How to Legally Run Giveaways on Social Media For Your Health and Wellness Business

Running a giveaway can be a fantastic way for your health and wellness brand to build excitement, grow your audience, and spread your message. But without following the right legal steps, that fun and engagement can lead to unexpected (legal!) issues.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to run a legally sound giveaway on social media like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, so you can confidently promote your brand and protect your business!

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1. What is a social media giveaway?

A social media giveaway is essentially a chance for your followers to win a free product or service, typically in exchange for completing a few actions, like following your page, liking a post, or tagging a friend.

They’re popular across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok because they create a ton of engagement and drive new people to your brand.

A well-run giveaway gets people talking about your brand, increases your reach, and gives followers a fun reason to interact with your content.

2. Benefits of running a social media giveaways in the wellness space

A well-planned giveaway can do wonders for your brand's visibility! Imagine creating buzz, getting your products and services in front of fresh eyes, and having people practically lining up to interact with your page.

Here’s why wellness giveaways are a must-have in your marketing toolkit:

Boost Brand Awareness: A wellness giveaway grabs attention fast! People are more likely to share, tag friends, and spread the word when there’s something to win. It’s a win-win—you reach a bigger audience, and they get a shot at something valuable for their wellness journey.
Drive Engagement: Wellness-focused audiences love interacting with brands that align with their health goals. Giveaways invite people to engage with your posts, follow your page, and maybe even stick around long after the prize is gone. And let’s be honest—more engagement means a stronger, more vibrant community.
Build Trust and Credibility: In the wellness world, trust is everything. A giveaway shows that you’re confident in your products or services and willing to let people experience them. It’s an easy way to build credibility and show potential customers that you’re the real deal.

3. Wellness giveaway 101: The legal rules you can’t ignore!

As a wellness brand, you’re dealing with products or services that directly impact health, so you’ve got to be careful about what you say and how you handle participant data. Here’s what to watch out for:

Mind Your Product Claims

Got a product that “transforms,” “heals,” or “cures”? Awesome! But, unless your offerings are FDA-approved, those words can be a no-go. Wellness brands need to be super cautious with health claims, especially in a giveaway. You want to hype up your offerings without overpromising or making statements that might cross the line into medical claims. Stick to words like “supports,” “helps with,” or “promotes” to avoid any legal drama and show that you’re responsible with your messaging.

Transparency is Key

People want to know exactly what they’re getting, how they’re entering, and any restrictions or conditions that apply. This means being upfront and transparent about all the details—think entry requirements, eligibility, prize specifics, and how the winner will be selected. Lay it all out so that there’s zero confusion. Clear, honest details not only keep you compliant but also help build trust with your audience.

Privacy Policy Compliance

Running a giveaway often means collecting personal data—like names, emails, and sometimes even addresses. But with great data comes great responsibility! Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook have strict privacy requirements, so it’s crucial to handle participants’ information with care and transparency.

How to Stay Compliant:

Make sure your privacy policy covers what data you collect, how it’s stored, and how it’s used.
Let participants know if you’ll be using their data beyond the giveaway itself (e.g., for email marketing, and if this is the case make sure you receive their explicit consent to be added to your email list).

Handling personal data responsibly not only keeps you compliant but also builds trust with your audience, making them more likely to participate and engage.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions are the backbone of any legal giveaway—they’re what keep things fair, clear, and legally protected. A detailed set of terms lays out the “who, what, when, where, and how” of your giveaway, ensuring everyone knows exactly what to expect.

Key Components to Include:

Eligibility: Who can enter? Specify age, location, or any other restrictions.
Entry Requirements: What actions must participants take to enter? Be clear and keep it simple.
Prize Details: Describe the prize(s) and any limitations or exclusions.
Winner Selection and Notification: Explain how and when winners will be chosen and notified.
Claim Process: Outline the steps for claiming the prize, including deadlines.

Without clear terms, you could face misunderstandings or disputes.

4. Platform-specific guidelines and disclaimers

Each social media platform has its own set of rules for running giveaways, and it’s essential to know them before you start. Following these guidelines not only keeps your giveaway compliant but also helps you maintain a smooth, hassle-free experience for participants.

Here’s a quick rundown on what you need to know for Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Instagram Giveaway: Don’t Forget the Disclaimer!

Instagram loves giveaways but has one big rule—make it clear they’re not involved! You need to include a disclaimer stating that Instagram is not affiliated with or endorsing the giveaway. This protects both you and Instagram from any responsibility. Here’s an example of the language you can use:

“This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram, nor is Instagram associated with this giveaway in any way. By entering this giveaway, you confirm that you release Instagram from any and all liability related to giveaway and agree to Instagram’s terms of use and community guidelines.”

Following this rule is a simple way to keep your giveaway in line with Instagram’s policies.

Facebook: No “Shares” or “Tags” as Entry Requirements

Facebook is a bit more hands-on with its rules for giveaways, especially when it comes to entry requirements. You cannot ask participants to “share” the post on their timeline, tag friends, or use their personal timelines to promote your giveaway. Instead, focus on entries like commenting, reacting, or following your page.

