A digital communications monetization system that includes a referral matcher that analyzes input from a first user to identify within the input at least one match to merchants, products, services, brands, and promotions, etc., to generate a referral link that comprises one or more of a link that leads to a site associated with the match or an intermediate server that redirects to the site, wherein the referral link includes an identifier to the match and the first user and wherein the referral matcher inserts the referral link into a communication from said first user to one or more second user. The system also includes a referral tracker that tracks the usage of the referral link by at least one second user and attributes, to the first user, an action that takes place at the site by the at least one second user that uses the referral link.