How to Win Instagram Giveaways: Complete Strategy Guide 2024

How to Win Instagram Giveaways: Complete Strategy Guide 2024

Instagram has become one of the most popular platforms for brand giveaways and competitions. With millions of giveaways running at any time, there are incredible opportunities to win everything from beauty products to holidays and cash prizes. This guide reveals the strategies that successful Instagram compers use to win consistently.

Understanding Instagram Giveaways

How Instagram Giveaways Work

Most Instagram giveaways follow a similar pattern:

1. Brand or influencer posts a giveaway announcement
2. Entry requirements typically include following, liking, and commenting
3. Engagement actions like tagging friends or sharing to stories may be required
4. Winner selection is usually random using picker tools
5. Winner announced via post, stories, or direct message

Types of Instagram Giveaways

Follow/Like/Comment Giveaways

• Most common type
• Simple entry requirements
• High competition due to low barrier

Tag-a-Friend Giveaways

• Must tag one or more friends
• Each tag often counts as an entry
• Increases competition but gives more chances

User-Generated Content (UGC) Giveaways

• Create original content
• Post with specific hashtags
• Lower competition, more effort required

Story Share Giveaways

• Share the giveaway to your story
• Screenshot proof sometimes required
• Additional entry method

Collab Giveaways

• Multiple brands collaborate
• Usually follow all participating accounts
• Often higher-value prizes

Setting Up Your Instagram for Winning

Profile Optimization

Your profile matters when entering giveaways:

Make Your Account Public

• Private accounts can't be verified as entries
• Brands can't see your comments or story shares
• Winners with private accounts are often skipped

Create a Genuine Profile

• Use a real profile photo
• Write an authentic bio
• Have some posts on your feed
• Follow genuine interests

Why This Matters:

• Brands verify winners aren't fake accounts
• Suspicious profiles get disqualified
• Natural-looking accounts are more trustworthy

Activity Guidelines

Keep Your Account Active

• Post occasionally (even monthly)
• Like and comment on content you enjoy
• Use stories regularly
• Engage authentically

Avoid Suspicious Behavior

• Don't follow/unfollow rapidly
• Don't use automation tools for giveaways
• Don't enter from multiple accounts
• Don't leave spammy comments

Finding Instagram Giveaways

Hashtag Searches

Search these hashtags to find giveaways:

• #giveaway
• #giveawayuk
• #ukgiveaway
• #competition
• #competitionuk
• #win
• #freebie
• #contest
• #sweepstakes
• #prizedraw

Pro Tips for Hashtag Searching:

• Check both "Top" and "Recent" tabs
• Combine hashtags with niches (#beautygiveaway, #techgiveaway)
• Save effective hashtags for quick access
• Search during peak posting times

Following Strategy

Brands to Follow:

• Your favorite brands
• Companies in your interest areas
• Beauty and lifestyle brands (frequent giveaways)
• Food and beverage companies
• Tech brands
• Local businesses

Giveaway Accounts to Follow:

• Competition aggregator accounts
• Giveaway alert accounts
• Comping community accounts

Competition Listing Sites

• Check Sweepzy's Instagram competition section
• Browse dedicated giveaway websites
• Join comping communities that share finds

Entering Instagram Giveaways Correctly

Reading the Rules

Before entering, always check:

• Eligibility - UK only? Age restrictions?
• Entry requirements - What actions are required?
• Entry period - When does it close?
• Entry limits - One entry or multiple allowed?
• Prize details - What exactly are you winning?

Following Entry Instructions Exactly

Common Requirements:

1. Follow the account(s)

   • Ensure you're following before commenting
   • Don't unfollow until after winners announced
   • Check you haven't been unfollowed due to glitches

2. Like the post

   • Simple but essential
   • Verify it registered

3. Leave a comment

   • Follow instructions exactly
   • Tag correct number of friends
   • Answer any questions asked
   • Use required hashtags if specified

4. Share to story (if required)

   • Tag the brand account
   • Keep the story up for required duration
   • Screenshot as proof

Crafting Better Comments

For Random Draws:

• Follow instructions exactly
• Be genuine even if brief
• Tag real, active accounts

For Judged Competitions:

• Stand out from generic comments
• Show genuine interest in the prize
• Be creative if appropriate
• Answer questions thoughtfully

Examples:

❌ Generic: "@friend1 @friend2 would love this!"

✅ Better: "@friend1 This would be perfect for our spa weekend! 🧖‍♀️ Those products look amazing!"

Advanced Strategies for Winning

Timing Your Entries

• Enter early - Be among first entries
• Enter close to deadline - Some pickers favor recent entries
• Enter during off-peak times - Lower competition periods

Targeting Lower-Competition Giveaways

Look for:

• Smaller accounts - Fewer followers = fewer entries
• New accounts running giveaways - Building their audience
• Niche interests - Specific hobbies have smaller audiences
• Local businesses - Geographic limits reduce entries
• Accounts with less engagement - Posts with fewer comments

Maximizing Entries

When multiple entries allowed:

• Enter daily if permitted
• Use all available entry methods
• Tag different friends on separate days
• Share to stories repeatedly if allowed

When only one entry:

• Make it count
• Follow all instructions perfectly
• Don't try to sneak extra entries (disqualification risk)

Building Relationships

• Engage with brands beyond giveaways
• Comment on their regular posts
• Share their content organically
• Be a genuine follower, not just competition hunter

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Entry Errors

• Forgetting to follow before commenting
• Tagging fake or inactive accounts
• Not reading requirements completely
• Entering from private account
• Missing required hashtags
• Ignoring geographic restrictions

Account Risks

• Using multiple accounts (against ToS)
• Automation tools (can get you banned)
• Spammy behavior (shadow banning risk)
• Following/unfollowing rapidly (suspicious activity)

After Winning

• Not checking DMs from unfamiliar accounts
• Missing response deadlines (often 24-72 hours)
• Not verifying winner announcement legitimacy
• Sharing personal info before verifying winner

Spotting Fake Giveaways

Red Flags

• Account created very recently
• No previous posts or engagement
• Promises prizes that seem too good to be true
• Requires payment or personal financial info
• Asks you to click suspicious links
• Can't find any business information
• Comments disabled or highly restricted

Verification Steps

1. Check account history and engagement
2. Look for blue verification tick on brand accounts
3. Search for the brand outside Instagram
4. Check comments for others questioning legitimacy
5. Verify prize details are realistic

Claiming Your Prize

When You Win

1. Verify the notification is from the actual account
2. Respond promptly - Usually 24-72 hour window
3. Provide requested information (name, address)
4. Never pay anything to claim a prize
5. Keep screenshots of all communications

What to Expect

• Winner announcement on post or stories
• DM from the brand account
• Request for shipping details
• Prize delivery within 2-6 weeks typically

Tools and Resources

Useful Apps and Extensions

• Instagram's native save feature for tracking
• Notes app for tracking entered giveaways
• Screenshot tools for proof of entry
• Reminder apps for closing dates

Tracking Your Entries

Keep a simple log:

• Giveaway account name
• Prize
• Entry date
• Closing date
• Entry method used
• Win/no result

Conclusion

Winning Instagram giveaways is absolutely achievable with the right strategy. Focus on setting up a genuine, active profile, finding giveaways that match your interests, and entering correctly every time. Consistency is key - the more you enter, the more you'll win.

Remember, thousands of Instagram giveaways run every week in the UK alone. By applying these strategies, you're positioning yourself far ahead of casual entrants who don't understand how to optimize their chances.

Start today by searching for giveaways in your favorite niches, and watch your wins grow!

Find more Instagram competitions on Sweepzy and start building your winning streak.