How to Do an Instagram Giveaway: Best Practices and Easy Steps

Thinking about hosting a giveaway on Instagram but not sure how to make it work? You're not alone. A good giveaway can bring in new followers, boost your engagement, and get people talking about your brand. But if it’s not done right, it can also fall flat.

That’s why this guide keeps things simple and clear. You’ll learn exactly how to set up a giveaway that actually works—from choosing the right type to following Instagram giveaway rules, plus a few tricks to make sure people really show up. No fluff, just what you need to know.

Key Takeaways

• Giveaways are the secret sauce for skyrocketing engagement, follower counts, and brand awareness—because who doesn’t love free swag?

• Choose your giveaway type wisely! From tagging friends to collaboration giveaways, each approach has its own flair and benefits for reaching new audiences.

• Follow best practices like keeping rules simple, using branded hashtags, and leveraging Instagram Stories to ensure your giveaway is not just successful, but also fabulous!

Why Instagram Giveaways Work So Well

Instagram’s algorithm loves action. The more people like, comment, tag, and share your post, the more Instagram pushes it out to others. A giveaway naturally sparks that kind of activity, which means more eyes on your content—fast.

But it’s not just about algorithms. People love the idea of getting something for free. It taps into that mix of excitement, curiosity, and a little fear of missing out. When followers see others entering a giveaway, they don’t want to be left out. Plus, adding a bit of friendly competition makes it even more fun.

And the numbers back it up. According to Tailwind, Instagram accounts that run contests grow their followers 70% faster on average than those that don’t. That kind of growth isn’t just a fluke—it’s a sign that giveaways, when done right, actually work. Whether you’re a small business or just starting out, they offer a low-cost, high-reward way to get noticed—and a chance to create a truly successful Instagram giveaway.

Pick the Right Type of Instagram Giveaway

Not all giveaways are built the same. The type you choose plays a big role in the kind of results you’ll get. Some are perfect for growing your follower count, while others help build community or bring in fresh audiences through partnerships. Let’s break down a few of the most popular ones.

Like, Comment & Follow Giveaways

This is the easiest kind of giveaway to run—and to enter. People just follow your account, like the post, and drop a comment. That’s it. It’s simple, quick, and highly effective if your main goal is to gain Instagram followers and boost activity on your post without asking much from your audience.

Tag-a-Friend Giveaways

If you want to grow your reach fast, this one’s a winner. Asking people to tag friends in the comments pulls in a wave of new eyes. When you allow multiple tags, your post can spread like wildfire. It’s organic, low-effort, and can go viral with the right timing and prize.

User-Generated Content Giveaways

This type of giveaway gets people to create and share their own content featuring your brand. It might be a photo, a short video, or even a review using a branded hashtag. A great giveaway Instagram post from a real customer can feel more trustworthy than a paid ad. This approach works best when you want authentic content, community interaction, and long-term visibility.

Collaboration Giveaways

Want to go big? Partner with another brand or influencer and run a joint giveaway. It combines both of your audiences and adds instant credibility. This strategy helps you reach new groups of people who might not have found you otherwise—and makes your giveaway post feel more exciting and credible.

Step-by-Step: How to Run a Giveaway on Instagram

If you want your giveaway to actually work—not just look good—there’s a clear path to follow. These steps keep everything organized and make sure you’re not missing anything important.

1. Set a Clear Goal

Start with the “why.” Are you doing this to get more followers? Boost post engagement? Grow your email list? Your goal will shape the way you run an Instagram giveaway, from the type of entry rules to the prize you offer. Be specific so you know what success looks like.

2. Choose a Relevant, Desirable Prize

Your prize should make people stop scrolling. It needs to be something your target audience actually wants—not just anything that’s expensive or trendy. Pick something that fits your niche and brand. A strong giveaway prize should feel like a perfect fit for your audience—not just a random item.

3. Decide on Entry Rules

Keep it simple. The more steps people have to follow, the fewer entries you’ll get. Asking users to follow your account, like the post, and tag a friend is usually enough. Add bonus steps only if they make sense and won’t confuse anyone.

4. Write a Compelling Caption

This is where you lay it all out. What’s the prize? How do people enter? When does it end? Make sure your caption includes everything important, including any eligibility requirements and a short disclaimer saying Instagram isn’t involved.

5. Create Eye-Catching Visuals

People scroll fast, so your image or video needs to grab attention right away. Use a high-quality photo of the prize or create a short video. Stick to your brand colors and fonts to keep things consistent and recognizable.

6. Promote It Like Crazy

Just posting once isn’t enough. Share it on your Instagram Stories, create a Reel, send it to your email list, and talk about it on other social media platforms. If you want even more reach, consider boosting the post with a small ad budget.

7. Announce & Celebrate the Winner

When it’s over, pick your winner in a way that feels fair and transparent. Tag them, post about it, and share the announcement on Stories. It shows your followers that someone really did win—and builds trust for your next giveaway.

