["1. Open the notification settings for the Referrer coupon batch.","2. Turn on the notification and choose a template.","3. Add {Reward Coupon} where the unique code should appear.","4. Save the notification.","When the Coupon Reward becomes Issued, Referral Factory sends the configured notification containing that Referrer's unique code.","![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-reward-referrers-with-unique-coupon-codes\/05-coupon-notification-email.png\")
<\/figure>","Add {Reward Coupon} to the notification so the recipient receives their unique code."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"How unique codes are assigned","paragraphs":["Referral Factory takes one available code from the uploaded pool and links it to the Referrer who earned the reward. The Coupon Rewards table shows the Referrer, email, assigned code, status and relevant dates.","If Jess refers Stacey and Ben, and the batch uses \u201cWhen they get a referral and it becomes qualified\u201d, Jess can earn one separate unique coupon for Stacey and another for Ben once each referral qualifies.","If no unused coupon is available, the reward can remain Due. After more codes are uploaded, Referral Factory can assign an available code and process the waiting reward to Issued."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Keep the coupon table accurate","paragraphs":["The batch counters show Issued, Used, Remaining and Total. Referral Factory does not automatically know when an externally created coupon is redeemed. Use Mark as redeemed to record the used code."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Coupon rewards and Stripe Promo Codes are different","paragraphs":["![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-issue-referral-rewards-using-make\/1-make-watch-issue-reward.png\")
<\/figure>"],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Add the next module","paragraphs":["1. Add the app or service that should receive the reward information.","2. Choose the action, such as creating a record, sending an email, adding points or calling another service.","3. Connect the destination account.","4. Map the reward and recipient fields from the Referral Factory module into the next module.","5. Add a filter or another module if different rewards need different actions.","6. Run the scenario with controlled test data and confirm the destination result.","![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-issue-referral-rewards-using-make\/2-make-issue-reward.png\")
<\/figure>"],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Activate and check the scenario","paragraphs":["Save and activate the scenario after the test succeeds. Then check that Referral Factory shows the reward as Issued, Make shows a successful Watch issuing rewards run, and the final app completed its action.","If the scenario does not run, first check that the reward is Issued rather than Due, the correct reward is selected, and the scenario is active."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]}],"related":["can-i-issue-loyalty-points-or-tokens-as-referral-rewards","do-you-have-to-pay-tax-on-referral-rewards","how-are-referral-rewards-paid-out"],"aiSupport":{"intent":"answer_how_can_i_issue_referral_rewards_using_make","canonicalQuestion":"How Can I Issue Referral Rewards Using Make?","quickAnswer":"Use Make when an issued Referral Factory reward needs to move through a visual, multi-step scenario. For example, you could send a gift card, update a customer wallet, add account credit, notify a team or route different rewards to different apps.","setupChecklist":[],"answerPriority":90},"articleType":"Guide","articleUrl":"https:\/\/referral-factory.com\/help\/rewards\/how-can-i-issue-referral-rewards-using-make"},{"slug":"can-i-issue-loyalty-points-or-tokens-as-referral-rewards","track":"rewards","knowledgeType":"platform-specific","category":"Rewards","categorySlug":"rewards","title":"Can I Issue Loyalty Points or Tokens as Referral Rewards?","summary":"Yes. If your business already has a points, token, credit or loyalty system, you can use Referral Factory to decide when a referral reward is earned and connect the result to your own system.","readTimeMinutes":5,"popularityScore":86,"updatedAt":"2026-10-01","tags":["rewards","issue","loyalty","points","tokens"],"articlePath":"\/help\/rewards\/can-i-issue-loyalty-points-or-tokens-as-referral-rewards","sections":[{"title":"The important distinction","paragraphs":["A ![\"Can](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/can-i-issue-loyalty-points-or-tokens-as-referral-rewards\/image-1.png\")
<\/figure>","Choose Custom when the reward is a quantity or value defined by your own rewards system.","Then enter the metric that your business uses. For the example above, use Metric Name = Loyalty Points and Metric Amount = 500. You could also use Metric Name = Miles and Metric Amount = 1,000, or Metric Name = App Credits and Metric Amount = 25.","These fields describe what Referral Factory records as being owed. They do not connect to, or change, the balance in your loyalty platform by themselves."