runpod · promptless · Aug 18, 2026 · promptless · Aug 18, 2026 · promptless
diff --git a/accounts-billing/referrals.mdx b/accounts-billing/referrals.mdx
 - **Bonus credits** for both you and your referral after they load \$10 on their account. The bonus amount depends on your location: 
 - **Bonus credits** for both you and your referral after they load \$10 on their account. The bonus amount depends on your location: 
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 ---
 title: "Referral, affiliate, and creator programs"
 sidebarTitle: "Referral programs"
 description: "Earn additional revenue through Runpod's referral, affiliate, and creator programs. Review account, billing, and management details for Runpod."
 ---

 Runpod offers three programs that help you earn additional revenue while helping us grow our community. Whether you're referring new users, creating popular templates, or driving significant traffic, there's a program that fits your contribution style.

 ## Runpod referral program

@@ -19,20 +19,21 @@
 - **Bonus credits** for both you and your referral after they load \$10 on their account. The bonus amount depends on your location:
  - **Non-European customers** receive a random weighted bonus between \$5 and \$500.
  - **European customers** receive a fixed \$5 bonus.
  - **Cross-region referrals**: If a European customer refers a non-European customer, the European customer receives \$5 and the non-European customer receives the random weighted bonus (\$5-\$500). If a non-European customer refers a European customer, the non-European customer receives the random weighted bonus and the European customer receives \$5.

 If you referred users before June 16, 2025, you're part of our beta program group. This means you'll continue earning commissions on their spend indefinitely, not just for 6 months.

 ### Eligibility requirements

 For a referral to qualify for rewards, the person you refer must meet the following requirements:
 
 - They must sign up using Google SSO. Referrals who sign up through any other method are not eligible for rewards.
-- They must be a first-time Runpod user. If they previously had a Runpod account under the same email address, they are not eligible.
+- They must be a first-time Runpod user, and the same email address must not have been used to sign up more than once.
 - They must be a first-time Runpod user. If they previously had a Runpod account under the same email address, they are not eligible. 
 - They must be a first-time Runpod user. If they previously had a Runpod account under the same email address, they are not eligible. 
+- They must load at least \$10 onto their account. The bonus credits are awarded only after this minimum \$10 load.
 
 ## Runpod affiliate program
 
 The affiliate program is designed for high-performing referrers who want to earn cash instead of credits. Through our partnership with Partnerstack, eligible referrers can earn 10% cash commissions on all referral spend.

 ### Eligibility and rewards

@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@

 Once you opt into the affiliate program, this decision is permanent. Choose carefully based on whether you prefer cash payments or Runpod Credits.

 For beta program participants (users referred before June 26, 2025), a special arrangement applies. These users will be eligible for Partnerstack commissions during their first 6 months. After that period, they'll return to the standard referral program but continue generating commissions indefinitely.

 ## Runpod creator program

@@ -65,21 +66,21 @@
 Getting started with any of these programs is straightforward:

 1. Navigate to your [referral dashboard](https://www.console.runpod.io/user/referrals) in the Runpod console.
 2. Find your unique referral link (it will look something like `https://runpod.io?ref=5t99c9je`).
 3. Share this link with potential users through your preferred channels.

 For the creator program, simply publish templates through your Runpod account and promote them to potential users.

 ## Important details

 Understanding how these programs work will help you maximize your earnings:

 1. **Referral commissions are based on actual usage, not purchases.** If someone you refer buys \$1,000 in credits, you won't earn commission until they actually use those credits on Pods or Serverless workloads.
 2. **New accounts only.** Referral links only work for brand new Runpod users. If someone already has an account, referring them won't generate commissions.
 3. **Bonus credit distribution varies by location.** Non-European customers receive credits through a weighted random system between \$5 and \$500, while European customers receive a fixed \$5 bonus. For non-European customers, most will receive a bonus of \$5, with about 96% receiving \$10 or less.

 ## Support

 Have questions about maximizing your earnings or need help with any of these programs? [Contact our support team](https://contact.runpod.io/hc/en-us/requests/new) for assistance.

 Remember, if you're transitioning to the affiliate program, you'll keep all earnings accumulated through the referral program before making the switch.