How do I create custom referral links for thank you pages and emails?

Overview

Beyond the standard share buttons, you can create custom referral links that supporters can share via email or other channels, allowing you to track conversions from these sources as well. 

Step 1: Understand the referral link structure 

1. A referral link consists of your form URL with a referrer tracking parameter appended 

2. The basic structure is: {{FormUrl}}?ref={{ReferrerTrackingId}} 

3. This format automatically adds the supporter's unique tracking ID to the form URL 

Step 2: Create a basic referral link for thank you pages 

1. Edit your form's confirmation page content 

2. Add text encouraging supporters to share the form 

3. Insert the following merge field code where you want the link to appear:<a href="{{FormUrl}}?ref={{ReferrerTrackingId}}">{{FormUrl}}?ref={{ReferrerTrackingId}}</a> 
    

4. Alternatively, use linked text instead of showing the full URL:<a href="{{FormUrl}}?ref={{ReferrerTrackingId}}">Help us reach 20,000 petition signers. Share this link with friends and family!</a> 
    

Step 3: Add market source parameters (optional) 

1. For more detailed tracking, add a market source parameter to your link:<a href="{{FormUrl}}?ref={{ReferrerTrackingId}}&ms=link_taf">{{FormUrl}}?ref={{ReferrerTrackingId}}&ms=link_taf</a> 
    

2. This helps you identify which sharing method was used when analyzing your data 

Step 4: Create email sharing links (optional) 

1. To create a mailto link that opens the user's email program:<a href="mailto:?subject=Help%20me%20stop%this%20deadly%20change!&amp;body=Next%20week%20this%20administration%20will%20be%20making%20a%20change%20to%20environmental%20regulations%20that%20could%20prove%20deadly.%20Join%20me%20and%20People%20for%20Good%20in%20stopping%20them%20by%20taking%20this%20important%20action%20today!{{FormUrl}}?ref={{ReferrerTrackingId}}">Send this important email to friends and family!</a> 
    

2. Replace spaces with %20 in the subject and body text 

3. Include your form URL with the referrer tracking ID in the body of the email 

Step 5: Add custom social media share links (optional) 

1. Create a custom Facebook share link:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u={{FormUrl}}?ref={{ReferrerTrackingID}}">Help us reach 45,000 petitions signers! Share this action on Facebook!</a> 
    

2. Create a custom Twitter share link:<a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=Help%20stop%20these%20deadly%20changes!%20{{FormUrl}}?ref={{ReferrerTrackingId}}%20%23resist">Tweet this now</a> 
    

3. Remember that Twitter will automatically shorten URLs to 23 characters 

What else do you need help with? 

• Understanding Referrer Tracking and Social Share Buttons 
• How do I add Social Share Buttons to Online Actions forms? 
• How do I search for contacts who used shared links?