Legal, Ethical, and Instagram Rules to Follow

Before you hit “post,” make sure your giveaway follows Instagram’s rules. It’s not the most exciting part, but skipping it can get your content removed—or worse, your account flagged.

Instagram has Promotion Guidelines that every giveaway must follow. One key rule? You need to say that Instagram isn’t involved. A simple line like “This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or associated with Instagram” does the job.

You also need to clearly state who’s eligible. That includes age restrictions (usually 18+) and where the giveaway is open (like U.S. only or worldwide). This avoids confusion and keeps things legal, especially if your prize involves shipping.

If your giveaway is in partnership with a brand or influencer, make sure to include the right disclosures. Use tags like #sponsored or #giveaway so everything’s transparent. That’s not just a best practice—it’s required by advertising standards in many countries.

Finally, don’t use bots or shady apps to collect entries. Instagram cracks down on fake engagement, and using those tools can get your account restricted. Stick to manual tracking or approved third-party tools that comply with the platform’s rules. That way, you can host an Instagram giveaway without worrying about getting flagged.

Pro Tips for Maximizing Success

Once your giveaway is up and running, there are a few extra moves that can take it from “good” to “crazy effective.” These aren’t the basics—they’re the behind-the-scenes tricks that help you get better results without much extra work.

Use a Branded Hashtag

Creating a unique hashtag for your giveaway makes it easier to track entries and builds brand recognition. Keep it short, memorable, and specific to your brand. Something like #GlowUpGiveaway or #FitWithFlare sticks better than something generic.

Use Instagram Stories & Reels

Stories and Reels give your giveaway more visibility. Use countdown stickers to build urgency or teaser clips to show off the prize. Since Stories show up at the top of the app, they’re a smart way to remind people without feeling pushy.

Consider DM Automation

If you're planning to collect emails or offer bonus entries, you can explore tools like ManyChat—but be cautious. Instagram requires that any automated messages follow its platform policies and respect user consent. With the right setup, you can use DM automation to guide participants, send entry confirmations, or provide links, making your giveaway more interactive without violating rules.

Time It Right

Giveaways do better when they’re tied to something timely. Think holidays, product launches, or even “just because” events like hitting a follower milestone. If you're planning your first Instagram giveaway, launching it around a moment that already has buzz can give it a major boost. Timing your post when your audience is most active can also improve performance.

Keep Momentum After the Giveaway

Don’t let the energy die once it’s over. Share a quick recap, post the winner, and offer a small discount or freebie to non-winners. This helps keep new followers engaged and gives them a reason to stick around.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Giveaways

Even the best-looking giveaway can flop if you miss a few key details. These common mistakes trip up a lot of people—and they’re all avoidable.

First, don’t overcomplicate the entry process. If someone has to jump through five hoops just to enter, most won’t bother. Keep it quick and clear.

Next, make sure your prize actually appeals to your audience. A trendy gadget might get attention, but if it has nothing to do with your brand, those new followers probably won’t stick around. That’s why so many failed contests never turn into a successful Instagram contest.

Another big one: forgetting to follow up. When the giveaway ends, people want to see a winner. Skipping that part kills trust.

Also, never ignore Instagram’s rules. It’s not worth the risk. One flagged post can hurt your reach—or worse, your account.

Finally, check that your winner qualifies. If they’re too young or live in a region you excluded, that’s a headache waiting to happen.

Final Thoughts

Instagram giveaways are one of the easiest ways to boost engagement, reach new audiences, and grow your following without spending a lot. When done right, they can build real momentum around your brand and keep your followers excited to stick around.

The key is having a clear goal, picking a prize your audience actually wants, setting simple rules, and making everything look good and easy to follow. Promotion matters just as much as planning, and don’t forget to wrap it all up with a proper winner announcement. Now it’s your turn—plan it, post it, and watch the engagement roll in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Instagram giveaways really help grow followers?

Yes, they do—especially when the prize is relevant to your target audience. Studies have shown that brands running giveaways can grow their followers up to 70% faster than those that don’t. The key is getting people to follow, tag friends, and share.

How long should a giveaway run?

A typical Instagram giveaway runs between 3 to 7 days, which often strikes a balance between visibility and urgency. Shorter durations can help keep momentum and excitement high, while longer campaigns may be useful if you're investing in paid promotion or need broader reach. The ideal length depends on your audience, goals, and how much you’re promoting it during that time.

Can I ask people to tag multiple friends?

You can, and it often helps your post spread faster. Just make sure the request is clear and not overwhelming. Allowing multiple tags (like “tag up to 3 friends”) usually works better than asking for a large number.

Do I need to use a third-party tool to pick a winner?

You don’t have to, but it can make the process easier and more transparent. Tools like Comment Picker or Simpliers help you choose fairly from all the valid entries. Just be sure you double-check eligibility before announcing.

What if my giveaway doesn’t get much engagement?

It happens sometimes. Review your prize, entry steps, and timing. Was the prize something your audience actually wants? Were the instructions too complicated? Also, make sure your post stands out on your Instagram feed—bland visuals or weak captions can easily get overlooked. Small tweaks can make a big difference the next time around.