> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.animeoshi.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.animeoshi.com/community-and-rewards/following-and-friends.md). # Following & Friends (Referral) ## In one sentence Following is a one-way subscription to another AnimeOshi user's public activity feed, Friends is simply two users who follow each other with no separate accept step, and a Referral Code is the personal code a user shares so new sign-ups are attributed back to them. ## Overview AnimeOshi's social layer is built on a single primitive, **Following**, rather than a request-and-approve friendship model. You follow the users whose ratings and reviews you want to keep up with, and when two people follow each other, they are Friends automatically. The Referral side of the system extends that reach outward: every user has a Referral Code they can share to bring new fans onto the platform. ## Details ### Following Following is a one-way subscription. When you follow another user, their public activity, such as the episodes they rate and the reviews they write, will surface to you. You do not need their permission to follow them. Following someone does not require them to follow you back. ### Friends Friends are mutual Following. When you and another user both follow each other, you are Friends — there is no separate friend request, accept, or deny step. The relationship simply exists as a consequence of two one-way arrows pointing at each other. ### Referral Codes Every AnimeOshi user has a unique Referral Code they can share. When a new user signs up using that code, the sign-up is attributed to the referrer, and the referrer receives Oshi Points. This is the referral side of the same social system that powers Following. ## FAQ **Q: What is the difference between Following and Friends on AnimeOshi?** Following is one way where you subscribe to another user's public activity without their approval. Friends is mutual Following: when two users follow each other, they are Friends automatically, with no separate accept step. **Q: Do I have to accept a friend request on AnimeOshi?** No. There is no friend request to accept or deny. You become Friends with another user simply when both of you follow each other. **Q: What is a Referral Code?** A Referral Code is a unique personal code each user can share. When someone signs up using your code, the new sign-up is attributed back to you. **Q: Do I earn anything for referring a new user?** Yes. When a new user signs up using your Referral Code, the sign-up is attributed to you and you earn Oshi Points for the successful referral. The Referral Code both credits you for the new sign-up and rewards you for bringing a new fan onto the platform. ## Related pages * [Oshi Points & Leaderboard](/community-and-rewards/oshi-points-and-leaderboard.md) * [AnimeOshi Terminology / Glossary](/about-animeoshi/glossary.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.animeoshi.com/community-and-rewards/following-and-friends.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.