How did someone sign up as my referral?

[HoveringWombats]

I got a notification that someone signed up as my referral. Only problem is, to my knowledge, I haven't referred anybody. How would this happen? Is it something I need to worry about? (Mainly just hoping that a referral isn't somehow considered me vouching for the person, because I have no idea who it is or where they came from.....)

 

[Megnut]

I got a notification that someone signed up as my referral. Only problem is, to my knowledge, I haven't referred anybody. How would this happen? Is it something I need to worry about? (Mainly just hoping that a referral isn't somehow considered me vouching for the person, because I have no idea who it is or where they came from.....)

Tagging @Fraize because he knows all this hard stuff.

 

[Fraize]

I got a notification that someone signed up as my referral. Only problem is, to my knowledge, I haven't referred anybody. How would this happen? Is it something I need to worry about? (Mainly just hoping that a referral isn't somehow considered me vouching for the person, because I have no idea who it is or where they came from.....)

Imagine you're a new Websleuths visitor, and you found us by clicking a link you found on the internet (could be social media, could be another forum, could be an email, it could even be a link on another post from within Websleuths!) with a particularly interesting factoid about a case. You browse and you read and suddenly you're compelled to join!

The person who shared that link gets credit for bringing in a new user.

But don't worry! You're not at all responsible for their behavior. We just want to give credit to those of you who are actively helping make Websleuths grow. Guardians help by becoming paid members, but some folks who may not be in a position to help financially can help by sharing links and bringing in new faces.

Referral links are automatic – no special steps required to create one. However, if you'd prefer to not receive credit for your referrals, you can click on your user-preferences here, click the checkbox next to "Remove referrals," and press Save. Your links will no longer generate referrals.

 

[HoveringWombats]

The person who shared that link gets credit for bringing in a new user.

Thanks, makes sense. I am pretty sure I haven't shared any websleuths links with anyone, but no big deal. I was just curious!

 

[Fraize]

Thanks, makes sense. I am pretty sure I haven't shared any websleuths links with anyone, but no big deal. I was just curious!

This came up with another user last week. They inadvertently created a referral link by mentioning another post like this. If a new user clicks that link in our conversation, and later on during that session creates an account, that would count a referral for me.

 

[Megnut]

This came up with another user last week. They inadvertently created a referral link by mentioning another post like this. If a new user clicks that link in our conversation, and later on during that session creates an account, that would count a referral for me.

You had to know we're all gonna click on that.

We can't help ourselves.

 

[NavySubMom]

Imagine you're a new Websleuths visitor, and you found us by clicking a link you found on the internet (could be social media, could be another forum, could be an email, it could even be a link on another post from within Websleuths!) with a particularly interesting factoid about a case. You browse and you read and suddenly you're compelled to join!

The person who shared that link gets credit for bringing in a new user.

But don't worry! You're not at all responsible for their behavior. We just want to give credit to those of you who are actively helping make Websleuths grow. Guardians help by becoming paid members, but some folks who may not be in a position to help financially can help by sharing links and bringing in new faces.

Referral links are automatic – no special steps required to create one. However, if you'd prefer to not receive credit for your referrals, you can click on your user-preferences here, click the checkbox next to "Remove referrals," and press Save. Your links will no longer generate referrals.

Woah I was not aware of that “Preferences” area on the forum ! I am surprised at myself, as I usually check all available links/boxes/tabs, etc when I click on new websites I am visiting/joining.

I guess being here at Websleuths in its very first days, I came from the “double B Webbsleuths” forum, it seemed so comfortable here , I never fully checked around at all areas of this site !

 

[HoveringWombats]

This came up with another user last week. They inadvertently created a referral link by mentioning another post like this. If a new user clicks that link in our conversation, and later on during that session creates an account, that would count a referral for me.

Ah, yeah, I bet this is what happened. So much repetitive stuff in the thread that shall not be named, so I definitely have just linked back to my own posts (using the share button) a few times. Makes complete sense now!

When does my referral bonus check arrive?