Winning sweepstakes is exciting—but sharing them on social media? That’s where things get tricky. Whether you’re spreading the word to friends, trying to earn bonus entries through referrals, or just hyping up a great contest, how you share matters. Done right, it can boost your chances and build community. Done wrong, it could get you banned from a contest—or worse, frustrate your followers.
Find out how to share sweepstakes like a pro with these social media do’s and don’ts.
Why Social Sharing Matters in the Sweepstakes World
Many sweepstakes include bonus entries for sharing on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok. Others ask you to tag friends, use a hashtag, or repost a contest graphic. But while sharing can increase your chances of winning (and help others discover great giveaways), there’s an etiquette to follow—and some clear rules to avoid getting disqualified.
If you want to stay in the game and keep your feed friendly, here’s how to do it right.
✅ DO: Read the Official Rules First
Before you hit share, make sure you’ve read the sweepstakes rules. Some contests:
- Prohibit public sharing
- Require specific hashtags
- Have a limit on how many times you can post
- Require you to tag only one friend, not ten
Not following the rules—even if it’s accidental—could get your entry thrown out.
Pro Tip: If a contest says “share to your story” or “tag one friend in the comments,” don’t change that to a feed post or tag your whole contact list.
❌ DON’T: Spam Your Friends and Followers
Nobody likes being bombarded with giveaway posts all day, every day. If every other thing you post is a sweepstakes link or tag-a-friend entry, your followers might tune you out—or unfollow you altogether.
Try to keep it balanced:
- Limit sweepstakes shares to 1–2 per day
- Use stories instead of constant feed posts
- Avoid tagging the same friends over and over
Make it fun and authentic, not robotic or overwhelming.
✅ DO: Personalize Your Posts
Instead of just reposting the contest graphic or copying/pasting the entry text, add your own spin.
Example:
“This coffee giveaway looks amazing—if I win, I’m taking my bestie for a latte date! ☕💛 You should enter too! #LatteLoveSweepstakes”
Adding a little personality shows you’re genuinely excited, and it encourages others to join without feeling like they’re being sold to.
❌ DON’T: Tag Random People You Don’t Talk To
Tagging strangers (or distant acquaintances) just to meet a contest requirement is a fast way to annoy people—and possibly get reported for spam.
Instead:
- Tag people who you actually interact with
- Let them know why you’re tagging them
- Ask permission if it’s a private post or page
You want to spread the love, not the cringe.
✅ DO: Create a “Sweeps Squad”
Make it easy on yourself—and more fun—by forming a small group of friends who also enjoy entering giveaways. That way, you can tag each other, share contests, and support one another’s entries without bothering others who aren’t interested.
This helps you:
- Avoid duplicate tags to uninterested friends
- Build a little team of accountability and encouragement
- Share leads on new contests
Call it your sweepstakes circle or “Lucky Crew” and make it a regular thing.
❌ DON’T: Post in Off-Limits Groups or Pages
Some Facebook groups, subreddits, or forums specifically ban self-promotion or sweepstakes sharing. Always check the group rules before posting your referral link or entry.
If you ignore the rules:
- Your post may be deleted
- You might get kicked out or banned
- The sweepstakes sponsor could see it as spam and disqualify you
Stick to spaces that welcome sweepstakes content—or better yet, join dedicated sweepstakes groups.
✅ DO: Use Hashtags Wisely
Hashtags are often part of contest rules, but they also help your post get noticed by other entrants or the sponsor.
Best practices:
- Use only the required hashtags
- Keep it neat—don’t overload your caption with a wall of tags
- Check for typos! A single wrong letter can void your entry
Bonus: Some hashtags like #Sweepstakes, #Giveaway, or #ContestAlert can help others find cool contests (and maybe follow you back!).
❌ DON’T: Try to Cheat the System
Don’t create fake accounts to enter or tag yourself. Don’t use bots to auto-post contest entries. And don’t try to trick sponsors into giving you extra entries you didn’t earn.
You may think it’s clever, but:
- Most contests have security checks
- Brands notice patterns
- If caught, you could be permanently banned from future promotions
Keep it honest, and let your lucky streak come the right way.
✅ DO: Celebrate Wins With Class
If you win a prize, go ahead and share the excitement! Thank the sponsor, tag the brand, and show appreciation. It’s a great way to stay in their good graces—and maybe get noticed for future opportunities.
Even if you don’t win, lifting up other winners keeps things positive and fun for everyone.
In Summary: Be Smart, Kind, and Strategic
Social media is one of the best ways to stay connected to the sweepstakes world, earn bonus entries, and find new giveaways—but it’s also a space that requires some finesse.
Stick to these simple guidelines:
- Always read the rules
- Keep it respectful and authentic
- Share with intention, not desperation
- Build community instead of annoying your friends
Use your platform wisely and your next post might just be a winning one.