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

# Referral Emails

> The three built-in referral emails, Referrer welcome, Friend reward unlocked and Referrer reward issued, with their default subjects and delays.

<Note>
  **Where to find this:** Shopify admin → Apps → Yuko Loyalty → Referral → Emails
</Note>

Your [referral program](/referrals/overview) has three built-in emails. They start **inactive**. Switch them on in **Referral → Emails** and edit them in the [Template Editor](/emails/template-editor).

| Email | Sent to | Sent when | Default subject |
| - | - | - | - |
| [Referrer welcome](#referrer-welcome) | The referrer | They join the referral program | Welcome to our referral program |
| [Friend reward unlocked](#friend-reward-unlocked) | The referred friend | They claim their friend reward | Your referral discount is ready |
| [Referrer reward issued](#referrer-reward-issued) | The referrer | Their reward is issued for a successful referral | Your referral advocate reward is ready |

Each email has a delay setting (**Days after Referrer welcome**, **Days after Friend reward unlocked**, **Days after Referrer reward issued**). Leave it at **0** to send immediately.

## Referrer welcome

**Sent when:** a customer joins your referral program as a referrer.

**Default subject:** *Welcome to our referral program*

**Default message:** Greeting → thanks for joining → *"Here is your personal referral link: `{{ referral_link }}`"* → share the link, and when friends complete their first purchase you may earn rewards.

**Useful shortcodes:** `{{ first_name }}`, `{{ referral_link }}`, `{{ referral_code }}`, `{{ advocate_name }}`, `{{ expiry }}`.

<Tip>**Make the link the hero.** This email is what gets referrers sharing, so put `{{ referral_link }}` in a button, not just the body text.</Tip>

***

## Friend reward unlocked

**Sent when:** a referred friend claims their friend reward, for example through the [Friend Welcome Popup](/referrals/widgets/friend-welcome-popup). It goes to the **friend**.

**Default subject:** *Your referral discount is ready*

**Default message:** Greeting → *"You've just unlocked a special discount through a referral. Here is your discount code: `{{ discount_code }}`"* → enter it at checkout.

**Useful shortcodes:** `{{ discount_code }}`, `{{ reward_value }}`, `{{ reward_type }}`, `{{ expires_at }}`, `{{ referred_by }}`, `{{ referral_code_used }}`.

<Tip>**Mention who sent them.** `{{ referred_by }}` makes the email feel personal and builds trust with a first-time shopper.</Tip>

***

## Referrer reward issued

**Sent when:** a referrer earns their reward because a friend they referred completed a qualifying order. It goes to the **referrer**.

**Default subject:** *Your referral advocate reward is ready*

**Default message:** Greeting → *"You've just unlocked a special reward through a referral. Here is your reward code/ value: `{{ discount_code }}`"*.

**Useful shortcodes:** `{{ discount_code }}`, `{{ reward_value }}`, `{{ reward_type }}`, `{{ friend_first_name }}`, `{{ total_referrals }}`, `{{ points_balance }}`.

<Tip>**Show their progress.** `{{ total_referrals }}` gives your best referrers a reason to keep sharing.</Tip>

## Best practices

<Tip>**Turn on all three together.** They cover both sides of the referral loop: the referrer gets their link, the friend gets their code, and the referrer hears when it paid off.</Tip>
<Tip>**Test with a real referral.** Join as a referrer, open your link in a private window, claim the friend reward and place a test order. This checks all three emails.</Tip>

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I send a milestone email, for example after 5 referrals?">
    Not as a separate email. Workflow conditions can't filter on referral count, so the simplest option is to mention the count in Referrer reward issued with `{{ total_referrals }}`. For other follow-ups, build a [workflow](/workflows/overview) on the **Referrer Rewarded** trigger.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there an email when a referral is completed?">
    There's no built-in one, but you can build a workflow on the **Referral Completed** trigger.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Loyalty Emails" icon="star" href="/emails/loyalty-emails">
    Points earned and redeemed, tier unlocked, expiry, birthday and anniversary.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Referral Emails" icon="share-nodes" href="/emails/referral-emails">
    Referrer welcome, friend reward unlocked and referrer reward issued.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Membership Emails" icon="id-card" href="/emails/membership-emails">
    Membership created, upgraded, downgraded and cancelled.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Template Editor" icon="pen-to-square" href="/emails/template-editor">
    Edit content and delays, send a test, or use the Advanced Editor.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Shortcodes Reference" icon="code" href="/emails/shortcodes">
    Every shortcode by group, including redemption links.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Email Settings & Custom Domains" icon="envelope-open-text" href="/emails/sender-and-branding">
    From name, Reply-To, default From address and your own sending domain.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Book a Free Setup Call" icon="phone" href="https://cal.com/rameshelamathi/yuko-demo">
    Talk to our team for personalised setup help.

    **Time:** 30 minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contact Support" icon="life-ring" href="https://yuko.so/support/">
    Visit our support hub for help articles, live chat and ticket submission.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Browse the Guides" icon="book" href="/getting-started/welcome">
    Documentation across loyalty, referrals, memberships and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install Yuko" icon="shop" href="https://apps.shopify.com/yuko">
    Add Yuko to your Shopify store from the Shopify App Store.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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