Guides · Giveaways
How to announce a giveaway winner
After the draw, download the winner image from the result page (1080×1350, sized for Instagram posts), post it or reply to the winner's comment, and link the public result page so entrants can see the draw. Give the winner a deadline to reply, and say you'll draw a backup if they don't.
Updated November 14, 2026
Step by step
Check the winner first
Open their profile. Check anything your rules asked that a picker can't see, like following you.
Reply to their comment
Tag them in a reply so they get a notification, and ask them to message you.
Post the announcement
Use the winner image from the result page (on a phone, the share button sends it straight to Instagram or TikTok) and put the result link in the caption, a pinned comment or your bio.
Wait, then use a backup
If they don't answer by the deadline, draw from the backups in order and announce that too.
Captions to copy
- "Congrats @[winner]! You won [prize]. Check your messages from @[us] and reply by [date, time zone]. The full draw, with every entry, is here: [result link]. Thanks to everyone who entered!"
- "Giveaway closed! [N] people entered and the winner is @[winner]. See the draw for yourself: [result link]. Only @[us] will contact the winner; we never ask for payment."
- "@[winner] didn't claim the prize by [date], so it goes to our first backup, @[backup]. Same draw, same result page: [result link]."
Watch for impersonators
Accounts copying your name and picture often reply to giveaway comments telling people they won and asking for a fee or card details. Say in the announcement that you'll only message from your own account, and report the copycats.
Questions
Should I message the winner first or post first?
Either works; many creators reply to the winning comment and post at the same time, so the winner and everyone else hear at once.
Where do I find the backup winners?
On the same result page, in the order they were drawn. A backup drawn later is added to the page too.