How to Pick One Winner From a Giveaway on Several Platforms
There are two fair ways to pick a winner when one giveaway runs on several platforms: draw each post separately with its own prize, or merge every entrant into one list and draw once. Decide which before you post, and write it into the rules.
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What are the two ways to pick the winner?
You can either draw a winner on each platform separately or merge every entrant into one list and draw once.
| One draw per platform | One combined draw | |
|---|---|---|
| Prizes | One prize (or more) per platform | One prize pool for everyone |
| Tool | A comment picker per post | Random name picker |
| Effort | Paste each link and draw: minutes | Copy every entrant into one list first |
| Works for large giveaways | Yes | Up to 5,000 names per list |
| Fair when audiences differ in size | Each platform's entrants compete among themselves | Every entrant has the same chance overall |
How do you run one draw per platform?
To draw per platform, run a separate comment draw on each giveaway post and announce each winner where they entered.
- Close entries on every platform at the same stated time.
- Paste each post into its picker: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube. The random comment picker accepts a link from any of them.
- Draw winners plus backups for each platform, recording each draw.
- Announce each winner on the platform they entered on.
On the free plan, GiveawayPicker allows one draw a day, so a giveaway on four platforms needs four days of draws or a subscription, which removes the limit.
How do you run one combined draw?
To run one combined draw, merge the entrants from every platform into one list and draw from it with a random name picker.
- Collect entrants from each platform into a spreadsheet, one per row, with the platform in the name, such as “@ana (Instagram)”.
- Decide how to treat people who entered on more than one platform. If the rules say one entry per person, merge their rows into one.
- Paste the list into the random name picker, one name per line.
- Set the number of winners (up to ten per draw) and draw once while recording.
- Announce the winner on every platform.
What if someone entered on several platforms?
Your rules decide. Some giveaways reward entering everywhere with one entry per platform; others allow one entry per person. Both are fair if they are written down in advance. In the name picker, duplicate removal is on by default and matches names regardless of capitalisation, so switch it off if each platform should count as a separate entry. Because people often use different handles on different apps, check the winner by hand if the rules say one entry per person.
Rules template for a multi-platform giveaway
Post the same rules on every platform, with the draw method written in, so no entrant can say they were treated differently.
GIVEAWAY on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube: win [prize]. Enter by commenting on this post on any of the three platforms. [One entry per person / One entry per platform.] Entries close [date] at [time] [time zone]. [One winner will be drawn at random from all entries combined / One winner will be drawn at random on each platform.] Open to [country] residents aged [age]+. This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.
Each platform has its own rules on top of this. Facebook, for example, doesn't allow tag-a-friend entries. See our guides for Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
How do you announce the winner on every platform?
Announce in the native way on each platform, and link them to the same recording of the draw so every audience sees the same result.
| Platform | Where to announce |
|---|---|
| A Story with the draw recording, plus a reply to the winning comment | |
| TikTok | A follow-up video showing the draw |
| A comment on the giveaway post naming the winner | |
| YouTube | A pinned comment, then a mention in the next video |
Frequently asked questions
Can I pick one winner from Instagram and TikTok together?
Yes. Copy the entrants from both posts into one list and draw from it with a random name picker, or draw each post separately with its own prize. State which method you'll use in the rules.
Is a combined draw fair if one platform has more entrants?
Yes. In a combined draw every entrant has the same chance, so a platform with more entrants simply produces more of the possible winners. If you want each audience to have a guaranteed winner, draw per platform instead.
How many names can I put in one combined draw?
GiveawayPicker's random name picker takes up to 5,000 names per list and draws up to ten winners at once, entirely in your browser.
Can a comment picker read several posts at once?
No. Each draw reads one post. For one draw across several posts, merge the entrants into a list and use the random name picker.
Can I mix comment entries and DM entries in one draw?
Yes, in a combined draw. Copy the commenters and the people who entered by message into one list, one per line, and draw with a random name picker. Say in the rules that both ways of entering count.
The random comment picker is free, needs no login and picks up to five winners from a public post in one draw.
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