How To Run a Scavenger Hunt with Gleam
Learn how to set up and run a scavenger hunt with Gleam.
• Learn how to run a scavenger hunt giveaway with Gleam
• Use secret codes and clues to boost engagement
• Drive traffic across social, email, and web
• Prevent fraudulent entries with built-in verification
• Use ready-made templates for fast setup
Scavenger hunts are one of the most interactive giveaway formats you can run.
They turn passive followers into active participants by encouraging people to explore your content, click through pages, and search for hidden clues that unlock rewards or prizes. This curiosity creates genuine excitement and drives deeper engagement across your website and social channels.
A well-planned scavenger hunt can help you promote new products, educate customers, and reward loyal fans — all while increasing time on site and conversion rates.
Ecommerce brands often hide discount codes across product pages, creators reveal clues in livestreams or newsletters, and SaaS platforms use them to guide users through key features or onboarding flows.
When you run a scavenger hunt with Gleam, entries are automatically verified and protected against fraud. This means you can focus on creativity, storytelling, and promotion instead of manually checking entries. The result is a repeatable, scalable campaign format that fits perfectly into your seasonal calendar.
Use Gleam’s Virtual Scavenger Hunt template to collect verified entries automatically and manage the entire campaign from one dashboard.
You can design multi-step clues that encourage users to visit multiple pages or social profiles to find the right answers. As players progress, they unlock additional entries, keeping engagement high until the campaign ends.
This format works especially well for launch campaigns or themed promotions — for instance, a fashion brand hiding codes across lookbooks or a gaming company planting clues in teaser trailers.
• Go to Competitions → Setup and open the Virtual Scavenger Hunt template
• Add your campaign name, prize details, and entry deadline
• Create Secret Code actions and define each valid clue
• Enable fraud prevention to ensure fair play
• Publish and share across your site, socials, and email newsletter
Once your scavenger hunt is live, promote it across all your touchpoints — blog posts, product pages, social media, and email campaigns. Each clue should naturally guide users toward your products, features, or brand story, creating a seamless discovery experience.
Adding a live draw to your scavenger hunt is a great way to end on a high note. It builds trust, creates excitement, and encourages repeat participation in future giveaways.
With Gleam’s Random Name Picker, you can host a transparent, engaging winner announcement that your audience can follow in real time. This feature is especially popular with Twitch streamers, YouTubers, and brands that like to create a shared community moment around the finale.
• Go to your campaign dashboard after entries close
• Select the Random Name Picker or Quick Draw template
• Choose public draw mode for transparency
• Stream or record the draw to boost trust and engagement
• Announce your winner across social media channels
Hosting your draw live not only proves fairness but also gives you an opportunity to showcase upcoming products, mention future giveaways, and celebrate your community in real time.
If you prefer instant gratification over a prize draw, the Secret Code Rewards template is ideal. Participants unlock discounts or rewards immediately by entering valid codes.
This format suits flash sales, loyalty programs, and limited-time promotions. For example, a beauty brand could share exclusive codes during a live stream that unlock a free sample, while a SaaS business might reward users who discover hidden features with an upgrade discount.
• Go to Rewards → Setup and open the Secret Code Rewards template
• Add your offer: discount, coupon, or bonus content
• Create codes with limited validity for urgency
• Connect fulfilment via your CRM, store, or automation tool
• Share your campaign on social, email, and popups
This type of campaign helps you convert attention into action. Instant rewards give participants a tangible reason to complete the hunt and make a purchase, driving immediate sales while reinforcing positive brand perception.
Visibility drives participation, so consistent promotion is key. Use Gleam Captures to highlight your campaign across your site with banners, popups, or overlays.
Captures are especially powerful for announcing limited-time hunts, teasing clues, or encouraging returning visitors to finish the challenge they started.
• Go to Captures → Setup
• Choose Floating → Text or Fullscreen → Image to feature your campaign
• Link directly to your giveaway or reward page
• Set display triggers (exit intent, time on page, or scroll depth)
• Publish and track performance from your Gleam dashboard
Combine this with your email newsletter, social posts, and cross-promotions from partners to maximise visibility. Reposting user-generated content or progress updates throughout the campaign also helps maintain momentum.
- Keep clues challenging but achievable
- Offer prizes that align with your brand and audience
- Promote across multiple channels for maximum reach
- Draw winners live to add transparency and excitement
- Combine giveaways and rewards to sustain engagement
- Plan a narrative: Turn your scavenger hunt into a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Each clue should feel like part of a bigger experience.
- Leverage seasons and events: Tie your hunts to holidays, launches, or community themes for built-in relevance.
- Measure performance: Use Gleam analytics to see which channels or clues drove the most engagement.
- Encourage sharing: Reward users with bonus entries when they refer friends to join the hunt.
Start your scavenger hunt today with Gleam’s Giveaway and Reward Templates.
Need fresh concepts for your next scavenger hunt? Check out our blog post 150+ Giveaway Ideas to find themes, prize bundles, and creative mechanics that drive engagement and conversions.
Hide codes or clues in your content and reward users who complete every step. Click to run an engaging scavenger hunt on social media.
A scavenger hunt competition sends users to find clues, hidden codes, or content across platforms. Click to learn how this builds engagement and discovery.
A secret code entry rewards users for unlocking hidden clues. Click to see how Gleam helps create engaging scavenger hunt contests.
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