Boost app downloads and grow your user base with a powerful referral contest. This giveaway template helps you drive high-converting actions like app installs and user referrals — making it ideal for launching a new product, promoting a seasonal campaign, or scaling your customer referral program.
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App Download Referral Contest
Boost app downloads and grow your user base with a powerful referral contest. This giveaway template helps you drive high-converting actions like app installs and user referrals — making it ideal for launching a new product, promoting a seasonal campaign, or scaling your customer referral program.
With this ready-to-use template, participants earn entries by downloading your app and get bonus entries for every friend they refer using their unique referral link. This approach encourages sharing, increases engagement across social media, and helps you reach audiences you otherwise would not.
If your app is paid or gated behind a purchase, the Gleam platform includes built-in support for Alternate Methods of Entry (AMOE) where required — automatically enabling compliance with No Purchase Necessary laws in relevant countries.
Make sure to tick 'A purchase or donation is required for users to complete this Action' when your app is not free to download. See details on No Purchase Necessary laws here.
Template Features
- Built-in App Download action for iOS and Android
- Referral Link Tracking for bonus entries
- Automatic compliance with No Purchase Necessary laws
- Mobile-optimised entry form and landing page
- Fully customisable visuals, entry logic, and copy
- Action validation via app URL or referral link
- Email marketing integrations and GDPR-ready opt-ins
Using this template, you can drive targeted growth while keeping your campaign compliant and scalable — perfect for fast-moving startups, SaaS apps, and ecommerce platforms.
Benefits of Running a Referral Contest for App Downloads
This type of referral contest offering helps convert your audience into loyal promoters. When users refer their friends to download your app, they organically boost trust and engagement.
You will:
- Promote your app to a wider target audience
- Track referrals and identify your top brand advocates
- Collect email addresses and grow your email marketing list
- Improve conversion rates through incentive-based referrals
- Offer a chance to win while showcasing your product or service
Referral campaigns are highly effective when they create a sense of excitement and reward social sharing. Use this campaign format to fuel growth with measurable ROI.
Integration Support
This template is compatible with:
- App Download Action
- Referral Tracking
- [Google Play & Apple App Store Links]
- Email marketing integrations, Klaviyo, and more
- No Purchase Necessary Compliance
- All social media platforms for bonus action links
Official Gleam Documentation
- How to Promote an App with Giveaways
- What Is a Referral Contest?
- Referral vs Word-of-Mouth Marketing
- Setup Referral Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
An app download referral contest rewards users for downloading your app and referring others. Click to learn how to drive viral growth with referral campaigns and boost installs.
Offer bonus entries for each referral. This drives viral app installs and deeper engagement. Click to learn how Gleam tracks and rewards each app download referral.
Yes. If your app is paid, you must allow free entry in many countries. Click to learn how Gleam makes your contest legally compliant with a built-in AMOE.
Help
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See allHow to Set Up This App Download Referral Contest
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Select “App Download” as the User Action
Choose the App Download action to prompt users to install your mobile app. You can link to your app on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
➡ Learn how to configure App Download Actions -
Enable Referrals for Bonus Entries
Add a Refer Friends action to give users bonus entries when they invite friends using a unique referral link. This boosts visibility and encourages viral growth.
➡ How Referral Contests Work -
Comply With No Purchase Necessary Rules
If downloading your app involves a payment, make sure to tick the box for “A purchase or donation is required” in the action settings. Gleam will automatically display an Alternate Method of Entry (AMOE) for countries where required.
➡ No Purchase Necessary Guide -
Customise the Design & Messaging
Edit your campaign’s visuals, CTA buttons, copy, and layout to match your branding. Highlight your giveaway template, chance to win, and any referral rewards to convert passive visitors.
➡ Customise the design -
Connect Your Email Provider
Automatically collect email addresses and build your email marketing list by integrating with platforms like Mailchimp, Klaviyo, or MailerLite.
➡ Set up email integrations -
Launch Your Campaign
Once your app download and referral contest is configured, hit publish. Share the link through your social media, email campaigns, and landing page.
➡ Publishing & Managing Campaigns
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Boost app downloads and grow your user base with a powerful referral contest. This giveaway template helps you drive high-converting actions like app installs and user referrals — making it ideal for launching a new product, promoting a seasonal campaign, or scaling your customer referral program.