How to Run a Reddit Giveaway With Gleam
Running a giveaway on Reddit can be tricky, strict rules and sceptical communities mean you need the right approach. This guide shows you how to design creative, rule-compliant Reddit giveaways that spark engagement and build trust.
• Always follow Reddit-wide and subreddit-specific giveaway rules
• Make sure your campaign is free to enter and fully transparent
• Use Gleam’s verified logging and winner draw tools for fairness
• Clearly publish Terms & Conditions inside your competition setup
• Announce winners publicly and close the thread once complete
• Combine Reddit discussions with Gleam’s structure for the best results
Reddit is a massive platform with strict rules around promotions.
Gleam makes it easy to stay compliant, log entries, and pick winners fairly while following Reddit’s posting policies.
This guide will walk you through how to run a Reddit giveaway step by step.
Before you start building your campaign, make sure you understand all the rules that apply. This includes Reddit-wide policies, subreddit-specific guidelines, and your own Terms & Conditions.
- All giveaways must be free to enter.
- You cannot ask for upvotes, downvotes, or awards.
- Avoid posting the same giveaway in multiple subreddits.
- Always disclose the prize, eligibility, and deadlines clearly.
You can review Reddit’s official rules on Reddit Help.
Each subreddit has its own posting policies.
Some allow giveaways, others require moderator approval, and some don’t allow promotions at all.
Always check the sidebar or wiki first, or message the moderators if unsure.
You must also include clear Terms & Conditions for your giveaway. These ensure transparency and keep your campaign compliant.
• Go to Competitions → Setup → User Details.
• Gleam will automatically generate Terms & Conditions under the Terms & Conditions field.
• It's a good idea to include this Reddit-specific line: Entry is free. Upvotes, downvotes, awards, karma, or subscribing do not constitute or increase chances of entry.
Check out how to add additional terms and conditions here:
Pick a format that fits the subreddit’s tone and community rules.
Some subreddits prefer discussion-based giveaways, while others allow creative submissions.
Here are a few common formats:
- Comment-to-enter – users comment on your Reddit thread to enter.
- Trivia or quiz – ask a question, correct answers qualify.
- AMA with prize – everyone who asks a question is entered.
- Storytelling – funniest or most interesting story wins.
- Meme or image contest – users post creative submissions.
If you’re running a comment-to-enter giveaway, Reddit entries can’t be automatically verified in Gleam.
Instead, you can export or copy usernames from your Reddit thread and use the Random Name Picker in Quick Draws to select a winner fairly and log the result for proof.
For other giveaway types, you can track and manage entries directly inside a Gleam Competition, perfect for collecting images, form responses, or trivia answers.
• Copy or export usernames from your Reddit giveaway thread
• Open Quick Draws → Random Name Picker
• Paste your list of Reddit usernames (one per line) into the entry field
• Set the number of winners to draw
• Click Draw Winners: Gleam will randomly select names, display the result instantly, and log the draw for proof
Once you’ve chosen your giveaway format, configure your campaign in Gleam to log entries and draw winners fairly.
Reddit integrations are limited to verifying visits and logins, but you can still include additional actions that promote your Reddit presence and other channels.
• Go to Competitions → Setup
• Under How To Enter, add Reddit-related actions where applicable:
- Use Reddit Entry and Reddit Visit (see: Reddit Actions)
• Combine with other supported actions to grow reach and engagement (see the full Actions library), for example: -
Visit a Website, Watch a Video, Join Mailing List, Question/Answer, Viral Share, Submit an Image
• For comment-to-enter giveaways on Reddit, record usernames manually and use the Random Name Picker in Quick Draws to select winners fairly
• Add your prize under the Prizes tab
• Set your entry dates, eligibility, and number of winners
• Review visuals, copy, and entry flow in Design before publishing
Once your campaign is ready, you’ll need to share it with the right audience. Reddit is a great place to spark discussion and attract genuine engagement, but each subreddit has its own posting rules, especially around links and promotions.
Before posting, check whether the subreddit allows external links. If it does, you can share your Gleam campaign’s hosted page directly in your post. If not, you can still run your giveaway on Reddit and track entries manually.
You can also promote the same campaign on other platforms or embed the widget on your own site to maximise reach.
• Once you save your competition, a hosted landing page URL is automatically generated.
• Find it under Competitions → Install → Landing Page.
• Post this link on Reddit if subreddit rules allow, or promote it elsewhere online.
• You can also embed the widget in multiple places.
• Always double-check subreddit rules before posting promotional content.
Keep the post active until the stated end date.
Engage with participants by replying to comments and answering questions, but avoid bumping the thread excessively.
• View all user actions and entry logs in your campaign dashboard.
• Gleam automatically flags duplicate or suspicious entries for review.
• You can manually disqualify entries that don’t meet your rules — see How Gleam Handles Cheaters.
Once your giveaway ends, you can draw winners directly inside Gleam.
The draw is logged automatically, ensuring full transparency and fairness.
• Open your campaign in the dashboard.
• Go to Competition → Winners tab.
• Click Draw Winners and set how many you need.
• Export or screenshot results as proof of fairness.
For next steps, review our guide on Post-Campaign Best Practices.
Running a Reddit giveaway is simple with the right setup.
- Follow Reddit-wide and subreddit rules carefully.
- Use Gleam to track entries, verify eligibility, and select winners fairly.
- Post transparently, avoid spam, and close your campaign professionally.
Use Reddit for conversation.
Use Gleam for structure and fairness.
The 90/10 rule means 90% of your Reddit activity should be non-promotional, while only 10% should promote your product or service.
Yes — Reddit allows giveaways and discounts if they follow subreddit rules. Use Gleam to create targeted campaigns that collect leads and boost engagement.
To promote in a subreddit, read the rules, engage authentically, and offer value — ideally paired with a Gleam-powered giveaway or exclusive offer.
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