How Referrals Work & Tracking
Complete guide to referral flow, rewards, and partner program
🔄 The Referral Flow
Here's exactly what happens when you share your referral link:
Step 1: You Share Your Link
Share your unique link: https://api.market?ref=YOURCODE
Where to share:
Social media (Twitter, LinkedIn)
Blog posts and tutorials
Email newsletters
Developer communities
Direct messages
Step 2: Someone Clicks Your Link
When they click:
✅ Click is tracked and attributed to you
✅ A session cookie is set (valid for 7 days)
✅ They can browse and explore the platform
Step 3: They Sign Up
When they create an account:
✅ They're linked to your referral code
✅ $2.50 credit is added to their wallet automatically
✅ Status changes to: SIGNED_UP
⚠️ Credit Validity: The $2.50 signup bonus is valid for 30 days. If not used, it expires.
Step 4: They Make a Purchase
When they subscribe to a paid API plan:
✅ Status changes to: CONVERTED
✅ Commission is calculated based on their spend
✅ Commission becomes eligible after 30 days
Step 5: You Earn Commission
After the 30-day eligibility period:
✅ Commission is paid to your wallet (Basic) or referral balance (Partner)
✅ Transaction appears in your Ledger
💰 Referral Rewards & Credits
For Referred Users: $2.50 Signup Bonus
Amount
$2.50 USD
Added When
Upon signup via referral link
Validity
30 days from signup
Usage
Any paid API subscription
For Referrers: Commission Structure
Basic
5% of purchase amount
$1.00
Partner
10% of purchase amount
$1.00
Commission Eligibility:
Commissions become eligible 30 days after the purchase
Only successful purchases (200 OK responses) count
Refunded purchases don't generate commission
Example:
📈 Tracking Your Referrals
Referral Stats Card
Key Metrics:
Total Referrals
Users who signed up using your link
Conversions
Referrals who made a qualifying purchase
Total Earnings
Total commission earned to date
Conversion Rate
Percentage of signups that converted
Total Clicks
Number of times your link was clicked
Pending Referrals
Signed up but haven't purchased yet
Referred Users Table
Track each referred user's status:
Not Signed Up
Clicked link but didn't create account
Signed Up
Created account, hasn't purchased
Made a Spend
Made a qualifying purchase (you earned commission!)
Referral Ledger
View all your commission transactions:
Columns:
Date - When commission was earned
User Email - Referred user's email
Commission Earned - Your commission amount
Status - PENDING, ELIGIBLE, PAID
Features:
Export to CSV for your records
Filter and track earnings over time
🚀 Partner Program
Upgrade to Partner for higher commissions and cash payouts.
How to Upgrade
Go to Referrals dashboard
Click "Upgrade to Partner" button
Review and accept the Partner Agreement
Sign with your digital signature
Connect Stripe for Payouts
After upgrading, connect Stripe to receive cash payouts:
Click "Connect Stripe" in the Payouts section
Complete Stripe onboarding (enter bank details)
Wait for account verification
Request Payout
Once Stripe is connected and you have sufficient balance:
Payout Requirements:
✅ Stripe account connected and verified
✅ Minimum balance: $25.00
✅ Account ready for payouts (no missing requirements)
Payout Timeline:
Processing time: 2-7 business days
Email confirmation sent when processed
Stripe fees may apply
Partner Benefits Summary
Commission Rate
5%
10%
Earnings Location
Wallet Credits
Referral Balance
Cash Withdrawals
❌ No
✅ Yes (via Stripe)
Minimum Payout
N/A
$25.00
Stripe Connect
N/A
Required for payouts
❓ FAQ
Q: How long is my referral link valid? A: Your link is permanent. The tracking session lasts 7 days after someone clicks.
Q: Can I refer myself? A: No, self-referrals are not allowed.
Q: When do I receive commissions? A: Commissions become eligible 30 days after the referred user's purchase, then processed based on your track type.
Q: What if my referral gets a refund? A: Refunded purchases don't generate commissions. If commission was already paid, it may be reversed.
Q: Can I switch back from Partner to Basic? A: Yes, click "Convert to Basic" on your dashboard. You'll need zero balance and no pending commissions.
💡 Tips for Success
✅ Be authentic - Share with people who genuinely need APIs ✅ Target developers - They're your best audience ✅ Explain the bonus - Highlight the $2.50 signup credit ✅ Use social media - Built-in Twitter/LinkedIn sharing ✅ Create content - Tutorials, reviews, comparisons ✅ Monitor stats - Track what's working
📖 Related Documentation
What is the Referral Program? - Getting started
How to use Wallet? - Wallet credits
How do I add Payment details? - Stripe setup
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