> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.referbro.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# FAQ

> Frequently asked questions about Referbro

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can my customers refer themselves?">
    No — Referbro automatically detects **self-referrals** by matching email addresses and IP addresses between the referrer and the friend. If a self-referral is detected:

    * The order is flagged as `Self-Referral` in Analytics
    * No reward is issued to the referrer
    * The friend's discount still applies (they placed a valid order)

    You can see self-referral counts in **Apps → Referbro → Analytics → Order Breakdown**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if a friend doesn't use the discount code?">
    It depends on the **Allow Without Code** setting in your campaign configuration:

    | Setting                | Behavior                                                                                                                                     |
    | :--------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Disabled** (default) | The friend must apply the discount code at checkout. If they don't, no reward is issued to the referrer.                                     |
    | **Enabled**            | As long as the friend arrived via the referral link (tracked by cookies), the referrer earns their reward — even if the code wasn't applied. |

    <Tip>
      We recommend enabling **Allow Without Code** for most stores. Many customers forget to apply the code, and link-click tracking is reliable enough for attribution.
    </Tip>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long before rewards are issued?">
    Rewards are issued after the **Reward Return Period** (configured in Campaign Configuration). This period starts from the date of the friend's valid order.

    For example, if you set the return period to `7` days:

    * Day 0: Friend places an order
    * Day 7: Referrer receives their reward (cashback, store credit, or gift card)

    This delay accounts for returns and refunds. If the order is cancelled within this window, the reward is voided automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can referral discounts stack with other discounts?">
    Yes — you control this via three toggles in Campaign Configuration:

    | Toggle                               | What It Controls                                                |
    | :----------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Combines With Order Discounts**    | Stack with order-level discounts (e.g., "10% off entire order") |
    | **Combines With Product Discounts**  | Stack with product-level discounts (e.g., "₹50 off this item")  |
    | **Combines With Shipping Discounts** | Stack with shipping discounts (e.g., "Free shipping")           |

    By default, these are disabled. Enable the ones that make sense for your pricing strategy.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need Shopify Plus for checkout extensions?">
    No — Shopify **Checkout Extensibility** is now available on most Shopify plans, not just Plus. As long as your store uses the extensible checkout (not the legacy checkout), you can add the Referbro widget to the Thank You and Order Status pages.

    To check: go to **Shopify Admin → Settings → Checkout → Customize**. If you see a visual editor, you're on the extensible checkout.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I pause my referral program?">
    Open **Apps → Referbro → Campaigns**, select the active campaign, then deactivate it. This immediately:

    * Hides the Refer & Earn widget on your storefront
    * Stops generating new referral codes
    * Stops sending automated WhatsApp messages

    Existing discount codes remain valid until their Shopify expiry. Pending rewards in the return-period pipeline will still be processed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I add a billing subscription plan?">
    Open **Apps → Referbro → Billing**, choose the plan that fits your order volume, and confirm the subscription in Shopify.

    For a visual walkthrough, see [How to add your Billing Subscription Plan](https://scribehow.com/viewer/How_to_add_your_Billing_Subscription_Plan__of0J97yKSRCV9lFPP4C5gA).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What reward types are available?">
    Referbro supports five reward types for referrers:

    | Reward Type                   | How It Works                                                                                                  |
    | :---------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
    | **Cashback**                  | A monetary reward credited to the referrer (manual payout by you)                                             |
    | **Store Credit**              | Shopify store credit issued automatically via Admin GraphQL, with optional expiry                             |
    | **Gift Card**                 | A free product gift code created on Shopify and sent to the referrer via WhatsApp                             |
    | **Flat Amount Discount Code** | A cart-wide flat discount code (e.g., ₹100 off) created on Shopify and sent to the referrer via WhatsApp      |
    | **Percentage Discount Code**  | A cart-wide percentage discount code (e.g., 15% off) created on Shopify and sent to the referrer via WhatsApp |

    Choose the reward type when creating your campaign. Note:

    * For **Flat Amount Discount Code**, enter the discount amount (e.g., `100` for ₹100 off).
    * For **Percentage Discount Code**, enter the percent value (e.g., `15` for 15% off). It is stored internally as a fraction (0.15).
    * You can set a **Store Credit Expiry** (in days) to encourage referrers to use their credit.
    * Discount code rewards are automatically created on Shopify and sent via WhatsApp after the reward return period.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use Referbro without WhatsApp?">
    Yes — WhatsApp is optional. Without WhatsApp, customers can still:

    * See the Refer & Earn widget on your storefront
    * Copy their referral link and share it via any channel (SMS, email, social media)
    * Earn rewards when friends make purchases

    WhatsApp adds **automated messaging** at key touchpoints, but the core referral program works without it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I change the discount amount for existing referral codes?">
    Updating the discount amount in Campaign Configuration applies to **new referral codes only**. Existing codes retain their original values.

    To update all existing codes, use the bulk update API endpoint:

    ```
    POST /api/shop/:shopId/update-discount-codes
    ```

    <Warning>
      This updates all active discount codes on Shopify. Run during low-traffic hours to avoid performance impact.
    </Warning>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is Customer Segmentation?">
    Referbro automatically restricts referral discounts to new customers ("Customers with no purchases").

    When you run a campaign, the app automatically creates a "Customers with no purchases" segment in your Shopify admin and links the referral discount codes to it. This prevents existing customers from using a friend's referral code, ensuring your referral program rewards genuine new customer acquisition.

    See [Customer Segmentation](/docs/features/customer-segmentation) for details.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>