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"How the API-led flow works","paragraphs":["For an API-led setup, select Issue Yourself in the Reward Rule. Your backend then checks Due rewards through the Referral Factory API, updates the matching loyalty account, and marks the reward as Issued after the update succeeds.","A referral reaches the action required by the Custom Reward, such as becoming a qualified customer.","Referral Factory creates the Custom Reward and shows it as Due.","Your backend checks the Due rewards available through the Referral Factory API and reads the reward and recipient information it needs.","Your backend identifies the same person in your loyalty, wallet or account system.","Your backend adds the correct number of points, tokens, miles or credits to that person\u2019s account.","After the points are added successfully, your backend issues the Due reward in Referral Factory.","The current API documentation shows the issue endpoint as POST https:\/\/api.referral-factory.com\/api\/v2\/rewards\/issue\/{identifier}. The identifier is the unique ID of the Due reward. Check the current developer documentation for the latest way to retrieve Due rewards and for authentication details. Never place a real API token or customer data in a Help Centre article."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Where the webhook option fits","paragraphs":["Webhooks are another way to connect the Custom Reward to your own system. Select Webhooks as the issuing method in the Reward Rule, then send the reward information to your configured endpoint. Your backend can use that information to find the customer and add the points or tokens.","Zapier and Make.com can also pass reward information into a connected workflow. They are useful alternatives when you do not want to build the full API flow yourself.","![\"Can](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/can-i-issue-loyalty-points-or-tokens-as-referral-rewards\/image-2.png\")
<\/figure>","Webhooks selected as the issuing method inside the Reward Rule."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"How the other connection options fit","paragraphs":["The API approach is the most direct option when your own backend owns the loyalty balance. You can also connect the same Custom Reward through Webhooks, Zapier or Make.com, depending on how your business already moves data.","API with Issue Yourself: your backend retrieves Due rewards, updates the balance, then marks the reward as Issued.","Webhooks: Referral Factory sends reward information to your configured endpoint.","Zapier or Make.com: a connected workflow passes the reward information to the system that owns the balance."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"What can you use this for?","paragraphs":["Loyalty points","Airline or travel miles","Membership points","In-app or usage credits","Tokens or virtual currency","Internal account balances","Tier or status credits","The important requirement is that your business has a reliable way to update the external balance, either through that platform\u2019s API or through logic in your own backend."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"When this setup is a good fit","paragraphs":["This approach is useful if you already have a loyalty programme, customer wallet, membership rewards platform, internal points system, fintech rewards balance or SaaS credit system. You do not need to replace that infrastructure to use Referral Factory.","Referral Factory can sit on top of the system you already trust and decide when a referral reward should be earned. Your own system still decides whether the points or tokens were added successfully and what the current balance is."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]},{"title":"Before you go live","paragraphs":["Decide which customer identifier your backend will use to match the Referrer or Lead to the correct account.","Make sure your backend can safely add the reward only once if the same event is received again.","Test the Custom Reward, API or webhook flow with test records before using real customer balances.","Confirm that the reward is marked Issued only after your own system confirms the balance update succeeded."],"bullets":[],"steps":[],"visuals":[]}],"related":["do-you-have-to-pay-tax-on-referral-rewards","how-are-referral-rewards-paid-out","how-do-i-set-up-promo-codes-in-referral-factory"],"aiSupport":{"intent":"answer_can_i_issue_loyalty_points_or_tokens_as_referral_rewards","canonicalQuestion":"Can I Issue Loyalty Points or Tokens as Referral Rewards?","quickAnswer":"Yes. If your business already has a points, token, credit or loyalty system, you can use Referral Factory to decide when a referral reward is earned and connect the result to your own system.","setupChecklist":[],"answerPriority":90},"articleType":"Guide","articleUrl":"https:\/\/referral-factory.com\/help\/rewards\/can-i-issue-loyalty-points-or-tokens-as-referral-rewards"},{"slug":"do-you-have-to-pay-tax-on-referral-rewards","track":"rewards","knowledgeType":"platform-specific","category":"Rewards","categorySlug":"rewards","title":"Do You Have to Pay Tax on Referral Rewards?","summary":"Referral rewards can be taxable, but there is no single tax rule that applies to every reward, recipient, or country.","readTimeMinutes":6,"popularityScore":85,"updatedAt":"2026-10-01","tags":["rewards","referral","rewards"],"articlePath":"\/help\/rewards\/do-you-have-to-pay-tax-on-referral-rewards","sections":[{"title":"","paragraphs":["![\"How](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-are-referral-rewards-paid-out\/image-1.png\")
<\/figure>","Step 3 of the Reward Rule editor shows the available issuing methods, including Issue Yourself, providers, and automation options.","![\"Campaign](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-do-i-set-up-promo-codes-in-referral-factory\/01-campaign-tracking-options.png\"){kind=tracking}
![\"The](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-do-i-set-up-promo-codes-in-referral-factory\/02-promo-codes-connected-overview.png\")
![\"Campaign](\"\/assets\/images\/help\/rewards\/how-do-i-set-up-promo-codes-in-referral-factory\/04-promo-code-campaign-rules.png\")