Referral codes, in plain language.
An explainer, not an endorsement. Referral codes are issued by the platform; this publication documents how to verify the entitlement attached to one.
What a referral code can and cannot do.
A referral code is a unique identifier that links a new account to an existing account. It is published by the platform; it does not unlock any entitlement that is not published by the platform. The page below describes how the code works, where the entitlement is published, and what is unknown to this publication.
How the code works
At registration, the platform offers an optional field for a referral code. Entering a valid code links the new account to the inviter's account. The inviter may receive a published benefit; the invitee may receive a published benefit. The benefits, where they exist, are described in the platform's referral page at the time of registration.
Where the entitlement is published
The platform's referral page lists the entitlement, the eligibility, the timeline and any expiry. The entitlement is platform-defined; this publication does not endorse or distribute referral codes.
What is unknown
The current referral code for the platform is not maintained by this publication. The benefit amount, the eligibility rules and the expiry date are subject to change; consult the platform's referral page for the current values.
If a code is offered outside the platform
Codes offered outside the platform. through social posts, message forwards or aggregator pages. should be confirmed against the platform's own referral page before use. A code from an aggregator that diverges from the platform's published behaviour is a flag worth raising.
Reading referrals offered through third parties.
Referral codes offered through aggregators, social posts or message forwards should be confirmed against the platform's own referral page before use. A code from an aggregator that diverges from the platform's published behaviour is a flag worth raising. The cleanest test is to enter the code at registration and confirm the entitlement exactly matches the platform's published offer.
If the entitlement does not match, raise a complaint to the platform's customer-care pathway in writing before any deposit. The platform should respond within the published turnaround. If the platform does not respond, the next step is escalation to the named grievance officer.
What the publication does not do
This publication does not distribute referral codes for any platform. The platform's own referral page is the authoritative source. Codes offered outside the platform are not endorsed.
How a referral code flows from inviter to invitee.
A referral code is a published identifier that links an invitee's new account to an inviter's existing account. The inviter shares the code with the invitee; the invitee enters the code at registration; the platform records the link. The inviter may receive a published benefit; the invitee may receive a published benefit. The benefits, where they exist, are described in the platform's referral page.
What the code actually does
The code links the two accounts. It does not, by itself, transfer money, grant a bonus or unlock any feature. The benefits triggered by the link are platform-defined and described in the platform's referral page. A reader who enters a referral code at registration receives whatever benefit the platform publishes for the invitee; nothing more, nothing less.
Where to find the entitlement
The entitlement is published in the platform's referral page. The page lists the inviter's benefit, the invitee's benefit, the eligibility requirements and any expiry. The page is the cleanest reference for the entitlement. The publication does not redistribute the platform's referral page; the page is updated as the platform updates it.
The aggregator problem
Referral codes offered through aggregators, social posts or message forwards should be confirmed against the platform's own referral page before use. A code from an aggregator that diverges from the platform's published behaviour is a flag worth raising. The cleanest test is to enter the code at registration and confirm the entitlement exactly matches the platform's published offer.
The publication's distance
The publication does not distribute referral codes for any platform. The platform's own referral page is the authoritative source. Codes offered outside the platform are not endorsed; the publication does not vouch for them. The reader who wants to use a code should obtain it directly from the inviter or from the platform's referral page.
Reading the boundaries of a referral code.
A referral code links two accounts; it does not transfer money, unlock a feature or guarantee an outcome. A reader who enters a referral code at registration receives whatever benefit the platform publishes for the invitee. A reader who expects more than the published benefit will be disappointed.
What the code does not do
The code does not transfer money between the two accounts. The code does not unlock any platform feature. The code does not guarantee any reader's outcome. The code does not extend past its expiry. The code is a marker that links; it is not a payment, a feature or a forecast.
What the platform publishes
The platform publishes the inviter's benefit, the invitee's benefit, the eligibility, the timeline and the expiry. The publication reads from the platform's own referral page; the publication does not redistribute the platform's page because the page is updated as the platform updates it.
What to do at sign-up
At sign-up, the reader should confirm the platform's referral page is current. The reader should enter the code only if it matches a code offered directly by the inviter. The reader should not enter a code from a third-party aggregator without confirming against the platform's own referral page.
What this publication is not
The publication is not the platform. The platform implements referral codes; the publication describes the pattern. Where the platform's behaviour disagrees with the publication's description, the reader should consult the platform's own documentation.