How to track backers from each creator on Kickstarter and Indiegogo
One referral link per creator, and what each platform reports; platform pages checked on 2026-11-01.
To see how many backers each creator brings in, give every creator a separate referral link and read the results in the platform dashboard. Kickstarter and Indiegogo both support this, but they report different numbers, and neither replaces a record you keep yourself. This page compares what each platform shows, based on the official help pages checked on 2026-11-01, and explains how ShareHub (www.sharehub.fun) handles the part the platforms do not cover.
Key takeaways
- Use one referral link per creator, so the dashboard can show which creator each pledge came from.
- Kickstarter reports pledges, share of total funds and amount pledged for each tag, but its help page does not list link clicks.
- Indiegogo credits a pledge to the last referral link clicked, and a logged-out visitor can be credited through a cookie for up to 28 days.
What each platform reports
| Item | Kickstarter | Indiegogo |
|---|---|---|
| How to create a link | Promotion tab of the project editor, or the creator dashboard after launch; name the tag and select Generate Tag | Referral links in the project tools; add a link and give it an internal display name |
| Can it be created before launch | Yes | Not stated on the help page |
| What you can see | Number of pledges, percentage of total funds, total amount pledged, and dropped pledges after the campaign ends | New orders, pledges within 1 day and within 7 days of the click, and total income |
| What is not shown | Link clicks; backer-level data for dropped pledges | The help page does not say whether clicks are shown |
| Which link gets credit | Not stated on the help page | The link clicked last; logged-in users by account, others by cookie for up to 28 days |
| Limit on links | 20,000 tags | Not stated on the help page |
Name each link after the creator and platform, such as the creator's handle plus the network, so that the dashboard can be reconciled with your own list. If you also need click counts, add Google Analytics to the project page, as Kickstarter itself suggests.
How ShareHub handles it
ShareHub uses a link mapping that is still in pilot and development: each creator gets one short link, the short link carries that creator's referral tag to the platform link, and clicks on the short link are recorded separately. Before launch the short link can point to a pre-launch page instead. ShareHub does not process pledges, which happen only on the platform, and it does not promise funding results. The full process is in our guide to creator marketing before a Kickstarter launch, and you can see how we find micro-creators or read more about ShareHub.
Common mistakes
- Sharing one link between two creators, which mixes their results so that neither can be settled fairly later.
- Dividing link clicks by platform pledges to claim a conversion rate, although the two numbers are counted in different places.
- Treating dashboard figures during a campaign as final, when pledges can still be cancelled or dropped after it ends.
Scope and limits
This page covers referral links on Kickstarter and Indiegogo as described in their public help pages on 2026-11-01. Platform features change, so check the linked pages before you rely on a detail. It is general information and not legal, tax or financial advice. More topics are in the guides index.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see which backer came from which creator?
Kickstarter's help page says it reports results per referral tag in the dashboard, but it does not provide backer-level referral data for dropped pledges. Treat the dashboard as a per-link summary, not as a list of individual backers.
What happens if a backer clicks two creators' links?
On Indiegogo the pledge is credited to the link clicked last. Kickstarter's help page does not state a rule for this, so do not assume one, and ask the platform if the answer affects how you pay creators.
Do the numbers change after the campaign ends?
On Kickstarter, dropped pledges appear for each tag only after the campaign has ended and collection is complete. Pledge figures shown during the campaign are therefore provisional, and any payment to creators should wait for the final dashboard.
Sources and update log
- Kickstarter Help Center: custom referral tags and referral stats
- Indiegogo Help Center: referral links
- 2026-11-01: first version, written from the two help pages listed above and checked on that date.
ShareHub is an early-stage traffic matchmaking platform connecting brands with micro-creators. Apply for early access if you want to try a small test.
Want to see how a tracked link per creator works? Try the free link demo.