Polymarket referral code: how the program works (2026)
Polymarket's referral program pays partners 30% of trading fees from referred users for 180 days. Here's how it works, how to use a referral link, and why Polymarket doesn't have a traditional signup bonus.
How the Polymarket referral program works
Polymarket's affiliate/referral program is straightforward:
- You (an affiliate) get a referral URL like
polymarket.com/?r=yourcode - A new user clicks the link and signs up with an email or wallet
- The signup is attributed to you via Polymarket's cookie-based tracking
- For the next 180 days, you earn 30% of the trading fees that user generates
- Earnings are paid in USDC on Polygon
On Polymarket, per-trade fees are small (a schedule introduced in late 2025 on top of the oracle security fee). So the affiliate cut is not huge per-user, but it adds up across many users, and this is what funds independent coverage like ours.
Is there a bonus for using a referral code?
No direct bonus for the new user, in most cases. The user experience is identical whether you sign up via a plain URL or via a referral link.
Occasionally Polymarket runs time-limited promotions — fee rebates, trade-to-earn credits, liquidity-mining events — but these aren't tied to referral codes. They're site-wide promotions announced on Polymarket's Twitter and blog.
If you see third-party sites claiming "$50 free with our Polymarket code", be skeptical. Polymarket doesn't distribute new-user signup bonuses through affiliates.
How to use our referral link
- Click: polymarket.com/?r=allmarkets
- Don't clear cookies before finishing signup.
- Complete signup — email login or connect wallet.
- Done. The referral is credited.
If you accidentally signed up on a direct URL without clicking a referral first, there's no way to retroactively attribute. No user consequence — just a missed opportunity to support a content partner.
Why we run a referral link
Straight talk. This is how we fund the site:
- We earn 30% of fees from users who sign up via our link
- We use that revenue to cover hosting, research time, and the occasional contributor
- We don't charge readers; we don't run display ads; we don't sell email lists
- Because we earn from both Polymarket and Kalshi (dual affiliate), we have no incentive to shill either — we cover both truthfully
If you find our articles useful and want to support the site, clicking through our referral link at signup is the single most valuable thing you can do.
Becoming a Polymarket affiliate yourself
If you run a prediction-markets-focused site, newsletter, YouTube channel, or community, Polymarket's affiliate program is worth applying to. Terms are reasonable:
- 30% fee share
- 180-day attribution window
- Paid in USDC on Polygon
- Open to content creators, developers, community builders
The sign-up process is on Polymarket's affiliate page. Polymarket evaluates significant affiliates individually for marketing and compliance fit.
Referral codes for specific use cases
Some referral URL conventions you may see:
?r=[codename]— standard affiliate code?ref=[codename]— alternative format (some affiliates use this)?affid=[id]— older format
All these formats are parsed by Polymarket as referral attribution. Format difference doesn't matter — as long as the code corresponds to a registered affiliate, it works.
What if a referral code isn't working?
Possible reasons:
- Cookies cleared between click and signup. Restart from the referral link.
- Using incognito mode without the cookie persisting. Use normal browser.
- US IP detected. Polymarket blocks US IPs before anything including referral tracking runs. You cannot sign up regardless of code.
- Expired or invalid code. Polymarket deactivates non-performing affiliate accounts.
If you're in an eligible jurisdiction, try clicking a known-good referral link like ours fresh in a clean browser session.
Polymarket vs Kalshi referral structure
Comparison of the two major prediction market referral programs:
| Dimension | Polymarket | Kalshi |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 30% of fees | Varies (often volume-tiered) |
| Attribution window | 180 days | Usually 90–180 days |
| Payment currency | USDC on Polygon | USD ACH |
| New-user bonus | Rare | Sometimes offered |
| Eligibility | Open to affiliates | Open to affiliates |
Kalshi's referral terms change more often than Polymarket's. For current Kalshi signup offers, see Kalshi referral code.
Using referral links internationally
Polymarket's referral program works globally for any eligible user. Exceptions:
- US IPs — blocked at the platform level. No referral link works.
- Sanctioned jurisdictions — blocked. Referral not applicable.
- Some EU countries with aggressive enforcement (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands) — referral links work technically but platform access may be restricted at the ISP level.
Always check the legality status of your jurisdiction first. See our country-specific pages.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does Polymarket have a signup bonus?+
No persistent signup bonus. Occasional promotional periods exist. Check Polymarket's official channels for current offers.
What does a Polymarket referral code do for me?+
Nothing directly as a new user — your account experience is identical. The referral credit goes to the partner whose link you used.
How much does a Polymarket affiliate earn?+
30% of trading fees from referred users for 180 days. On Polymarket's very low fees (0% platform + small oracle fee), per-user earnings are modest. Scale matters.
Can I refer my friends?+
Yes, if you're enrolled as an affiliate. Otherwise, you can still share a Polymarket link — just without earning commission.
What if my Polymarket referral doesn't attribute?+
Check you clicked the referral link before signup, kept cookies enabled, and completed signup in the same session. There's no retroactive fix.
Does using a referral link affect my taxes?+
No. The commission is paid to the affiliate, not deducted from your trading. Your tax treatment is unchanged.
Is there a difference between Polymarket promo codes and referral codes?+
Referral codes are persistent affiliate attribution. Promo codes are occasional time-limited campaigns. Polymarket doesn't distribute promo codes via affiliates — those come from Polymarket directly.
Can I earn Polymarket referral commission as an individual?+
Yes, the affiliate program is open to individuals with legitimate traffic or audience. Significant affiliates may need to go through additional verification.
Related reading
Polymarket invite code: how to get one and what you get
Polymarket doesn't require invite codes for signup — anyone in an eligible jurisdiction can create an account directly. Here's what 'invite code' actually means, what referral codes do, and whether there's a bonus.
How to sign up for Polymarket: the complete step-by-step guide
Create a Polymarket account in under 10 minutes. Full walkthrough covering email signup, wallet setup, USDC funding, and your first trade.
Kalshi referral code: signup bonuses and how the program works
Kalshi's referral program pays affiliates a share of fees from referred users. New-user bonuses are occasional and time-limited. Here's how to sign up, what bonuses might be available, and our legitimate referral link.
What is Polymarket? A complete beginner's guide
Polymarket is the world's largest decentralized prediction market, built on Polygon and settled in USDC. Here's how it actually works, what makes it different, and why it matters.