Guides · Giveaways
Giveaway rules template
Copy the template below into your caption or a pinned comment and fill in the brackets. It covers the prize, dates, how to enter, who can enter, how the winner is picked and contacted, and the two lines Instagram's promotion guidelines require. Use the same rules in the picker when you draw.
Updated November 14, 2026
Template
GIVEAWAY: [prize, with its value] HOW TO ENTER 1. Comment on this post [and tag [N] friends]. 2. [Optional: include the word / hashtag "[word]".] One entry per person. Extra accounts are disqualified. DATES Ends [day, date] at [time] [time zone]. Comments after that don't count. WHO CAN ENTER [Age]+ living in [countries]. Not open to [our team / family]. No purchase necessary. Entering is free. PICKING THE WINNER [N] winner(s) drawn at random from eligible comments on [date], with a public result page anyone can check. If a winner doesn't reply within [48 hours], we draw the next backup. CONTACT We'll only contact the winner from this account (@[handle]) and will never ask for payment or card details. [Instagram only:] This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram. By entering, you release Instagram from any liability.
Matching the rules to the picker
- "Tag [N] friends" → Must mention friends: N.
- "Include the word" → Must contain.
- "One entry per person" → One entry per person (on by default).
- "Ends at" → Posted before, with the same date and time.
- "Not open to our team" → Leave out these names.
- "[N] winners" and backups → Winners and Backups.
Why each line is there
- A deadline with a time zone settles arguments about late comments.
- "No purchase necessary": in many countries, a giveaway that requires paying or buying to enter can count as a lottery.
- The Instagram lines come from Instagram's Promotion Guidelines (help.instagram.com/179379842258600, read November 14, 2026), which require a release of Instagram by each entrant and an acknowledgement that Instagram doesn't sponsor or run the promotion.
- Saying you'll never ask for payment helps entrants spot the copycat accounts that reply to big giveaways.
- This is a template, not legal advice: prize laws differ by country and some need registration.
Questions
Can I require people to follow me?
You can ask, but no outside tool can check follows without your login. Check the winner by hand and say in the rules that you will.
Should I ask for likes and shares?
Likes, shares and saves can't be read by outside tools either. Keep the rules to what can be checked: comments, tags and words.