Before you start
- Role. Any team member can create, disable, enable, and delete codes.
- You need a program. A code points at one program or at all of them. The program picker lists active and draft programs; drafts are marked "(draft)".
- What a code is not. It does not send email and it does not skip review. Everyone who uses it applies, and you approve or decline.
- Nothing is editable later. Program, campaign name, usage limit, and expiry are fixed when you create the code. To change one, create a new code.
Create a code
Invite codes → Create invite code.
| Field | Rules |
|---|---|
| Program | One program, or "All programs (brand-wide)" |
| Campaign name | Optional, up to 100 characters. Shown to the applicant as "Invited via …" and in your list |
| Usage limit | Off by default. When on, Maximum uses is a whole number from 1 to 10,000 |
| Expiration date | Off by default. When on, a date and time after which the code stops accepting signups |
Kindling generates the code. It is eight characters in the form NVKJ-BD3K, drawn from uppercase letters and digits with I, O, 0, and 1 left out so it survives being read aloud or printed. The link is https://app.kindlinghq.com/i/NVKJ-BD3K. Case and the hyphen do not matter when the link is opened.
After creation the screen shows the code and the link with a Copy button. You can also copy the link from any row on the Invite codes list.
Scoping a code
Single program. The link opens a landing page for that program with an Apply button that goes to its apply page. Use it when you know which program they belong in. The landing page renders even if the program is paused or closed; the application is refused when they submit it, because only active programs accept applications.
All programs. The link lists every program of yours that is active and accepting applications, and the advocate picks one. If there are none, the page tells them you have no programs accepting applications.
Limits and expiry
Maximum uses counts applications, not approvals. The count goes up the moment someone submits an application through the code, so a declined applicant still consumes a use. When the count reaches the limit, the code shows Limit reached and the link stops working.
Expiry is a date and time. Once it passes, the code shows Expired and the link stops working.
Expired and limit-reached codes keep their history: the usage count stays on the row and every application that came through the code stays linked to it.
Reading the list
Columns: Code, Program (or "All programs"), Campaign, Usage, Status, Created.
Usage shows signups, as 12 or 12/100 when a limit is set. Created is the code's age.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | Accepting signups |
| Expired | Past its expiry date and time |
| Limit reached | Usage count has reached the maximum |
| Disabled | Turned off from the row menu |
A code that is both disabled and expired shows Disabled.
Actions on a code
The menu at the end of each row:
| Action | What it does |
|---|---|
| Copy link | Copies the /i/CODE link |
| Open link | Opens the landing page in a new tab, so you see what the advocate sees |
| Disable code / Enable code | Stops or restores the link. Reversible; the code keeps its history |
| Delete code | Removes the code. There is no undo. The link stops working, and every application that came through the code loses its link to it, so the code's attribution history is gone |
The delete confirmation says the link will stop working. It does not say that attribution is lost; it is. If you only want the link to stop working, disable the code instead.
Where to use them
- A customer newsletter, with a campaign name matching the send
- A CSM's follow-up after a renewal or a strong support interaction
- A QR code at a user conference
- Inside your product, for customers who hit a milestone
Give each channel its own code. That is the only way to learn which one recruits.
Troubleshooting
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| The link shows "Invalid Invite Link" | The page says why: deactivated, expired, or at its usage limit. Enable the code if it was disabled; otherwise create a new one |
| The link works but the application is refused | The program is not active. Only active programs accept applications |
| I want to stop a code right now | Disable code from the row menu. It takes effect immediately and can be reversed |
| Usage went up but nobody new is approved | Usage counts applications. Check the program's Manage applications page or Advocates → Pending |
| I need to change the expiry or the limit | You cannot. Disable or delete the code and create a new one |
| Signups are not labeled with a campaign | The campaign name is set when the code is created. A code without one still counts usage and links each application to the code; only the "Invited via" label is missing |
Questions about invite codes: support@kindlinghq.com.