Pro tip: Keep entry requirements simple to avoid any issues and maintain a friendly vibe on your post!

TikTok: Follow Advertising Policies and Avoid Implying Sponsorship

On TikTok, things are all about transparency. Any giveaway promotion must comply with TikTok’s Advertising Policies, which means you need to be clear and upfront. Avoid language that suggests TikTok is sponsoring or endorsing your giveaway. Instead, make sure it’s obvious that you, the brand, are solely responsible for the giveaway.

TikTok’s policies also discourage misleading claims, so keep your prize descriptions and requirements straightforward to build trust and engagement.

5. Step-by-step guide on how to set up a legally compliant giveaway

Ready to set up a giveaway that’s fun, engaging, and totally legal? Follow these steps to make sure you’re covering all the legal bases and keeping your giveaway hassle-free!

Step 1: Define Your Giveaway Rules and Eligibility

First things first: Who can enter? Specify eligibility requirements like age (e.g., 18+), location (U.S. residents only, for example), and any other restrictions. If your giveaway includes prizes that can’t be shipped internationally or have age limitations (like wellness supplements), make sure to spell that out clearly.

Pro tip: Always double-check shipping restrictions if you’re mailing items, as some products might have legal limitations in certain countries.

To ensure you are protecting rights of minors, you can include a statement such as this to confirm that minors are not entering your giveaway without parental permission: “By entering this giveaway, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age at the time of entry or have obtained parental consent to submit your entry.”

Step 2: Outline Your Entry Requirements

Keep your entry requirements clear and easy to follow. Good options include asking participants to “like,” “comment,” or “follow” on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. These simple actions are compliant with most platform rules and get people engaged.

Avoid asking for entries that could break the rules or laws, like requiring a purchase (which could turn your giveaway into a lottery) or asking for certain types of shares or tags that platforms restrict.

Step 3: Detail the Prize and Value

Let’s get to the good stuff: the prize! Clearly list what the winner will receive, and include an estimated value. It’s also smart to give a straightforward description so participants know exactly what to expect—no one likes surprises when it comes to prizes!

Example: “Win a 3-month coaching package with me valued at $1,000!”

Being transparent about the prize not only builds excitement but also helps you avoid any confusion or complaints down the line.

If your giveaway prize features a product or service from another brand, also be sure to make it clear that you will be providing that product or service as part of a giveaway and that it is not sponsored or contributed by the brand itself, unless that is the case for your specific giveaway.

Step 4: Describe the Winner Selection and Notification Process

Be upfront about how you’ll choose the winner. Will it be a random draw? A group decision? Make it clear, and stick to it! Also, outline how you’ll notify the winner—whether it’s through a direct message, email, or a public announcement.

Backup plan: Mention a time limit for the winner to respond (e.g., “Winner must respond within 48 hours”). If they don’t respond, let participants know you’ll select an alternate winner.

Step 5: Write and Display the Terms and Conditions

Now, make it official! Write out your terms and conditions, covering all the rules, eligibility requirements, prize details, and how to claim. Display the terms in a way that’s easy to find—whether on a dedicated webpage, as a link in your social media bio, or as a pinned comment on the giveaway post.

Having these details in writing gives your giveaway a polished, professional look and ensures everyone knows the rules from the start.

Step 6: Post the Required Disclaimers and Hashtags

Wrap things up by adding the necessary disclaimers and hashtags to keep everything above board. Use platform-specific disclaimers like “This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by [Platform Name]” to avoid any confusion. See our more detailed Instagram disclaimer above if you are utilizing Instagram for your giveaway!

Also, don’t forget legal hashtags like #Giveaway or #Contest to clearly label your post.

These simple steps help make your giveaway compliant, transparent, and easier for participants to trust.

Resources: Take a Look At The Dotted Lines Contract Template Shop

6. Additional legal insights for social media giveaways

Intellectual Property Considerations

Use only original content, images, and branding to avoid copyright issues. If asking participants to submit photos or videos, make sure they have the rights to their content.

Handling Tax Implications

High-value prizes may require tax reporting, and winners could be responsible for declaring prize values on their taxes. When in doubt, consult a tax or legal professional in your area.

Avoiding “Lottery” Status and Local Compliance

A giveaway becomes a lottery if it requires a purchase to enter—avoid this by keeping entries free. Always check local laws, especially for international giveaways, to ensure compliance.

Privacy Policy Template: If collecting participant info, a Privacy Policy template ensures compliance with data privacy regulations—essential for any giveaway.

Ready to run your social media giveaway (legally)?

Running a giveaway can boost your brand, engage your audience, and attract new clients—if it’s done right. Following legal guidelines helps you avoid risks, build trust, and keep your brand safe.

By setting clear rules, respecting privacy, and staying compliant with platform policies, you’ll create a giveaway experience that’s both exciting and professional. Get ready to boost your reach and grow your business with confidence, knowing you’ve covered all the bases!

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