Referral

Referral metrics measure how effectively your existing users bring in new users through word-of-mouth, invites, or sharing features. These metrics capture the viral component of your growth strategy.

Key referral metrics include referral rate (percentage of users who refer others), the average number of referrals per user, invite acceptance rate, and the viral coefficient (how many new users each existing user brings in on average). A viral coefficient above 1.0 indicates that each user brings in more than one new user, creating self-sustaining growth.

Referral programs work best when they deliver value to both parties and when the act of sharing feels natural rather than forced. The most effective referrals happen when users genuinely love your product and want to share it with others who would benefit, rather than simply seeking rewards.