How To Pick A Winner On Facebook Giveaway: 9 Expert Ways

If you are running a giveaway on Facebook, in the end, you have to pick the Winner. So, here I will tell you about 9 ways on how to pick a winner on Facebook giveaway. This topic is important because picking the right Winner can determine the success or failure of your giveaway campaign. 

Let’s find out.

how to pick a winner on facebook giveaway

How to Pick a Winner on Facebook Giveaway?


How do you select a winner for a giveaway on Facebook? The giveaway means the Winner will be selected randomly. But there are so many ways to choose the Winner randomly. Numerous options are available, from giveaway winner picker tools to manual selection. Below are nine expert ways to pick a winner on the Facebook giveaway: 

#1. Good Ol’ Manual Method:

The good old manual method is the most common way to pick a winner for a giveaway. This means you go through all the entries and select one by hand. You can use tools like Google’s random number generator or jot down all the names on pieces of paper and pull out one from a hat.

Or, you can just write down the names of all participants, maybe on sticky notes or in a spreadsheet. Then, close your eyes and pick one! Sure, it’s a bit old school, but who doesn’t love a classic?

#2. Random Comment Picker/Giveaway Picker: 

If you’re running a giveaway where participants need to leave a comment on your post, you can use a cool random comment picker tool or giveaway picker. 

Plenty of free Facebook comment picker tools exist, like Comment Picker, Wask, and Woobox. These tools will randomly select a comment from your post, making it easy and fair to pick a winner. You can even go for their premium subscription for some extra awesome features.

You must copy and paste the link to your post and let the tool do the rest. This method ensures fairness by randomly picking a winner with no biased decisions.

Check out the below video on how to use Comment Picker to pick Facebook giveaway winner.

#3. Third-Party Giveaway Tools:

There are also paid third-party giveaway tools like Gleam or Rafflecopter that allow you to run and pick winners for your Facebook giveaway easily. These tools offer features like entry tracking, winner selection, and even automatic prize fulfillment.

While these tools may come at a cost, they can save you time and effort in the long run by streamlining the entire process of running a giveaway and picking a winner.

#4. Engagement-Based Method:

This method considers participants’ level of engagement and interaction on your giveaway post. For example, you can choose a winner based on who has the most likes, shares, or comments on their entry.

While this method may not be completely random, it rewards those who put in effort to promote your giveaway and engage with your brand. It also helps increase awareness and reach for your giveaway.

#5. Excel or Google Sheets Randomizer:

If you’re tech-savvy and comfortable working with spreadsheets, you can use an Excel or Google Sheets randomizer to pick a winner for your Facebook giveaway.

Simply copy and paste all the names or entry numbers into a spreadsheet, then use the RAND function to generate a number randomly. 

Here is the process-

  1. Copy all the names or entry numbers into a spreadsheet.
  2. In an empty cell, type =RAND().
  3. Press Enter or Return to generate a random number between 0 and 1.
  4. Copy and paste the formula into all the cells next to each name or entry number.
  5. Sort the data by the column with random numbers.
  6. The first entry will be your Winner!

This method is great if you have many entries and want to save time by automating the selection process.

#6. Wheel of Names:

Here’s another cool and interactive way to choose a winner for your Facebook giveaway: use a wheel of names! Many free online tools let you enter all the participants’ names and spin a virtual wheel to randomly pick a winner. 

Some examples include Wheel of Names, Wheel Decide, and Flippity Random Name Picker. This method adds excitement and anticipation to the winner selection process, and it looks cool, too! You can easily share it on social media for extra engagement. 

Remember to record or take a screenshot of the spin to keep things transparent and avoid disputes.

#7. Use Number Generator:

You can use an online number generator to choose your Facebook giveaway winner. This method is great if you have a specific range of entry numbers or want to make sure the Winner is chosen completely at random.

Some popular number generators include Random.org and MiniWebTool’s Random Number Generator. Simply enter the minimum and maximum numbers, click “Generate,” and you have your Winner! 

#8. Picked by a Random People:

Another fun way to choose a winner for your Facebook giveaway is to get random people involved in the selection process. You can ask your friends or family members to pick a number, name, or comment from the entries, making it random and adding an element of surprise.

You can even go out in public and ask strangers to pick a winner, creating a buzz and getting more engagement for your giveaway. Just make sure to capture the whole thing on video or in photos to share with your audience.

This method adds a personal touch and makes selecting a winner more exciting for everyone involved. Plus, it can help you reach a wider audience, too! 

#9. Live Draw on Facebook:

Last but not the least, you can even do a live draw on Facebook to pick your Winner! This method creates excitement and interacts with your audience in real-time. You can go live on Facebook or use tools like StreamYard or Zoom to announce the Winner live. 

Just follow all the rules and guidelines for the giveaway, like eligibility criteria or entry deadlines. And, of course, don’t forget to have fun and thank everyone for participating!

Read also: How to pick Instagram giveaway winner?

11 Pro Tips to Pick a Winner on Facebook Giveaway


You already have many ideas to help you pick a winner for your Facebook giveaway. But here are some pro tips to make the process even smoother and more successful:

#1. Set Clear Rules and Guidelines:

Before starting your giveaway, set clear rules and guidelines for participation. This includes eligibility criteria, entry deadlines, and any necessary steps for participants (e.g., following your Page or commenting on the post). This will help avoid any confusion or disputes later on.

