Geo-targeting: Restrict Users By Country
Geo-targeting allows you to restrict your giveaway entries to participants from specific countries. This is essential for legal compliance, shipping limitations, or when running region-specific promotions.
Why Restrict by Country
- Legal requirements – Some countries have strict giveaway/sweepstakes laws
- Shipping limitations – Physical prizes can only be shipped to certain regions
- Regional promotions – Target specific markets for localized campaigns
- Sponsor requirements – Sponsors may require geographic restrictions
- Currency/payment limitations – Gift cards or vouchers may only work in certain countries
- Language targeting – Run giveaways for specific language markets
How to Set Up Geo-Targeting
Step 1: Go to Security Settings
- Create or edit a giveaway
- Click on the Security Settings tab in the left sidebar
Step 2: Enable Geo-Location
Check the box labeled “Geo-location: only allow entries from specific countries”
Step 3: Specify Allowed Countries
You have two options:
Option A: Allow All Countries (Default)
Keep the “Allow all countries” checkbox checked. This allows participants from anywhere in the world to enter.
Option B: Restrict to Specific Countries
- Uncheck the “Allow all countries” checkbox
- In the text area labeled “List the countries that are allowed to enter”, type the country names
- Separate multiple countries with commas
Step 4: Save Your Changes
Click Save & Publish to apply the geo-targeting restrictions.
How to Enter Country Names
Enter country names in the text area, separated by commas:
United States, Canada, United KingdomOr for a single country:
United Kingdom,Country Name Format
Use the full country name as it commonly appears. Examples:
| Correct Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| United States | Not “USA” or “US” |
| United Kingdom | Not “UK” or “Britain” |
| Canada | |
| Australia | |
| Germany | Not “Deutschland” |
| France | |
| Spain | Not “Espana” |
| Brazil | Not “Brasil” |
| Mexico | |
| India |
What Blocked Users See
When someone from a restricted country visits your giveaway, they see the message:
“This location is not allowed to enter.”
The giveaway details (title, description, countdown, prize info) are still visible, but the entry form and entry methods are hidden.
Common Country Combinations
| Region | Countries to Enter |
|---|---|
| North America | United States, Canada, Mexico |
| English-speaking | United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland |
| European Union | Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Greece, Poland (and others) |
| Scandinavia | Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland |
| DACH region | Germany, Austria, Switzerland |
| Latin America | Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru |
| Asia Pacific | Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore |
How Geo-Location Works
SweepWidget determines a user’s location based on their IP address. Here’s what you should know:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Detection method | IP address geolocation |
| Accuracy | Generally accurate at the country level |
| VPN users | May appear from a different country if using VPN |
| Check timing | Location is checked when the widget loads |
Use Cases
| Scenario | Recommended Countries |
|---|---|
| US-only sweepstakes | United States |
| Amazon US gift card | United States (or countries where Amazon US ships) |
| UK product launch | United Kingdom |
| European campaign | List EU member countries |
| Physical prize shipping | Countries you can affordably ship to |
| Service availability | Countries where your service operates |
Legal Considerations
Some countries have strict laws regarding giveaways and sweepstakes:
- Quebec, Canada – Requires registration and fees for contests over certain values
- Belgium – Has restrictions on promotional contests
- Italy – Requires government notification for certain promotions
- Brazil – Requires authorization from SECAP for sweepstakes
Note: Always consult with a legal professional to ensure your giveaway complies with local laws in your target regions.
Combining with Other Security Settings
Geo-targeting is located in the Security Settings tab alongside other protection features:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Anti-spam settings | Choose protection level (Weak, Standard, Strong, Strict) |
| Geo-location | Restrict entries by country |
| Email verification | Require users to verify their email |
| Block disposable emails | Prevent temporary email addresses |
Best Practices
- Clearly state eligibility – Mention country restrictions in your giveaway rules
- Use full country names – Avoid abbreviations to ensure proper matching
- Test from restricted regions – Use a VPN to verify the blocking message appears
- Consider your audience – Only restrict if legally or logistically necessary
- Update your rules – Include geographic eligibility in your official rules
- Double-check spelling – Misspelled country names won’t match correctly
Troubleshooting
Users from allowed countries being blocked
- Check that the country name is spelled correctly
- Ensure you’re using commas to separate multiple countries
- The user may be using a VPN that shows a different location
Users from restricted countries getting through
- They may be using a VPN to appear from an allowed country
- Consider combining with other verification methods
Notes
- Geo-targeting uses IP-based detection, which is generally reliable but not 100% foolproof
- Users with VPNs may bypass geographic restrictions
- The restriction applies at entry time – you can still see which countries your entries came from in your analytics
- You can change country restrictions at any time, even after the giveaway starts