X (Twitter) Giveaway &
Contest Tool
6 free X/Twitter entry methods. Follow, Post, Repost, viral refer-a-friend sharing, and automated winner picking. Over 161,000 Twitter/X entries were completed through SweepWidget last year.
X Entry Methods
SweepWidget offers both the current X-branded methods and the legacy Twitter versions. They work the same way. Pick whichever matches your audience's expectations.
X (Current Branding)
The core growth action. Entrants follow your X account to earn points. Optional verification confirms the follow before awarding credit.
Pre-fill a post that entrants publish to their own feed. Daily re-entry means they can post (and earn points) every day of the giveaway. Great for recurring promotions.
Entrants repost a specific post you choose. Each repost puts your content in front of that person's followers. The fastest way to spread a giveaway announcement on X.
Twitter (Legacy Branding)
Same functionality as the X methods above, plus two Pro-tier methods that use Twitter OAuth for API-verified entries.
Identical to the X-branded versions. Uses the classic Twitter bird icon and terminology. Some brands and audiences still prefer this branding.
All 6 entry methods are free. X Follow, Post, and Repost plus Twitter Follow, Tweet, and Retweet are all available on the free plan with unlimited entries.
Every giveaway also supports refer-a-friend viral sharing, email capture, and entry methods from 30+ other platforms. Grow your X following, YouTube subscribers, email list, and more from a single contest.
X Giveaway Strategies That Work
X is built for real-time, public conversations. These strategies take advantage of that by turning every entry into something other people can see.
Repost Amplification
Best for: Maximum reach in the shortest time
Reposts are the single fastest way to spread content on X. Every repost shows your giveaway post to that person's entire follower count. Weight the Repost action highest so it's the most attractive option. If 500 people repost and each has 200 followers, that's 100,000 potential impressions from one entry method.
Quote-Post Contest
Best for: Driving conversation and engagement around your brand
Use the Post entry method with daily re-entry. Pre-fill the post text with your giveaway URL or prompt, but let entrants add their own commentary. This creates genuine conversation around your brand. With daily re-entry enabled, participants can post new content every day, keeping the momentum going. Switch the winner selection to leaderboard mode if you want to reward the most active participants instead of picking randomly. Leaderboard giveaways drive 3.3x more actions per user compared to standard random draws.
Twitter vs. X: What Actually Changed for Giveaways?
The rebrand from Twitter to X happened, but most of the mechanics that matter for giveaways stayed the same. Here's a practical breakdown of what's different and what isn't.
| Area | Twitter Era | X (Now) |
|---|---|---|
| Terminology | Tweets, Retweets, Followers | Posts, Reposts, Followers (same concept, different words) |
| Giveaway mechanics | Follow, Tweet, Retweet to enter | Identical. Follow, Post, Repost to enter. Same actions, same results. |
| API access | Free API tier available for basic read/write | API tiers restructured with paid plans. SweepWidget handles this for you. |
| Organic reach | Reverse-chronological feed was standard | Algorithmic "For You" feed is default. Reposts and engagement signals matter more for visibility. |
| Verification | Blue check was invite-only, trust signal | Blue check is subscription-based (X Premium). Posts from verified accounts get boosted in replies. |
| Post length | 280 characters for everyone | 280 characters free, up to 25,000 for X Premium subscribers |
| Search behavior | People searched "twitter giveaway" | People still search "twitter giveaway." SEO-wise, nothing changed. SweepWidget supports both brands. |
Bottom line: If you ran giveaways on Twitter, running them on X is the same process. SweepWidget gives you both sets of entry methods so you can match your branding to whatever your audience expects. The algorithmic feed shift means reposts and engagement signals are more valuable than before, which actually makes giveaway content more likely to surface in the "For You" tab.
X (Twitter) Giveaway Rules
X allows promotions, but their guidelines include specific rules about how contests and sweepstakes should be run on the platform. Here's what you need to follow.
Platform Requirements
- Post official rules that include eligibility criteria, entry methods, prize details, winner selection process, and dates.
- Include a disclaimer: "This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with, X."
- Do not encourage users to create multiple accounts to enter. X's rules prohibit duplicate accounts, and you can be held responsible for encouraging this.
- Do not encourage users to post the same content repeatedly. X treats this as spam and may restrict their accounts.
- Include "no purchase necessary" language with a free alternate entry method.
Sweepstakes vs. Contest on X
Sweepstakes (Random Draw)
Winner is chosen randomly. Entry must be free (no purchase required). In SweepWidget, use the random winner picker. This is the most common format on X.
Contest (Skill-Based)
Winner is judged on merit (best post, most creative response, highest leaderboard score). Different legal treatment in many states. Use leaderboard mode in SweepWidget to rank by points.
Disclosure Requirements
FTC disclosure: If your giveaway involves influencers or brand partnerships, all promotional posts must include clear disclosure (e.g., #ad, #sponsored, or #giveaway). This applies to both the brand and any influencers promoting the contest.
$5,000 threshold: In the U.S., if your total prize pool exceeds $5,000, you may need to register in New York, Florida, and Rhode Island, or exclude residents of those states in your rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do X (Twitter) giveaways work with SweepWidget?
You create a giveaway in SweepWidget, add X/Twitter entry methods (Follow, Post, Repost), set point values for each action, and publish. Participants enter through an embeddable widget on your site or a hosted landing page. They complete actions on X to earn points, and you pick a winner randomly or by leaderboard ranking when the contest ends.
How do you pick a giveaway winner on X (Twitter)?
SweepWidget has a built-in random winner picker that weights selections by entry points. You can also manually select a winner or use leaderboard mode to award whoever earned the most points. Many brands announce winners with a public post on X for transparency.
Are giveaways allowed on X (Twitter)?
Yes. X allows promotions including giveaways and contests. You need to follow their contest guidelines, which include posting official rules, not encouraging multiple accounts, and not encouraging repetitive posting. See the rules section above for the full checklist.
Should I use "X" or "Twitter" branding for my giveaway?
It depends on your audience. Most people still search for "twitter giveaway," and many users still call it Twitter. SweepWidget offers both X-branded and Twitter-branded entry methods that work identically. You can use whichever matches your brand's preference. If your audience skews younger or more tech-savvy, X branding may feel more current.
How long should an X (Twitter) giveaway last?
Based on SweepWidget data across 70,000+ giveaways, 8-14 days is the sweet spot, averaging 956 entrants. X moves fast, so shorter giveaways (4-7 days) also work well if you want to create urgency. They average 525 entrants and maintain high daily engagement.
Can I run an X (Twitter) giveaway for free?
Yes. SweepWidget's free plan includes unlimited entries and all 6 X/Twitter entry methods: Follow, Post (with daily re-entry), and Repost under both X and legacy Twitter branding. No Pro plan required.
Can I combine X entry methods with other platforms?
Yes. Every SweepWidget giveaway supports entry methods from 30+ platforms simultaneously. You can combine X Follow, Instagram Follow, YouTube Subscribe, email signup, and refer-a-friend all in one contest. Giveaways using 6 or more entry methods average 823 entrants compared to 163 for single-method contests.
Ready to Launch Your X Giveaway?
Create a free account and have your first giveaway live in minutes. All X entry methods are on the free plan. No credit card required.
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