How to pick a giveaway winner fairly

Write the rules first

Before the promotion begins, publish the entry period, eligibility criteria, prize, number of winners and contact method. Decide whether multiple eligible comments give someone multiple chances or whether each person gets one entry. Do not change that rule after reviewing the list.

Check the requirements of the platform hosting the promotion and the rules that apply where you operate. This generator is not legal advice, an eligibility checker or a certified lottery service. For valuable prizes, plan a more controlled process and recordkeeping in advance.

Prepare the list before you draw

1. Collect entries that meet the published rules. Exclude invalid entries using the same criteria for everyone.
2. For YouTube comments, prepare the entries yourself and paste one per line. This tool does not connect to YouTube or fetch comments automatically.
3. Decide what counts as a duplicate: an identical line, multiple comments from one account or a repeated entry. Remove duplicates only if that matches the rules participants saw.
4. Check the number of lines, the number of winners and any blank entries before the draw. If appropriate, show participants that the list is ready.
5. Run the random picker. If your rules require a record, note the date and the version of the list used. Avoid publishing unnecessary personal information.

What the randomizer can and cannot do

The tool randomly selects an entry from the list you paste. It does not verify a subscription, task completion, account identity or eligibility. A draw cannot repair an incomplete or incorrect source list.

That may be enough for a small, informal giveaway. For a promotion with a valuable prize, consider an independent observer, recording the process and checking applicable requirements. Do not describe a basic result as a certified draw or promise a cryptographically verifiable proof; this interface does not create such a record.

Common questions