> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cello.so/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Performance Benchmarks > Understand how your program performance compares to similar companies Cello provides industry benchmarks to help you understand how your referral program stacks up against similar companies. Benchmarks appear as horizontal reference lines on your dashboard charts, making it easy to identify where your program excels and where there's room for improvement. Cello uses these benchmarks along with deep analysis of your program data to generate specific, actionable [Performance Recommendations](/guides/attribution/recommendations) tailored to your situation. Visit the [Recommendations page](https://portal.cello.so/dashboard/recommendations) in the Cello Portal to see exactly what to focus on next. ## Benchmarked Metrics Cello provides benchmarks for four key metrics across the referral funnel. Benchmarks are hidden by default. Toggle them on from any supported chart to see how you compare. Benchmark lines on a Cello dashboard chart * **Active Rate**: Percentage of enabled users who open the referral widget. Calculated as `Active Referrers / Enabled Referrers`. * **Sharing Rate**: Percentage of active users who share their referral link. Calculated as `Sharing Referrers / Active Referrers`. * **Signup Rate**: Percentage of unique referral link views that convert to signups. Calculated as `New User Signups / Unique Views`. * **Unique Views per Share**: Average number of unique people who view each shared referral link. Calculated as `Unique Views / Sharing Referrers`. Sharing rate benchmarks are adjusted based on your active rate. Cello automatically determines which benchmark band applies to you, so you're always comparing against relevant peers. ## Methodology Benchmarks are calculated from anonymized, aggregated monthly performance rates across all Cello customers. Your performance is compared using your latest 30-day rolling rates. Charts show two benchmark lines: * **Median (Average)**: The 50th percentile, half of customers perform better, half perform worse * **Best in Class**: The 75th percentile, top 25% of customers achieve this or better Benchmarks are segmented by Go-to-Market model so you're compared against similar businesses: * **Free Trial**: Customers offering free trials before purchase * **Freemium**: Customers with free tiers and paid upgrades * **Demo Only**: Customers requiring demos before purchase * **Overall**: All customers combined (used when your GTM model doesn't match the above) Cello automatically detects your GTM model and shows the appropriate benchmarks. ## Interpreting Your Results Visit [Performance Recommendations](/guides/attribution/recommendations) to understand your score, or go directly to the [Recommendations page](https://portal.cello.so/dashboard/recommendations) in the Cello Portal to see your specific next steps. **Above Best in Class**\ Your program is in the top 25% for this metric. This is a strength worth maintaining - consider what's driving this success and whether those practices can be applied elsewhere. **Between Median and Best in Class**\ You're performing above average but have room to reach best-in-class status. Review the relevant best practices guides to identify optimization opportunities. **Below Median**\ There's a clear opportunity for improvement. See recommendations in the [Cello Portal](https://portal.cello.so/dashboard/recommendations) or explore these best practices: * **Low active rate?** See [Increase Discoverability](/guides/best-practices/Increase-discoverability-of-your-referral-program) to get more users opening the widget * **Low sharing rate?** Review [Contextual Sharing](/guides/best-practices/contextual-sharing) to prompt referrals at high-intent moments * **Low signup rate?** Check [Optimizing Signup Conversion](/guides/best-practices/optimizing-signup-conversion) for landing page and flow improvements You can query benchmark data from your own AI client using [`cello_get_program_metrics`](/mcp/tools#cello_get_program_metrics) via the [Cello MCP](/mcp/growth/use-cases).