---
title: Set up first-time referral only override
slug: set-up-first-time-referral-only-override
description: Reward ambassadors when referred customers buy again within your eligibility window using Roster's recurring order tracking.
docTags: 
createdAt: 2024-12-16T22:20:21.815Z
---

With first-time referral only turned on, a commission is generated only for a customer's first referred order. If that customer has been referred before, by any ambassador, their later orders are not attributed, so no further commission is created for them.

:::hint{type="info"}
*From the setting in Roster: "When enabled, commissions are only generated for a customer's first referred order. If the customer was referred before, by any ambassador (even one who is no longer active), later orders are not attributed."*
:::

This is useful when you want to reward the ambassador who first brings a customer in, but you do not want to keep paying commissions every time that same customer is referred again later.

***

## How it works

- A commission is generated for a customer's **first referred order** only.
- "Referred before" is judged across your **whole program history and every ambassador**, including ambassadors who are no longer active. If the customer was ever referred before, this order counts as a later order.
- Those **later orders are not attributed** to an ambassador, so they generate no commission.

:::hint{type="info"}
**It affects attribution, not just the rate.** Unlike the rate overrides (product, contact tag, recurring), this setting can stop a later order from being attributed at all. When that happens there is no commission to calculate.
:::

***

### Example

**Jane's first referred order.** Alice refers Jane, and Jane places her first referred order. The order is attributed to Alice and a commission is generated.

**Jane is referred again later.** Some time later Jane clicks a referral link or uses a code again (from Alice or from another ambassador, Ben). Because Jane has already been referred before, this later order is not attributed and no commission is generated, for Alice, Ben, or anyone else.

***

## How to turn it on

1. Go to the program's settings in Roster.
2. Click on the **Referrals **tab and scroll down to **Referral commissions**.
3. Click into **Commission overrides** to enable **First-time referral only**.
4. Save your settings.

***

## How it works with other commission overrides

First-time referral only is decided at attribution time, before any rate is worked out. If an order is not attributed because the customer was referred before, your rate overrides (product, contact tag, recurring) do not come into play for that order, there is simply no commission. For a customer's first referred order, which does earn, your normal rates and overrides apply as usual. For the full picture, see the **[Commission overrides](https://docs.getroster.com/commission-overrides-guide)** overview.

***

## Frequently asked questions

**Does the first referred order still earn normally?**

Yes. A customer's first referred order is attributed and rewarded as usual. The setting only affects that customer's later referred orders.

**What if a different ambassador refers the same customer later?**

The later order is still not attributed. Once a customer has been referred for the first time, later referred orders do not generate a commission for any ambassador, including a different one.

**Does it matter if the original ambassador is no longer active?**

No. If the customer was referred before by any ambassador, even one who has left your program, their later orders are still treated as later orders and are not attributed.

**Is this the same as limiting recurring commissions to new customers?**

No. First-time referral only looks at whether the customer was ever referred before. Limiting recurring commissions to new customers looks at whether the customer was new to your brand (had never purchased before). They are separate controls.

***

## Next steps

- [Commission overrides guide](https://docs.getroster.com/commission-overrides)
- [Referral rewards guide](https://docs.getroster.com/referral-rewards-guide)
- [Referral Rewards FAQs](https://docs.getroster.com/referral-reward-faqs)

***

## Need help?

If you have any questions or need assistance with commission overrides, contact our customer success team at [support@getroster.com](mailto\:support@getroster.com). We're here to help!