What it means
In affiliate marketing, referral a visitor who arrives at a website through an affiliate's link or recommendation. In SaaS, this typically refers to a tracked visit that may lead to a signup or purchase.
Why it matters
Whether you're launching a new affiliate program or scaling an existing one, understanding referral helps you make better decisions about commission structures, partner recruitment, and growth tactics. Most SaaS founders run into this concept early and benefit from a clear mental model before they start building.
See also
Related terms in the affiliate marketing glossary that connect to referral:
- Referral Code -- A unique alphanumeric identifier assigned to an affiliate, used in URLs or as coupon codes to track which affiliate r...
- Referral Link -- A unique URL containing an affiliate's tracking code that attributes clicks and conversions to the affiliate. Also ca...
- Referral Program -- A structured system where existing customers or partners are rewarded for recommending a product to new customers. Of...