Read also: Giveaway contest ideas

#2. Use a Randomization Method:

As mentioned, using a randomization method is the fairest and most unbiased way to pick a winner for your Facebook giveaway. Use some form of randomization in your selection process, whether through a third-party tool, engagement-based method, or number generator.

#3. Keep Track of Entries:

Keep track of all the entries for your giveaway to ensure that everyone who followed the rules and guidelines is included in the selection process. You can use spreadsheets or online tools to keep everything organized. In addition, it’s a good idea to save screenshots or records of entries in case of any disputes.

#4. Promote Your Giveaway:

Promoting your giveaway on different platforms and using eye-catching visuals can help increase participation and engagement. Make sure to spread the word on your social media accounts, website, and even through emails to your subscribers.

#5. Be Transparent:

Transparency is key in picking a winner for your Facebook giveaway. Make sure to clearly announce the selection process and share any evidence or records of the chosen Winner. This will help build trust with your audience and avoid any conflicts.

#6. Avoid Repeated Winners:

If you frequently run giveaways on your Facebook page, avoid picking the same person as a winner multiple times. This will help give other participants a chance to win and keep things fair for everyone.

#7. Announce the Winner promptly:

Once you have chosen a winner, make sure to announce it promptly. This will keep your participants engaged and excited and show that your giveaway is legitimate.

#8. Use Hashtags:

Using relevant hashtags can help increase the reach of your Facebook giveaway and attract more participants. Make sure to research popular and relevant hashtags for your posts and promotions.

#9. Offer a Consolation Prize:

If your giveaway has multiple prizes, consider offering a consolation prize for those who didn’t win the main prize. This will help keep everyone engaged and happy, even if they don’t win the big prize.

#10. Follow Facebook’s Guidelines:

Follow Facebook’s guidelines for running a giveaway on the platform to avoid violations or penalties. 

The guideline states that if you use your Page, group, or event to announce or run a contest, giveaway, or sweepstake, you must ensure that your promotion complies with the relevant legal and regulatory requirements. This includes providing entrants with a copy of the official rules, disclosing offer terms and eligibility requirements, and registering your promotion with the appropriate authorities. 

You should also require participants to release and hold Meta harmless from liability and acknowledge that the promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered, or associated with Meta in any way. 

Additionally, your promotion should not require or incentivize participants to share, repost, tag others, or publicize your promotion in any other way. Please note that Meta will not assist you in administering a promotion, so if you choose to use our services for that purpose, you do so at your own risk.

#11. Thank Everyone for Participating:

Lastly, don’t forget to thank everyone who participated in your Facebook giveaway, even if they didn’t win. Showing appreciation and gratitude can help build a positive relationship with your audience and encourage them to participate in future giveaways.  

Read also: Facebook contest ideas

FAQs on Picking a Winner on Facebook Giveaway


Can I pick multiple winners for my Facebook giveaway?

Yes, you can pick multiple winners for your Facebook giveaway. Just clearly state the winners’ number and prizes in your rules and guidelines.

Is it necessary to use a randomization method to pick a winner?

While it’s not required, using a randomization method is the fairest and most unbiased way to pick a winner for your Facebook giveaway. It also helps build trust with your audience and avoids conflicts or disputes.

Can I run a giveaway on my personal Facebook profile?

According to Facebook’s promotions guidelines, giveaways should only be run through Pages, groups, or event pages. This is to ensure that the promotion complies with legal and regulatory requirements and to prevent spamming or misuse of personal profiles.

How often can I run a giveaway on my Facebook page?

You can run giveaways on your Facebook page as often as you like. Follow the platform’s guidelines and keep things fair for all participants.

Read also: How long should a giveaway last

Can I require participants to share, repost, or tag others to enter my giveaway?

According to Facebook’s guidelines, requiring or incentivizing participants to take any action that publicizes your promotion is not allowed. This includes sharing, reposting, or tagging others in the post or promotion. So, avoid these actions to comply with the guidelines and prevent potential penalties.

Can I exclude certain participants from the selection process?

No, excluding certain participants from the selection process is not allowed, as it goes against the principle of fairness. All participants who followed the rules and guidelines should have an equal chance of winning.  

If you suspect any fraudulent or ineligible entries, address them individually rather than excluding a whole group of participants. This will help maintain transparency and credibility in your giveaway.

What is the best comment picker for a Facebook giveaway?

Various comment picker tools available online can help you randomly select a winner for your Facebook giveaway, such as Comment Picker, Woobox, and Agorapulse. It’s ultimately up to personal preference and specific features you may seek in a comment picker tool. Research and test different options before choosing one for your giveaway. 

How to win a Facebook giveaway?

If you want to score a win in a Facebook giveaway, as a participant, you gotta play by the rules and guidelines set by the giveaway host. That could mean giving their Page a follow, liking or commenting on a post, or meeting other criteria mentioned in their promotion. Don’t forget to double-check if the giveaway is legit and follows Facebook’s promotion guidelines. 

Read also: How to win a giveaway?

Conclusion:

Now, you have all the tools and tips to successfully run a Facebook giveaway and pick a winner. Plan and promote your giveaway well, use fair selection methods, and follow Facebook’s guidelines. 

And don’t forget to have fun and engage with your audience throughout the process! So go ahead and start planning your next amazing giveaway on Facebook today.

Julia Nancy
Julia Nancy

I have vast experience arranging online voting contests for hundreds of clients worldwide in the last 8 years. I also helped countless clients to win their online competitions. Here, on royalvotes.com, I am just sharing knowledge from my experiences. If you need any help regarding the online contest, email me at julia@royalvotes.com