Entry Method Verification: API vs Manual

SweepWidget uses API verification wherever possible to ensure contest entries are authentic. However, some social platforms don’t offer APIs that allow verification of actions like follows or likes. This guide explains which platforms support API verification and which use manual verification.

Quick Reference Table

Platform	API Verified	Manual Verify	Notes
Discord	✅		OAuth + server membership verification
Telegram	✅		Bot API verifies channel/group membership
Twitch	✅		OAuth + follow verification
Pinterest	✅		OAuth + follow/save verification
Reddit	✅		OAuth + subreddit join verification
LinkedIn	✅		OAuth + follow verification
Spotify	✅		OAuth + follow/playlist verification
YouTube	✅		OAuth + subscribe verification
Twitter/X	✅		OAuth + follow verification (rate-limited)
Instagram		✅	API doesn’t support follow/like verification
Facebook		✅	API doesn’t support follow/like verification
TikTok		✅	API doesn’t support follow/like verification

How API Verification Works

When a platform supports API verification:

User clicks to complete the entry method (e.g., “Join Discord Server”)
User authenticates with their social account via OAuth
SweepWidget’s API checks if the action was actually completed
Entry is only credited if verification passes

This provides the highest level of entry authenticity.

How Manual Verification Works

For platforms where API verification isn’t available (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok):

User clicks to complete the action (e.g., “Follow on Instagram”)
User is directed to the social platform to perform the action
User returns and enters their username
Entry is credited based on the username they provide

Why can’t these platforms be API verified?

Instagram/Facebook: Meta’s APIs don’t provide endpoints to check if one user follows another account
TikTok: TikTok’s API doesn’t support verification of follows, likes, or video views

Twitter/X API Verification

Twitter/X supports full API verification for follows, retweets, and tweets. When a user authenticates via OAuth, SweepWidget verifies they actually completed the action using Twitter’s API.

Note: Due to Twitter API rate limits, verification requests may be throttled during high-traffic periods. The system tracks remaining API hits and manages verification accordingly.

Is Manual Verification Reliable?

Yes, for most use cases. Here’s why:

High authenticity rate: Most participants complete the action honestly, especially when they understand winners will be verified
Deterrent effect: Knowing they need to provide their username discourages fake entries
Winner verification: You only need to manually verify the winner(s), not every single entry

Recommended Workflow for Manual Verification Platforms

Run your giveaway with Instagram/Facebook/TikTok entry methods
Select winner(s) using the random winner picker
Verify the winner: Check if they actually follow you on the platform
If they don’t follow: Disqualify them and select a new winner
Repeat until you have a verified winner

This workflow ensures your winner is legitimate while keeping the entry process simple for participants.

Platform-Specific Details

Platforms with Full API Verification

Discord

Users authenticate via OAuth and SweepWidget verifies they actually joined your server. The API confirms server membership in real-time.

Discord entry methods documentation →

Uses bot API integration to verify channel or group membership. Users must join and the bot confirms their membership.

Telegram entry methods documentation →

Twitch

OAuth authentication with API verification for follows. SweepWidget confirms the user is actually following your channel.

Twitch entry methods documentation →

Full OAuth integration with API verification for follows and saves.

Pinterest entry methods documentation →

OAuth authentication verifies subreddit membership.

Reddit entry methods documentation →

OAuth with API verification for company page follows.

LinkedIn entry methods documentation →

Spotify

OAuth authentication with verification for artist follows and playlist saves.

Spotify entry methods documentation →

YouTube

OAuth with API verification for channel subscriptions.

YouTube entry methods documentation →

Twitter/X

OAuth authentication with API verification for follows, retweets, and tweets. The system uses Twitter’s friendships/show endpoint to verify follows in real-time.

Twitter entry methods documentation →

Platforms with Manual Verification

Instagram

Meta’s Instagram API is limited to reading a user’s own content—it cannot check if someone follows another account. Users enter their Instagram username after completing the action.

Instagram entry methods documentation →

Facebook

Similar to Instagram, Facebook’s API doesn’t allow verification of page likes or follows by other users. Users manually confirm by entering their name.

Facebook entry methods documentation →

TikTok

TikTok’s API is primarily for content creators to manage their own content—there’s no endpoint to verify follows, likes, or video views from other users.

TikTok entry methods documentation →

CRM & Email Integrations

All 20+ CRM/email integrations are fully API-connected. When a user subscribes to your newsletter, their information is automatically added to your email list via direct API connection.

CRM Integration Setup Guide →

Photo Contest Uploads

For photo contests, users upload photos directly from their device. Direct import from Instagram or Facebook is not currently supported—all photos must be uploaded manually.

Tips for Maximizing Entry Quality

Use API-verified platforms when possible: Discord, Telegram, Twitch, Twitter/X, etc. provide the highest entry authenticity
Combine entry methods: Require both an API-verified action and a manual action to increase engagement quality
Enable email verification: Require email verification to reduce fake entries
Use security settings: Adjust your security level to block suspicious entries
Verify winners: Always manually verify that winners completed manual-verification actions before awarding prizes

Summary

SweepWidget uses API verification wherever the platform allows it. For Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, we use manual username verification because these platforms’ APIs don’t support checking if users completed actions like follows or likes.

The manual verification approach still provides high-quality entries, and you can easily verify winners before awarding prizes.