> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.shoffi.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.shoffi.app/for-affiliates/manual-referrals.md).

# Manual referrals

## What are manual referrals?

The manual referral form allows you to report referrals made without using your referral links. After submitting a referral manually, the app owner will review the request and approve or decline it.

## When to use manual referrals

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Please note!**\
Use manual referrals only if you are confident that a specific store installed the app following your advice and you are a registered affiliate for that app.
{% endhint %}

If you have used the referral link, the referral will show up in the next 24 hours, and **there is no need to report it manually**.

There are two reasons to submit a manual referral:

* You have installed the app manually or told a merchant to do so without your affiliate link.
* You sent the link to a merchant, more than 24 hours have passed, and you still cannot find the referral on the platform.

## How to add a manual referral

### From the `Referrals` page

Go to the `Referrals` page and click the "Add referral manually" button.

![](/files/GLNFoP0C6IvJYINRSc6g)

Fill in the form with the required data. Here is the data you will be requested to provide:

* **App name**\
  Choose the app you referred.
* **Referred store URL**\
  The full `.myshopify.com` domain of the store you referred, for example `https://store.myshopify.com`.
* **Referral date**\
  The date you made the referral.
* **Additional info (optional)**\
  Add any information that helps the app owner confirm the referral.

Once you finish, click `Submit` and wait for the app owner's approval.

### From the connected app details page

If you want to add several referrals to the same app, it can be easier to add them directly from the app's [connected app details](/for-affiliates/connected-app-information.md) page.

While submitting referrals manually from this page, you must provide only the date and store URL.

## Approving manual referrals

After an affiliate submits a manual referral, the app owner will receive a notification with the data. The app owner can review the request and decide whether to approve it.

## Adding manual referrals on behalf of an affiliate

The app owner can add manual referrals directly from the affiliate details page in the app owner dashboard.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Please note!**\
Adding a manual referral on behalf of an affiliate will approve the referral immediately.
{% endhint %}

To do that, go to the specific affiliate page, click `Actions`, and choose `Add referral manually`.

## Manual referral commission calculation

When approving or adding a manual referral for an affiliate, you can choose from two commission calculation options:

1. **Calculate commission from Today**

   The affiliate's commission starts from the moment of approval, regardless of the app's installation date.
2. **Calculate commission from the App installation date**\
   This option calculates commission retroactively from the app's original installation date and assigns the corresponding revenue share to the affiliate.