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Instagram giveaway rules template

Every Instagram giveaway needs official rules with a release of Instagram. These clauses are US templates, not legal advice.

Generate your full official rules

A template, not legal advice. Check your state's rules.

The giveaway
Sponsor
Dates
Who can enter

Open to the 50 states and DC. Tick any state you want to leave out.

Exclude states
How to enter

Everyone needs a way in without a purchase or a social account.

Picking winners
Platforms and privacy

Running it on social? We add the platform release.

[Giveaway title] Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. Eligibility

[Giveaway title] (the "Giveaway") is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Employees, officers and directors of [Sponsor name], its affiliates and agencies, and their immediate family members and people living in the same household, are not eligible. The Giveaway is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

2. Entry period

The Giveaway begins on [start date and time] and ends on [end date and time] (the "Entry Period"). Entries received outside the Entry Period will not be accepted. Sponsor's clock is the official timekeeper.

3. How to enter

To enter for free during the Entry Period, follow these steps:

  • [how to enter, one step per line]

Alternate method of entry: To enter without using social media, email [contact email] with the subject line "[Giveaway title] Entry" and include your full name, mailing address, email address and date of birth. Alternate entries have the same chance of winning as all other entries.

Limit one (1) entry per person, regardless of entry method. Entries generated by script, bot or other automated means are void.

4. Winner selection and notification

On or about [drawing date], Sponsor will select one (1) potential winner in a random drawing from all eligible entries received. Sponsor's decisions are final and binding on all matters relating to the Giveaway.

Potential winners will be notified by email or direct message on the platform used to enter within three (3) days of the drawing. A potential winner must respond within seven (7) days of notification and may be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release and, where lawful, a publicity release. If a potential winner does not respond in time, cannot accept the prize or is found ineligible, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.

5. Prizes and approximate retail value

Approximate retail value ("ARV") of all prizes: [total prize value]. Prizes are not transferable, and no cash or other substitution is allowed, except that Sponsor may substitute a prize of equal or greater value if a prize becomes unavailable. Winners are responsible for all federal, state and local taxes on their prize. A winner whose prizes are valued at $600 or more will receive an IRS Form 1099.

  • [prize, one per line]

6. Odds

Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period.

7. General conditions

Sponsor may disqualify anyone who tampers with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway, or who acts in violation of these Official Rules. If the Giveaway cannot run as planned because of fraud, technical failure or any other cause beyond Sponsor's control, Sponsor may cancel, end or modify the Giveaway and select winners from eligible entries received before the action was taken. Except where prohibited, by accepting a prize a winner agrees that Sponsor may use their name, city, state and likeness for promotional purposes without further payment.

8. Release and limitation of liability

By entering, entrants agree to release and hold harmless [Sponsor name] and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents from any claims, losses or damages arising from participation in the Giveaway or the acceptance, use or misuse of any prize. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete or misdirected entries, or for technical failures of any kind.

9. Privacy

Sponsor will use information collected from entrants to administer the Giveaway and award prizes. Sponsor will not use it for other purposes unless an entrant agrees.

10. Governing law

These Official Rules are governed by the laws of [Sponsor's state], without regard to its conflict of law rules.

11. Sponsor

The Sponsor of the Giveaway is [Sponsor name], [Sponsor mailing address]. Questions can be sent to [contact email]. For a list of winners, email [contact email] with the subject line "Winners List" within thirty (30) days after the Entry Period ends.

11 blanks left to fill

Clauses every Instagram giveaway needs

Adapt these, or let the generator above write the whole set for you.

Eligibility
The Giveaway is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. who are 18 or older at the time of entry and have a public Instagram account. Employees of Sponsor and their immediate family members are not eligible. Void where prohibited.
Entry period
The Giveaway begins when the giveaway post is published on [date] and ends [date] at 11:59pm Eastern Time. Comments posted after the end time will not be counted. Sponsor's computer is the official clock.
How to enter
To enter, follow [@handle] on Instagram and leave a comment on the giveaway post that tags one other Instagram account. Each comment that tags a different account counts as one entry, up to [5] entries per person. Comments that tag brand accounts, bots or the same account twice will not be counted.
Winner selection
On or about [date], Sponsor will select one winner at random from all eligible entries using a random draw that publishes its source of randomness and a fingerprint of the entry list, so anyone can verify the result. The winner will be notified by Instagram direct message from [@handle] and must reply within 48 hours or an alternate winner will be selected.
Instagram release
This Giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram. By entering, each entrant releases Instagram from all liability related to the Giveaway. Questions about the Giveaway must be directed to Sponsor, not Instagram.
Prize and odds
One winner will receive [prize], approximate retail value $[ARV]. No substitution or cash equivalent except at Sponsor's discretion. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The winner is responsible for any taxes.
Privacy
Sponsor collects entrants' Instagram usernames and comment text only to run the Giveaway. The winner's username may be posted publicly on the giveaway results page for 30 days. Sponsor will not sell entrant information.

Before you post

  • Rules are live at a link in your bio before the post goes up.
  • The release names Instagram and says the giveaway isn't sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with it.
  • The entry clause describes the exact comment you'll count, including tag limits.
  • You haven't asked anyone to tag themselves in content they don't appear in.
  • The notification clause names the DM account and a reply deadline.
  • The prize clause lists an approximate retail value, which you'll need for tax paperwork on prizes above the IRS reporting threshold.

Make it work harder

  1. Match the rules to the caption

    If the caption says 'tag 2 friends' and the rules say 'tag a friend', you'll get disputes. Write the caption last, from the rules.

  2. Name a verifiable draw

    Saying 'selected at random' is standard. Saying how, with a public results link, kills 'rigged' comments before they start.

  3. Plan for fake winner accounts

    Scam accounts copy your handle and DM entrants. Add a line like 'We will never ask for payment or card details' to your rules and caption.

Questions people ask

Does Instagram require official rules for a giveaway?

Instagram's promotion guidelines make you responsible for running the promotion lawfully, including official rules, offer terms and eligibility. In the US, written rules are also how you show no purchase is necessary.

What is the Instagram release?

A clause where each entrant releases Instagram from liability, plus an acknowledgment that the promotion isn't sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Instagram. Instagram's guidelines ask for both.

Can I copy these rules for a TikTok giveaway?

Change the platform names and the entry clause. TikTok entry mechanics differ, so use the TikTok rules template or set the platform in the generator.

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