Limited time offer

Earn up to $1,500 on your first merchant referral

Refer your first net new merchant to Shopify between October 1 and December 31, 2026 and earn a one-time bonus of up to $1,500 USD, set by the merchant's plan. Terms and conditions apply, see details below.

Get started

The bonus

A one-time bonus on your first qualifying merchant

One-time bonus in USD, set by the plan active at the time the merchant makes their first qualifying payment. Paid once per Partner, on your first qualifying merchant.

Basic

$150 USD

When your first qualifying merchant is on the Basic plan.

Grow

$300 USD

When your first qualifying merchant is on the Grow plan.

Advanced

$600 USD

When your first qualifying merchant is on the Advanced plan.

Plus

$1,500 USD

When your first qualifying merchant is on the Plus plan.

How it works

Step one

Refer a net new merchant

Create a client transfer store in the Partner Dashboard and transfer it to your client, or submit a Plus lead through the Partner Dashboard for Shopify sales assisted Plus deals.

Step two

Your client makes their first payment

The store transfer or lead submission, and your client's first payment, must be completed between October 1, 2026 and 11:59 PM EST on December 31, 2026.

Step three

Earn your bonus

Your bonus is set by the plan active at your client's first payment. Please allow up to three months after December 31, 2026 for the payout to be processed.

Frequently asked questions

Who can earn this bonus?

All active Shopify Partners in good standing may qualify. Partners who had a qualifying merchant between January 1, 2026 and October 1, 2026 are not eligible.

How many times can I earn this bonus?

Once. Each eligible Partner may earn this bonus once during the Promotion Period, paid on your first qualifying merchant activation within the Promotion Period only.

Which referrals qualify?

Referrals must originate from a client transfer store created in the Partner Dashboard and transferred to the merchant (Basic, Grow, Advanced and Plus plans), or from a Plus lead submitted through the Partner Dashboard for Shopify sales assisted Plus deals. The merchant must be a Net New Merchant: a prospective Shopify merchant that has never been a paying Shopify customer and is joining the platform for the first time.

Do expansion stores, upgrades or self-referrals count?

No. Expansion stores and upgrades on existing merchants do not qualify. Referrals of Partner owned stores, or stores owned by the Partner's business, are not eligible, and employees of merchants are not eligible to submit referrals.

How is my bonus amount decided?

By the plan active when your client makes their first qualifying payment. A merchant who later upgrades does not generate a further bonus. A merchant who downgrades before the first payment is assessed at the plan in effect at first payment.

Can I combine this bonus with other offers?

This bonus is stackable with platform fee credits. It is not stackable with Partner Development Funds or with the Bluebird Q4 2026 Retail and B2B promotion. Where a single referral qualifies under both this bonus and the Bluebird promotion, the higher of the two bonus amounts applies. Payouts under the standing partner incentive terms remain separately earned.

When will I be paid?

Please allow up to three months after December 31, 2026 for the payout to be processed.

Ready to refer your first merchant?

Terms and conditions

Promotion period: October 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026

The following terms and conditions govern the referral bonus offers available to eligible Shopify Partners during the Promotion Period. These terms are in addition to, and do not replace, the Shopify Partner Program Agreement and the standing partner incentive terms.

Bonus amounts

Basic: $150 USD. Grow: $300 USD. Advanced: $600 USD. Plus: $1,500 USD. One-time bonus in USD, set by the plan active at the time the merchant makes their first qualifying payment. Paid once per Partner, on your first qualifying merchant.

Who can earn it

Qualification. All active Shopify Partners in good standing may qualify for this incentive.
Prior activity. Partners who had a qualifying merchant between January 1, 2026 and October 1, 2026 are not eligible.
One bonus per Partner. Each eligible Partner may earn this bonus once during the Promotion Period. The bonus is paid on the Partner's first qualifying merchant activation within the Promotion Period only.

What counts as a qualifying referral

Referral method. Referrals must originate by:
- a client transfer store created in the Partner Dashboard and transferred to the merchant, for Basic, Grow, Advanced and Plus plans, or
- a Plus lead submitted through the Partner Dashboard, for Shopify sales assisted Plus deals.
Net new merchants. The referred merchant must be a Net New Merchant. A Net New Merchant is a prospective Shopify merchant that has never been a paying Shopify customer and is joining the platform for the first time. Expansion stores do not qualify. Upgrades on existing merchants do not qualify for this bonus.
Self-referrals. Referrals of Partner owned stores, or stores owned by the Partner's business, are not eligible. Employees of merchants are also not eligible to submit referrals.

Timing, payment and other promotions

Qualifying window. The store transfer/lead submission, and the merchant's first payment, must be completed between October 1, 2026 and 11:59 PM EST on December 31, 2026.
Plan determination. The bonus tier is set by the plan active at the time the merchant makes their first qualifying payment. A merchant who later upgrades does not generate a further bonus. A merchant who downgrades before the first payment is assessed at the plan in effect at first payment.
Interaction with other promotions. This bonus is stackable with platform fee credits. It is not stackable with Partner Development Funds. It is not stackable with the Bluebird Q4 2026 Retail and B2B promotion. Where a single referral qualifies under both, the higher of the two bonus amounts applies.
Standing payouts unaffected. Payouts under the standing partner incentive terms, remain separately earned.
Payout timing. Please allow up to three months after December 31, 2026 for the payout to be processed.
Modification or cancellation. Shopify reserves the right to verify eligibility and to disqualify any referral that does not meet these terms. Shopify reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel this promotion at any time without prior notice.