Referral campaigns can face abuse from gamers, who try to pass off as new customers to get rewards. Although spotting gamers is not always clear, Mention Me uses an algorithm to help detect and remove suspicious referrals.
Around 15% of referrals are suspicious, but this can be higher for luxury fashion brands. Most clients accept some gaming since it contributes to purchases, some being additional.
Mention Me evaluates each referral with a score based on various factors. You can use this score to prevent rewards for referrals by setting a rule. For instance, customers with gaming scores above a specific number won't receive rewards for a particular offer.
Components of the gaming score
The higher the gaming score, the more probable it is that the person is attempting to dishonestly claim a reward. Mention Me employs a list of rules, where each rule adds a specific amount to the gaming score when triggered (shown in brackets below).
Not all these rules activate immediately. For instance, referees aren't required to provide their name when claiming a reward, making it impossible for us to check for similar names.
Configuring the gaming score
There are two ways to use gaming score controls in your campaigns: on the referee side and the referrer side.
Implementing controls on the referee side stops potential fraudulent activity early, preventing a suspected gamer from getting their introductory reward. Instead, they are reviewed by your team before receiving the reward.
On the referrer side, referees get the benefit of the doubt and can claim their reward. If their subsequent purchase triggers gaming controls, the referrer gets reviewed before receiving the reward.
You have the option to configure either, both, or none of these controls based on your preference.
Acting on the gaming score
When referees or referrers exceed your set gaming score threshold, they're put in an approval queue before getting their rewards. Your team needs to regularly review this queue and decide whether to approve or decline customers' rewards.
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