How to pick a giveaway winner on Twitch
Twitch giveaways happen live, which means entries scroll past fast and the chat buffer won't hold them for long. Capture names as they come in, close entries on stream, and draw where your viewers can watch.
Draw your Twitch winner
Who's in?
0 entries
Doo draws with public randomness that doesn't exist until after your list is locked in. Anyone can check the result.
Get your Twitch entries
Pick a chat command
Tell chat to type a word like !enter during a set window, say 10 minutes. A short command is easy to spot and easy to filter.
Log entries as they arrive
Most chat bots (Streamer.bot, StreamElements, Nightbot and friends) can either run their own giveaway or record who typed a command. If you'd rather use your own draw, have the bot write names to a file or a list.
Small stream? Use a mod
With fewer than 50 chatters, a mod can copy each username who types !enter into a doc. Keep the window short so they can keep up.
Close entries out loud
Say "entries closed" on stream and post it in chat. Anyone typing !enter after that is out, and the VOD proves when you called it.
Pick and check the winner
Put the Winner Picker on screen
Add a browser source or share your screen, paste the usernames and let chat watch the result land. Nothing builds hype like the reel slowing down.
Decide on a claim timer
Many streamers ask the winner to type in chat within 2 minutes. If that's your rule, say it before the draw and pick a backup winner at the same time.
Drop the results link in chat
Post the link and pin it. Viewers who missed the moment can check the full entry list and the draw afterward.
Mistakes that make a draw look rigged
- Requiring subs, bits or a donation to enter. That's a purchase, and US sweepstakes need a free way to enter.
- Typing names into the picker from memory instead of from a log.
- Changing the claim timer after the winner is drawn because you wanted someone else to win.
- Letting the bot account or your own channel name end up in the list.
- Skipping a read of Twitch's current rules on giveaways and promotions before running one on stream.
Announce the winner
Post it where people entered, and link the results page so anyone can check the draw.
🎉 GG chat! @[winner] won [prize]! Whisper or DM a mod within 24 hours to claim. [number] of you entered and it was a random draw: [results link]. Next giveaway at [milestone].
Questions people ask
Can I make subscribers get extra entries?
Be careful. In the US, a purchase can't improve your odds unless there's an equal free way to get the same entries. If you want a sub perk, check with a lawyer first.
How do I save Twitch chat for a giveaway?
Twitch doesn't give you a chat export, so use a chat bot that logs commands, or a mod copying names live. Chat replay on the VOD also shows who typed what, which helps if you need to double-check.
Should the winner have to be watching live?
It's up to you, but say it before entries open. A claim timer rewards live viewers; a 24-hour claim window is friendlier to people in other time zones.