Is it really that easy to get a referral? I'm applying for internships and I applied to Uber (online) a while ago and have heard nothing. Meanwhile, all but one

Is it really that easy to get a referral? I'm applying for internships and I applied to Uber (online) a while ago and have heard nothing. Meanwhile, all but one of the places I have been interviewed (Google, Amazon, etc.) were places where I friend referred me. The interview rate has been 70% for places I've been referred vs. 3% for places I haven't, so getting one has been key. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to join Blind since I don't have a work email that they're available to.