Giveaway rules: what to write before you post

Good giveaway rules are short, specific and written before the giveaway starts. They answer questions before anyone asks, and they give you something to point to if there is an argument.

Ten things to cover

1. Who can enter. Say whether there are age or country limits, and who is left out, such as you and your team.
2. What counts as an entry. A comment, a reply, a tag. Be exact.
3. When it starts and ends. Give a date, a time and a time zone.
4. How many winners. And whether you will draw backups.
5. How the winner is picked. Say it is a random draw from the eligible entries, and mention any rule that removes entries, such as duplicates.
6. How you will contact the winner. A reply to their comment, a direct message or an email. Say what they need to do to claim the prize.
7. How long they have to reply. Pick a deadline, then move to a backup if you hear nothing.
8. What the prize is. Describe it clearly, including any limits, such as shipping to certain countries only.
9. Who pays for what. Say if the winner has to cover shipping, taxes or fees.
10. That the platform isn’t involved. State that the giveaway isn’t sponsored, endorsed or run by the platform.

Where to put your rules

Put the short version in your caption, so nobody has to go looking. If you need more room, link to a longer version and pin a comment that points to it. Whatever you do, don’t change the rules after people have entered.

Keep them readable

• Use short sentences and plain words.
• Use a list for the main points.
• Write dates in full, with the time zone, so nobody misreads them.

Then follow your own rules. Our guide to running a fair Instagram giveaway shows how the rules, the draw and the proof fit together.

Check the rules that apply to you

Giveaways can be covered by platform rules and by local law, which differ between countries. This article isn’t legal advice. If your prize is valuable, check the rules that apply where you and your entrants live.