> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dollarlabs.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dollarlabs.io/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/cashback-program-types-at-a-glance.md).

# Cashback program types at a glance

{% embed url="<https://dollarlabs.neetorecord.com/watch/681701e0ab40e1691dbe>" %}

\_This article's section starts at 0:00 in the video.\_

DollarBack has six cashback program types. This page compares them so you can pick the right one before you build. Each type has its own setup article with full steps.

## The six types

Open **DollarBack admin → Cashback** and you'll see the program types in the editor's sidebar. Every type can pay out either **Store credit** (the default) or a **Discount code**; see [Reward discount codes instead of store credit](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/reward-discount-codes-instead-of-store-credit.md).

| Type                  | What triggers it                                                                                     | Typical use                                                                                                                 | Setup article                                                                                                                    |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Purchase reward**   | An order is placed (or paid / fulfilled, per your global trigger setting)                            | Your core earn program: a percentage or fixed amount back on orders, optionally with order-goal tiers and product targeting | [Set up purchase cashback](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/set-up-purchase-cashback.md)                       |
| **Signup bonus**      | A customer creates a store account for the first time                                                | Turn guests into account holders so they can see and spend their balance                                                    | [Set up signup & newsletter rewards](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/set-up-signup-and-newsletter-rewards.md) |
| **Newsletter signup** | A customer subscribes to email marketing                                                             | Grow your email list with a one-time credit                                                                                 | [Set up signup & newsletter rewards](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/set-up-signup-and-newsletter-rewards.md) |
| **Birthday gift**     | The customer's birthday arrives (birthday collected via the widget or API)                           | A once-a-year surprise that brings lapsed customers back                                                                    | [Set up birthday rewards](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/set-up-birthday-rewards.md)                         |
| **Social follow**     | A signed-in customer clicks your trackable short link to an off-store page (Instagram, TikTok, etc.) | Reward follows and off-store engagement with click attribution                                                              | [Set up social follow rewards](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/set-up-social-follow-rewards.md)               |
| **Custom (API)**      | Your own server calls `POST /api/v1/merchant/custom`                                                 | Reward anything DollarBack can't see: reviews, UGC, in-store visits, quiz completions                                       | [Custom rewards via API](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/custom-rewards-via-api.md)                           |

## How to choose

* **Start with a Purchase reward.** It is the engine of the program; every other type layers on top of it. A simple store-wide percentage is enough to launch.
* Signup and Newsletter bonuses are one-shot: each customer can earn each of them once, ever. They're acquisition tools, not recurring rewards.
* **Birthday gifts are scheduled, not instant.** The credit is queued for the customer's date and lands automatically. You can watch the queue in **DollarBack admin → Analytics → Scheduled Rewards**.
* Social follow rewards attribute by click, not by follow. DollarBack credits the customer when they click your short link while signed in; it cannot verify the follow itself on the platform.
* **Custom (API) needs a developer.** Nothing fires automatically; rewards are granted only when your code calls the endpoint with the config's ID.

## Rules that apply to every type

* Each program has its own value, start/end dates, and optional frequency limits.
* Global settings (calculation base, trigger event, holding period, caps, exclusions) apply across all programs. See the [Settings](/dollarback-store-credit/settings.md).
* When several purchase programs could apply to the same order line, they compete and one wins per line; they never stack. The details are in [How cashback is calculated](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/how-cashback-is-calculated.md).

## Related articles

* [Set up purchase cashback](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/set-up-purchase-cashback.md)
* [How cashback is calculated](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/how-cashback-is-calculated.md)
* [Settings](/dollarback-store-credit/settings.md)
* [Reward discount codes instead of store credit](/dollarback-store-credit/earning-cashback-programs/reward-discount-codes-instead-of-store-credit.md)