Running an online giveaway and choosing winners fairly

Start with the platform rules

Social networks and marketplaces have their own promotion rules, which differ by platform and change over time. Read the current terms for the platform you use before you launch, and state clearly in your post that the giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by that platform. Local law can also require specific disclosures or permits.

Define the rules in your announcement

• How to enter and the closing date and time, with time zone.
• Who is eligible, for example age or country restrictions.
• How many winners and what each receives.
• How winners are chosen and contacted, and how long they have to reply.
• What happens if a winner does not respond.

Collect entries cleanly

Gather entrants into a single list: names or usernames in the first column, and any proof of entry or contact detail in another. Remove accounts that clearly break your rules, such as duplicate or fake profiles, before you draw and write down why. Keep a copy of the unedited list. Tools that export commenters or form respondents to a spreadsheet make this easier, but check that using them complies with the platform's terms.

Draw where people can watch

Use a screen share, a live stream or a recorded screen capture. Open the picker, import the final list, show the entrant count and draw each prize in turn using Stage mode. The reel slows to a stop on the winner, the plate shows their name large and clear, and the draw order and time are recorded. A short video of the real draw is worth more than any written statement.

Verify the winner, then announce

Check that the winner followed your rules before announcing. If they did not, use Redraw so the result stays random, and mention that you redrew and why. Announce the winner's name or username in the same place you ran the giveaway and contact them using the method you promised.

Publish proof

Export the results and share a screenshot or the exported file with personal details removed. Mention the number of entries, the time of the draw and the tool used. People are far more likely to accept a result when they can see the process.

Protect entrants' data

Collect only what you need, store it securely and delete it after the giveaway ends. Tell entrants what you will do with their details. The draw itself never uploads your list, which keeps one major risk off the table.