1.1. Types of sweepstakes in Stories
2.1. Create the sweepstake with Cool Tabs
1. Introduction
The Instagram Sweepstakes app lets you pick winners among users who reply to or mention you in your Instagram Stories. Entries are collected automatically during the period you define.
1.1. Types of Stories sweepstakes
1.1.1. Replies Sweepstake
Runs among users who reply to your Story. Although a Story only lasts 24 hours, you can collect replies for up to 7 days after creating the giveaway in Cool Tabs.
Important: Keep in mind that Instagram only allows Cool Tabs to check the last 50 messages in your inbox. If you receive a lot of DMs (entries, questions, spam, etc.), the oldest ones may fall outside that limit and won't be counted as entries. How to avoid this? Create the giveaway in Cool Tabs right before or immediately after posting your Story. This way, the tool will collect entries as they come in, instead of trying to read them all at once at the end.
1.1.2. Mentions Sweepstake
Runs among users who mention your profile in their own Story. Only mentions made after the giveaway is created are collected, and only from public profiles.
Important: as with replies, create the giveaway right after publishing your Story to make sure every mention is captured.
1.2. Other considerations
A Story "reply" is technically a direct message sent to your inbox.
Instagram's API doesn't allow automatic follower verification. You can still require it as a condition, but you'll need to check manually on the winner's profile.
Cool Tabs can't access or store the image/video of Stories that mention you — only the record that a mention happened. If your giveaway requires specific content (a hashtag, your product, etc.), review mentions in real time from the Leads section and discard entries that don't qualify before drawing winners.
Giveaways aren't allowed on personal profiles — only business profiles.
Business profiles must be linked to a Facebook Page.
Check your permissions in Facebook Business for the profile you'll use: How to add an Instagram account to Facebook Business.
2. Step by step
2.1. Create the sweepstake in Cool Tabs
1) Log in to your Cool Tabs account (or see how to create an account).
2) Create a new campaign with the New campaign button or the Create campaign option in the sidebar. If it's your first time on Cool Tabs, you'll see the app catalog directly.
3) Select the Instagram Sweepstake app.
4) Choose the Stories sweepstake type.
5) Select the Instagram account for the giveaway, or click Add new Instagram profile.
6) To read Story replies, Cool Tabs needs access to your messages (read-only, and only for Story replies). Make sure Access and manage messages is checked, then accept the permissions.
You can check this permission in the Instagram app: Settings & Activity > Messages & Story Replies > Message Controls > Allow access to messages. If a permission is missing, an error screen will prompt you to grant it.
7) Click Continue with @xxxx to link the profile.
8) Fill in the giveaway details:
Sweepstake name: internal name, shown only in your campaign list.
Time zone: for your giveaway.
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Actions to collect:
Replies to your Stories (collected for up to 7 days after creation).
Mentions of your profile in others' Stories (collected only from creation onward).
End date: the date entries stop being collected.
9) Click Save. The giveaway is now live and collecting entries; you'll be able to select winners once the entry period ends.
To review entries, go to the Leads icon.
2.2. Select winners
An active plan (paid or trial) is required to select winners. The free trial gives full, unlimited access to the platform for 7 days.
Learn more about the free trial · Start your free trial
Go to the Winners section (trophy icon) in your campaign list.
2.2.1. Applying filters
Use filters to narrow the pool to eligible participants. Conditions that can't be automated (e.g. following your account) must be checked manually once a winner is drawn. Leave unused filters blank.
One chance per user: counts unique users only, regardless of how many times they commented.
One chance per comment: each comment counts as a separate entry.
Comment includes: require a specific word or phrase (comma-separate multiple options).
Start/end dates: limit which entries count by date.
Exclude previous winners: block past campaign winners from winning again.
Exclude blacklisted users: block users on your blacklist.
Click Step 1: Filter to apply your criteria.
Set the number of winners and alternates, then click Step 2: Launch Sweepstake.
2.3. Winners page and certificate of validity
You'll get a public link with the results and a certificate of validity confirming the draw was random and transparent. Share the link to announce the winners — remember to set the page to public so participants can view it.
2.4. Winners video
You can generate a video announcing the sweepstake title, prizes, and winners/alternates. Publish it via URL or download it for your feed or Stories. More details: Winners video: how to show the result of your sweepstakes.
2.5. Contact the winners
Click the Instagram icon next to a winner's username to open their profile and send them a direct message.
3. Other specifications
Sweepstakes can't run on Story Ads, since users can't reply or react to them.
The Instagram Sweepstakes app is included in every Cool Tabs plan, with no limitations during the free trial.
Questions? Contact us at help@cool-tabs.com.
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