Intro
When was the last time you ran a sweepstakes? Running a sweepstakes is a fun and effective way to introduce your business to new customers, increase your list of email subscribers and get new followers on your most valuable social networks.
Sounds fun, right?
Yes, it is! Just make sure that your sweepstakes isn't breaking any laws where you live, and that it's not in violation of the regulations most social media networks have in place.
Of course, we recommend embedding your sweepstakes on your website, or hosting it as a landing page -- and then promoting the link on your social networks -- so you don't have to worry about breaking rules individual platforms' regulations.
Current regulations for the most popular platforms are listed below:
Facebook Promotion Guidelines
The number one rule to remember when creating a Facebook promotion or sweepstake is that you do not require entrants to Like the post or Follow your page. This is against their rules and your Facebook Page could be subject to banning.
See all of Facebook's rules here.
Instagram Promotion Guidelines
If you use Instagram to communicate or administer a promotion (ex: a contest or sweepstakes), you are responsible for the lawful operation of that promotion.
Read about Instagram's guidelines here.
Threads Terms of Service
Threads is a platform part of the Meta (Facebook and Instagram) team. Currently, Threads does not have specific guidelines or rules for contests, sweepstakes, and/or promotions. Please refer to Instagram's Promotion Guidelines above.
As always, please read Threads' Terms of Service to make sure you do not break any of those legal terms listed.
Read more about Threads' Terms of Service here.
X (Formerly Twitter) Promotion Guidelines
Businesses, organizations, and even some creative individuals have hosted contests and sweepstakes through their X profile. Contests and sweepstakes on X may offer prizes for tweeting a particular update, for following a particular user, or for posting updates with a specific hashtag. If you’ve been thinking about hosting a contest using your X profile, check out business.twitter.com for tips.
TikTok's Community Guidelines
Tiktok does not have a specific section in its rules and polices nor its community guidelines on promotions, contests, or sweepstakes. In sum, you can request entrants to like a video, follow the account, and comment on the video. You can also request entrants to post a specific hashtag and video.
Read all of TikTok's community guidelines here.
Snapchat Promotions Rules
If you use Snapchat as part of any type of promotion, contest, or sweepstakes (all referred to on this page as a 'Promotion'), you are responsible for ensuring that your Promotion complies with all legal requirements. This includes writing the official rules, terms, and eligibility requirements (ex: age and residency restrictions), and complying with marketing regulations (ex: registration and disclosure requirements and regulatory approvals). Legal requirements for Promotions can vary from place to place, so please work with a lawyer or other expert to ensure you won’t violate any applicable laws. Snapchat is not responsible or liable to you in any way if you use the Snapchat App as part of your Promotion.
For more about Snapchat's Promotions Rules, click here.
YouTube's Contest Policies & Guidelines
All contests run on YouTube or that use YouTube are subject to the rules below. In addition, your contest cannot be run or conducted in a way that conflicts with our Privacy Policy, Terms of Service or Community Guidelines.
YouTube does not allow contests to be run through ad units, but you can engage users in contests through your content on the platform, provided that the contest conforms with the rules below.
Read all of YouTube's policies and guidelines here.
Pinterest Promotion Guidelines
If you run a contest or other type of promotion on Pinterest, please encourage authentic behavior, keep Pinterest spam-free, and comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
Learn more about Pinterest's promotion guidelines here.