← View All Guides
Intercom logo
Integration Guide

How to Use Intercom Messenger Prompts for Referrals with GrowSurf

Use GrowSurf's native Intercom sync to target referral prompts in Intercom Outbound with live participant data.

Want the full setup walkthrough?

Use these docs for exact setup steps, supported fields, and troubleshooting.

GrowSurf's Intercom integration syncs each participant's share link, referral status, counts, and milestone data onto the matching Intercom contact.

That lets you launch referral prompts in Intercom Outbound without rebuilding your referral logic somewhere else. GrowSurf keeps the data current, and Intercom decides who should see the message and when.

Integration Steps

Connect Intercom in GrowSurf first

GrowSurf Intercom integration settings in the campaign editor
Connect Intercom in GrowSurf first so every synced participant carries the referral fields you will use in Intercom.

In Campaign Editor > 4. Options > Integrations, click Connect to Intercom, authorize the account, choose the Intercom tag GrowSurf should sync, and save the integration.

Pick one referral moment that is worth interrupting for

Referral prompts work best after a customer hits an activation milestone, finishes a successful support interaction, or reaches another value moment. Avoid showing the ask while the user is still dealing with friction.

Create the message in Intercom Outbound and add audience rules

Intercom Outbound messages screen with the New message button
Intercom Outbound is where you create the in-app chat or post message that introduces your referral program.

Create a new chat or post message in Intercom Outbound, then add audience rules that use the GrowSurf data already synced onto the contact record.

  • Target participants who have a share URL but zero awarded referrals.
  • Create a separate prompt for customers who are close to their next milestone reward.
  • Exclude people whose referral status already shows the outcome you are asking them to reach.

Send the CTA to the referral experience GrowSurf already manages

Use the prompt CTA to open your referral portal, referral page, or embedded GrowSurf widget. If you need to show a plain link in the copy, insert {{ custom_data.growsurf_share_url }} so the customer sees their personal share URL.

QA the prompt on a real participant

Preview the prompt for a participant who already exists in both GrowSurf and Intercom so you can confirm the audience rules, CTA destination, and personalized share link all work with live data.

Tips

Connect before importing

The Intercom sync only starts after the integration is enabled, so connect first if you want imported participants to receive GrowSurf attributes going forward.

Separate first-share and milestone campaigns

Keep one prompt focused on first-time sharing and another focused on milestone progress so each audience gets a more relevant message.

Keep referral asks out of active support friction

If a customer is contacting support because something is broken, wait until the issue is resolved before asking for a referral.

FAQ

Do I need a custom GrowSurf-to-Intercom sync for Messenger prompts?

No. GrowSurf's native Intercom integration already syncs the referral fields onto the contact record after the connection is enabled.

Which GrowSurf field is most useful in the prompt itself?

{{ custom_data.growsurf_share_url }} is the most useful field when you want to show the participant's personal referral link directly in the message copy.

Should the prompt generate the referral experience inside Intercom?

Usually no. Intercom should introduce the opportunity and route the customer to the GrowSurf referral portal, page, or widget that already handles sharing and reward logic.

Set up your refer a friend program with customer referral and affiliate program software that lowers your acquisition costs, increases customer loyalty, and saves you gobs of time.

Trusted by marketing and product teams at fast-growing B2C, fintech, and SaaS companies