> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.uppromote.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.uppromote.com/management/referrals.md).

# How to Manage Referral Orders in UpPromote

A referral order is a sale made through an affiliate's link, cookie, or coupon code. When that order is marked as paid in your Shopify store, UpPromote records it as a referral and emails you.

Each new referral shows up in your Referrals tab for you to review. You then approve or deny it. Only approved orders count toward an affiliate's commission, so this step keeps your numbers accurate.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Good to know:** A sale only becomes a referral order when it can be tracked to an affiliate. If you want, you can[ auto-approve referral orders](/settings/general-settings/auto-approve-order.md) so you don't have to review each one by hand.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/4OJ1zLfTDaiDxjynADkM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The pages below explain how tracking works, how to review orders, and how to handle returns.

### Understand how tracking works

Start here to see how UpPromote decides which affiliate gets credit for a sale.

* [How affiliate tracking works](/management/referrals/tracking-types-priority.md): learn the three tracking methods (link, coupon, and email) and which one wins when more than one applies.
* [Customer journey](/management/referrals/customer-journey.md): follow the path a customer takes from clicking an affiliate link to placing an order.

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### Review and manage referral orders

* [Referral list and details](/management/referrals/referral-list-and-details.md): see all your referral orders and open one to view its details.
* [Approve or deny a referral order](/management/referrals/approve-deny-a-referral-order.md): confirm valid orders, and reject the ones that don't qualify.
* [Manually add a referral](/management/referrals/manually-add-referral.md): credit an affiliate for a sale that wasn't tracked automatically.
* [Get the order ID](/management/referrals/get-order-id.md): find the Shopify order ID when you need it.

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### Handle returns

* [Returns and refunds](/management/referrals/return.md): see what happens to a referral order, and its commission, when a customer returns an item.

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### Frequently asked questions

#### When does a sale become a referral order?

When two things are true: the sale is tracked to an affiliate, and the order is marked as paid in Shopify. You can also choose to[ record pending orders as referrals](/settings/general-settings/record-pending-orders-as-referrals.md) if you want to track them earlier.

#### Do I have to approve every referral order?

No. You can review each one yourself, or turn on[ auto-approval](/settings/general-settings/auto-approve-order.md) so orders are approved for you. Only approved orders count toward commission.

#### What if two affiliates could get credit for the same sale?

UpPromote follows a set tracking priority to decide which affiliate gets credit. See[ How affiliate tracking works](/management/referrals/tracking-types-priority.md).

#### What happens if a customer returns their order?

You can deny the referral so it no longer counts toward commission. See[ Returns and refunds](/management/referrals/return.md).

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### Related articles

* [How Affiliate Tracking Works in UpPromote](/management/referrals/tracking-types-priority.md)
* [Set Up Your Commission Structure](/management/programs/program-settings/commission-structure.md)
* [Set Up Payment Methods](/management/payments.md)
* [Glossary: Key Terms in UpPromote](/basic-knowledge/basic-terms.md)

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*Last updated: June 2026*

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