> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.memberply.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.memberply.com/creating-membership-benefits/member-referrals.md).

# Member referral program

Member referrals let active members invite friends to join your membership program. Each eligible member receives a personal referral link. When a new customer follows that link and purchases an eligible membership, Memberply attributes the referral and automatically rewards the referring member.

## Before you begin

You need at least one active membership tier.

If you want to reward members with points, enable and configure the **Reward Points** benefit on every tier whose members can refer friends.

If you want to reward members with store credit and use Shopify customer accounts, [enable Shopify native store credit](/members-area/enabling-native-store-credit.md). Stores using legacy customer accounts receive the reward as a Memberply discount code instead.

## Configure referrals

1. In Memberply, open **Member Referrals** under **Grow**, or open it from the Membership Benefits page.
2. Select the membership tiers whose active members can refer friends.
3. Choose the reward:
   * **Reward points** awards a fixed whole number of points.
   * **Store credit** awards a fixed amount in your store currency.
4. Enter the reward amount.
5. Choose whether the referring member should receive their reward immediately when the referred customer becomes active, or only after the referred customer's first successful membership payment.
6. Turn the referral program on and click **Save changes**.

This qualification setting controls when the referring member receives their referral reward. It applies to the referred customer's membership, not the referring member's own membership payments. Choose **As soon as the referred friend becomes an active member** to issue the reward when the referred customer becomes active. Choose **After the referred friend's first successful membership payment** to keep a free-trial or zero-value recurring signup pending until Memberply receives the referred customer's first successful payment.

For example, Alex refers Sam. With **As soon as the referred friend becomes an active member**, Alex receives the reward as soon as Sam becomes an active member. With **After the referred friend's first successful membership payment**, Alex receives the reward only after Sam's payment succeeds. Alex's own membership payments do not affect either outcome.

## How attribution works

Eligible members can see what they will earn for each successful referral and copy their personal link from the Memberply area in either Shopify customer accounts or legacy customer accounts. The member area also explains whether the reward is issued when the referred customer becomes active or after the referred customer's first successful membership payment.

The link opens the eligible membership product page. Memberply securely stores the referral attribution and carries it into the membership order as a private Shopify line-item property. Attribution lasts for 30 days, and the latest valid referral link visited by the customer takes precedence.

A member cannot refer themselves. Memberply also prevents the same new member or membership order from producing duplicate referral rewards.

## Reward delivery and reporting

Memberply processes qualified rewards automatically. Points are added to the member's Memberply points balance. Store credit is added to Shopify customer accounts or delivered as a discount code for legacy customer accounts.

The **Referral activity** section shows total referrals, referrals awaiting rewards, completed rewards, issued point and store-credit totals, and rewards that need review.

Definitive temporary failures are retried automatically. If Shopify receives a store-credit request but its final outcome cannot be confirmed, Memberply holds the reward for review instead of risking duplicate credit.

Rewards that have already been delivered are not automatically removed if the referred membership is later refunded. Handle exceptional clawbacks manually after reviewing the customer history.