How to Run an Instagram Giveaway: A Step-by-Step Guide to Boost Engagement

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Want to grow your followers, increase brand awareness, and build hype around your product or service? Hosting an Instagram giveaway is one of the most effective ways to do just that. Whether you’re planning your first Instagram giveaway or looking to improve your next campaign, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

From choosing the right giveaway type and setting Instagram giveaway rules, to creating a compelling giveaway post that encourages users to tag friends and enter your giveaway, this post covers how to run an Instagram giveaway successfully and legally in 2025.

What Is an Instagram Giveaway?

An Instagram giveaway is a limited-time promotion where participants can enter the giveaway by completing certain actions—like following an account, commenting on a post, or tagging friends—for a chance to win a giveaway prize.

Giveaways help brands and creators:

  • Gain new followers
  • Boost engagement on posts
  • Create user-generated content
  • Reach a broader target audience

When done well, a giveaway on Instagram can be a game-changer for your Instagram marketing strategy.

How Do You Host an Instagram Giveaway?

To host an Instagram giveaway, you’ll need to plan out:

  • The type of giveaway
  • The giveaway prize
  • Your goals (e.g., more followers, comments, or website visits)
  • How participants will enter your Instagram giveaway

Once that’s clear, you’ll create a giveaway post that explains the rules and how to participate. You’ll also want to use Instagram tools like Stories or Reels to promote it further.

What Are the Most Popular Types of Instagram Giveaways?

There are several types of Instagram giveaways you can run depending on your objective:

  • Like and comment to enter
  • Follow and tag friends
  • Share the post to Stories
  • User-generated content contests (e.g., best photo or caption)
  • Collaborative giveaways with another brand or influencer

Each type of Instagram giveaway has its own strengths. For quick growth, the tag-a-friend Instagram format works great. For deep engagement, UGC is the way to go.

How Do You Run an Instagram Giveaway in 6 Steps?

Here’s how to run a successful Instagram giveaway in just 6 steps:

Define Your Goal

Are you aiming to grow your Instagram follower count, promote a new product, or collect email leads?

Choose a Relevant Prize

Your giveaway prize should be valuable and aligned with your target audience. Make the prize compelling to encourage participation.

Write a Clear Caption

The caption should outline the rules, deadline, and how people can enter. Don’t forget to include:

  • What the prize is
  • How to enter (e.g., follow, tag a friend, like the post)
  • Entry deadline

Date you’ll select a winner

Use the Right Hashtags

Use trending and branded hashtags to reach potential new followers and appear in Instagram search. Examples: #Giveaway2025, #WinItWednesday

Promote Your Instagram Giveaway

Use Instagram Stories, Reels, and even your email newsletter to boost visibility. You can also ask your followers to share the giveaway.

Pick a Winner and Announce It

Use an Instagram giveaway picker tool to randomly select a winner, and then announce the winner on your feed and Stories.

What Should Your Instagram Giveaway Post Include?

An effective Instagram giveaway post should include:

  • A high-quality image of the prize
  • A catchy headline (e.g., “Win This Bundle!”)
  • Instructions in the caption
  • Your Instagram giveaway rules
  • Branded hashtags
  • A reminder to follow your account

Also, make sure your post on Instagram stands out in the Instagram feed—bold visuals and concise copy are key.

What Are the Official Instagram Giveaway Rules?

Your giveaway post should include the following:

  • Disclosure that the giveaway is one and not affiliated with or sponsored by Instagram
  • A reference to applicable rules and regulations governing the giveaway
  • Entry deadlines and eligibility requirements

Following Instagram giveaway rules protects your account and builds trust with your audience.

How Can You Promote Your Instagram Giveaway?

Promotion is just as important as the giveaway post itself. Here’s how to promote your Instagram giveaway:

  • Create a Reel or Story about the giveaway
  • Include it in your Instagram Stories daily
  • Use other social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter)
  • Run paid ads to boost reach
  • Partner with another brand or Instagram account

The more visibility, the more people to enter—and the more successful your campaign will be.

What Are Some Effective Instagram Giveaway Ideas?

Here are a few Instagram giveaway ideas that are working well in 2025:

  • “Tag a friend” for a chance to win
  • “Post your own photo with our product”
  • “Best caption wins”
  • “Follow us and our partner brand”
  • “Like this post + comment with your favorite emoji”

Tailor your giveaway ideas to your target audience and what makes them excited to engage.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid?

To keep your giveaway go smoothly, avoid these common mistakes:

  • Not clearly stating the rules in the caption
  • Forgetting to select a winner
  • Not complying with promotion guidelines
  • Offering a prize that doesn’t align with your target audience
  • Using misleading or unclear hashtags

Avoid these, and your first giveaway will run smoothly.

How Do Instagram Giveaways Help Grow Your Following?

A well-executed Instagram giveaway can:

  • Grow your Instagram fast by attracting new followers
  • Increase engagement and followers
  • Improve your Instagram presence
  • Drive traffic to your Instagram business page
  • Generate user-generated content

Giveaways allow Instagram users to engage with your brand in fun and rewarding ways.

Key Tips for Running a Successful Instagram Giveaway

  • Choose a giveaway type that fits your goal
  • Use a compelling caption with clear instructions
  • Promote across your Instagram feed, Stories, and other platforms
  • Use a giveaway picker tool to choose a winner
  • Follow Instagram giveaway rules to stay compliant
  • Offer a prize your target audience will value
  • Encourage participants to tag friends and share the post
  • Measure success by engagement, entries, and new followers
  • Save time with tools like Instagram giveaway picker
  • Use giveaways as part of your overall Instagram marketing strategy