Important: Custom referral codes are only supported on platforms where ReferralCandy auto-generates coupon codes for the platform (currently Shopify and BigCommerce). If you're using BigCommerce, visit this article.
After someone clicks an advocate’s or affiliate’s referral link, ReferralCandy shows the referred friend a friend-offer discount code (only when your friend offer type is Coupon). This guide explains how to change that discount code — not the referral link.
Before you start
You can only edit a contact’s referral code when:
Your campaign’s friend offer type is Coupon
The contact is enrolled in the campaign
Edit the contact’s referral code
From your Shopify admin, go to Apps → ReferralCandy → Contacts.
Search for the contact you want to update, then open their contact details.
In the top-right, click More actions → Edit discount code.
Select the campaign.
In Custom coupon code, enter the new referral code you want to use.
Click Save.
Note: If your campaign is paused/stopped, or the contact is unenrolled, the referral code becomes invalid. The code stays assigned to that person and becomes valid again once the campaign is live again or the contact is re-enrolled.
What happens after you update the code?
The contact’s old referral code is disabled, and they’ll need to share the new code going forward.
Both the old and new codes remain attributed to the same contact and can’t be reassigned to another contact or campaign.
Any referred purchases made before the change that are still within the review period remain assigned to the contact and aren’t affected.
FAQ / Troubleshooting
Can my advocates or affiliates edit their referral code themselves?
Can my advocates or affiliates edit their referral code themselves?
No. Advocates and affiliates don’t have the option to customize their own referral code. Only store admins can update it.
Why am I getting the “Custom code already exists” error?
Why am I getting the “Custom code already exists” error?
This happens when that code is already being used by another contact (or already exists in your store/campaign). Choose a different code.
Why can’t I change a contact’s referral code?
Why can’t I change a contact’s referral code?
Editing a referral code is only available when:
You’re on Shopify (or BigCommerce) where coupon codes are auto-generated
Your campaign uses Coupon as the friend offer type
The contact is enrolled in the campaign
If you still get an error, the code may already be in use — try a different code.