# The operator cannot win the prize

Canonical HTML: https://www.viralrefer.app/guides/operator-cannot-win/
Updated: 2026-08-25

**Direct answer:** The ViralRefer operator may appear on the live leaderboard. The operator cannot take the weekly homepage banner or text-line prizes. Those are for racers only. No cash.

## Q: Can the site owner win the homepage banner?
A: No. Official rules (22 August 2026): the operator and that operator’s contest code are not eligible.

## Q: What if the owner is #1 on the board?
Board rank #1 can be the operator. That rank is not the contest prize. This week’s top racer who is not the operator, with at least 3 verified friends, may claim a 7-day banner.

## Q: Is “Picked by ViralRefer” the contest prize?
No. That operator slot does not replace the weekly banner or text lines.

Rules: https://www.viralrefer.app/rules/
Get a link: https://www.viralrefer.app/?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=aeo&utm_campaign=operator