# Referral flow explained

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Referrers Share Their Links**

The referrer shares their unique link with a new customer, who must not have an existing account. Clicking the link takes them to your referral landing page.

<figure><img src="https://1367962225-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpAxc1paAgix94BNLrez8%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-68b20a44ec610cdc54766fdc54328fb5f0d1f7ec%2Fimage%20(239).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Referees Claim Their Rewards**

The referred customer fills in their email to claim the reward you’ve configured in the program. Once they’ve done this, a pending referral activity will appear in the app.

{% hint style="info" %}
Once you click the link, our app will store a 7-day cookie on the device. If the customer does not make the purchase within 7 days, the link will expire.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://1367962225-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpAxc1paAgix94BNLrez8%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-25fbcf585babdb3803b449db0858985d4c8634b3%2Fimage%20(240).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
The **pending activity** will be shown on your activity page

<figure><img src="https://1367962225-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpAxc1paAgix94BNLrez8%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a4795ca550ced075eac686e9ff29690bc9427bf8%2Fimage%20(241).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Referees Make a Purchase**

The referred customer needs to place an order using the same email they used to claim their reward.

<figure><img src="https://1367962225-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpAxc1paAgix94BNLrez8%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3154d0be29279e60a5d4a7a52e4783dd547928c4%2Fimage%20(242).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When they complete their purchase and reach the thank you page, the referral activity will be marked as complete in the app.

<figure><img src="https://1367962225-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpAxc1paAgix94BNLrez8%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d534cca88dad3b734a43302827fe25246a66d27e%2Fimage%20(243).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### FAQs

**Why my referrer does not receive their rewards?**

Two common reasons for issues:

1. **Different Emails**: The customer may have used different emails for claiming rewards and placing the order. Ensure the same email is used.
2. **App Pixel Disabled**: Check if the App pixel is enabled in Settings > Customer Events. If the status is not synced correctly, try toggle the referral program status on and off again to see if it is updated.

**If my customers cheat by using tricks to create multiple accounts for referral rewards, what should I do?**

The anti-cheat feature in the referral program prevents fraudulent activities, ensuring fairness and protecting your business while rewarding genuine referrals.

To set up the anti-cheat feature, simply follow these steps:

{% embed url="<https://app.arcade.software/share/zhU77jJvTfVtcQpIpUYO>" %}

### Wrap up

The referral program transforms customers into brand advocates, turning word-of-mouth into a strategic growth tool. By creating a rewarding, fair system that incentivizes genuine referrals, you enable your satisfied customers to naturally expand your business network through trusted recommendations.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.joy.so/reward-programs/referrals/referral-flow-explained.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
