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When you create an announcement you first choose its format — the shape it takes inside the affiliate portal. There are three, and each has its own look and settings. This page walks through all three and the options you’ll find on the Design & Content tab of the editor. A live preview sits next to the editor the whole time, so every change you make shows up straight away. Pick your format first, then shape the content and look.

Choose a format

  • Pop-up — a card that opens over the affiliate’s dashboard. The most eye-catching option, best for a promotion or an update you want people to act on right away.
  • Banner — a slim bar pinned to the top or bottom of the portal. Quieter than a pop-up, good for a standing reminder.
  • Poll — a question with answer options your affiliates can vote on. Best for gathering quick feedback.
You set the format when you create the announcement, so if you want a different one, start a new announcement.

Pop-up settings

A pop-up gives you the most control over layout and content.

Style and position

Under Style, pick a Style Variant — each is a ready-made layout, from a simple text card to a bolder image-led design. Then set the Position on the screen: center, or tucked into a corner. Some layouts are designed to sit in a corner rather than the middle, so the available positions change with the style you pick.

Header image or icon

Depending on the layout, a pop-up can lead with a small icon or a larger image, GIF, or video at the top. Choose an icon from the built-in set, upload your own image or GIF, or paste a YouTube link. Keep visuals light so the portal still loads quickly.

Title and message

Add a Title, an optional Subtitle (on the layouts that support one), and the Body text of your message. Write the body the way you’d talk to your affiliates — short and clear beats long and formal. Some pop-up layouts let you add more than one step, so you can walk affiliates through a short sequence — for example an intro, then the offer — inside a single pop-up.

Call-to-action button

The Call to Action controls the button at the bottom of the pop-up:
  • Button text — what the button says, such as Got it! or Claim offer.
  • Action — what happens when it’s clicked. Choose Dismiss announcement to simply close the pop-up, or Open URL to send the affiliate somewhere.
  • URL — the link to open, shown when you pick Open URL. Turn on Open in new tab to keep the portal open behind it.
You can also fine-tune the button’s width, alignment, and shape under Button Style.

Countdown timer

Turn on the Countdown Timer to add urgency to a limited-time offer. Set when the countdown ends, choose a Bar or Cards style, and optionally disable the button after the countdown ends so the offer closes itself when time runs out. A banner is a compact bar rather than a full card. Its settings are a trimmed-down version of the pop-up’s:
  • Position — pin the banner to the Top or Bottom of the portal.
  • Style Variant — pick one of the ready-made banner looks.
  • Content — add your message text and a call-to-action button, with the same Dismiss or Open URL actions as a pop-up.
Because a banner stays on the page rather than interrupting, it’s the better choice for an ongoing reminder — a live promotion or a link to new marketing assets.

Poll settings

A poll asks your affiliates a question and lets them vote.
  • Poll Style — show the answers as a plain List or as numbered options (Numbers).
  • Position — center the poll or tuck it into a bottom corner.
  • Question and options — type your question, then add each answer. Use Add option to include as many choices as you need.
Once it’s live, affiliates vote from their portal, and you can watch the responses come in on the announcement’s Results tab. Polls are a quick way to decide what to build or promote next — for example asking which reward or asset type affiliates want.

Hide Referly branding

By default announcements carry a small “Powered by Referly” badge. Turn on Hide Referly Branding to remove it for a fully white-labelled look. This option may depend on your plan.

Preview before you send

Whatever format you choose, use the preview beside the editor to check how the announcement looks before publishing. When you’re happy with the design, move on to the Setup tab to decide who sees it and when.

Announcements overview

How announcements work and where they appear.

Target an audience

Send an announcement to everyone or a filtered group.

Marketing assets

Link a pop-up straight to the banners and links affiliates promote with.

Messages overview

Have two-way conversations with your affiliates instead.
Last modified on July 21, 2026