> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.partnero.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Refer-a-friend API overview

> API endpoints for customer referral programs. Track referring customers, referred sign-ups, and reward both parties.

The refer-a-friend API manages customer-to-customer referral programs. Unlike affiliate programs (partner → customer), refer-a-friend programs let your existing customers refer new customers and earn rewards.

## Key differences from affiliate programs

| Concept            | Affiliate programs     | Refer-a-friend programs          |
| ------------------ | ---------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Referrer           | Partner                | Referring customer               |
| New sign-up        | Customer               | Referred customer                |
| Cookie name        | `partnero_partner`     | `partnero_referral`              |
| Identifier field   | `partner.key`          | `referring_customer.key`         |
| Transaction fields | `partner` + `customer` | `customer` + `referred_customer` |

## Available endpoints

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Customers" icon="users" href="/api-reference/refer-a-friend/customers">
    Create, list, update, and manage referring and referred customers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Transactions" icon="receipt" href="/api-reference/refer-a-friend/transactions">
    Track purchases from referred customers
  </Card>
</CardGroup>