Referral System
FanFest's referral system enables fans to share content through personalized referral links. Every shareable piece of content -- shows, threads, contests, and channels -- can be distributed via these links, driving organic growth and rewarding fans for spreading the word.
How Referrals Work
When a fan shares content from FanFest, the platform generates a unique referral link that:
- Tracks the referrer -- The link is associated with the fan who shared it.
- Links to the content -- The link navigates directly to the shared show, thread, or channel.
- Includes rich previews -- The link embeds Open Graph metadata (title, description, image) for attractive previews on social media and messaging apps.
Sharing Flow
- A fan clicks the share button on any piece of content.
- FanFest generates a personalized referral link with Open Graph metadata.
- On mobile: The device's native share sheet opens, allowing the fan to share via any installed app (WhatsApp, Instagram, X, etc.).
- On desktop: The referral link is copied to the clipboard with a confirmation notification.
Shareable Content Types
| Content Type | Route Target | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Channel | Channel homepage | Share the entire channel |
| Show | Show page | Share a live or recorded show |
| Thread | Thread detail page | Share a community discussion |
| Quiz / Raffle | Channel page | Share a contest (navigates to channel context) |
Referral Links in Practice
For Authenticated Users
When a logged-in fan shares content, the referral link is created through the platform's referral service. This link:
- Associates the share with the fan's user account
- Includes proper Open Graph tags for rich social media previews
- Uses the channel's logo as the default preview image (or the content's image if available)
For Anonymous Users
If a user is not logged in, the system generates a direct link to the content without referral tracking. The content is still accessible, but the share is not attributed to any user.
Referral Invitation Display
When a new user arrives at FanFest through a referral link, they see a referral invitation during the login/registration flow. This invitation displays:
- The referrer's avatar
- A personalized message indicating who invited them (e.g., "JohnDoe has invited you to join!")
This social proof encourages the new user to complete registration and engage with the platform.
Sharing from Different Features
Threads
Every thread card includes a share button. When tapped, it generates a referral link to the specific thread within its channel and community context. The Open Graph title is set to a generic sharing message.
Shows
Show pages include share functionality that generates links to the specific show. The link includes the show's title and thumbnail for rich previews.
Contests
Quizzes and raffles can be shared, with the referral link navigating to the channel where the contest is active.
Event Tracking
FanFest tracks referral sharing as an engagement event. When a fan generates a referral link, the platform logs:
- Event:
GenerateReferralLink - Category: Based on the content type (Shows, Threads, etc.)
- Metadata: Experience ID, experience type, and title
This data feeds into the channel's analytics and helps operators understand which content drives the most organic sharing.
Best Practices
For Channel Operators
- Create shareable content: Shows with engaging thumbnails and threads with compelling topics are more likely to be shared.
- Encourage sharing: Remind fans during shows and in threads that they can share to invite friends.
- Monitor sharing analytics: Use the Behavioral Data Browser to see which content generates the most referral activity.
For Fans
- Share during live events: Sharing a live show link while it is happening can bring in viewers in real time.
- Share threads you create: Posting a discussion thread and then sharing it expands your reach beyond the existing community.
Related
- Threads -- Sharing threads via referral links
- Points System -- How engagement contributes to points
- Analytics -- Tracking referral and sharing metrics