How to Find and Win Instagram Competitions: 6 Proven Tips
Instagram competitions are one of the easiest ways to win free prizes online, but most people approach them the wrong way.
If you want to improve your chances of winning Insta giveaways, it comes down to strategy, consistency, and knowing where to focus your time.
Our guide breaks down exactly how to find Instagram competitions and how to win them more often.
1. Choose Instagram competitions with better odds
If you’re serious about winning Instagram giveaways, the first step is choosing the right ones. High-profile competitions with thousands of comments may look appealing, but they offer very low odds compared to smaller, less visible giveaways.
To improve your chances:
- Focus on UK Instagram competitions and local giveaways.
- Enter competitions run by smaller brands or independent businesses.
- Prioritise creative or effort-based giveaways, such as photo or video entries.
These types of Instagram competitions typically attract fewer entrants, which gives you a much stronger chance of winning.
2. Train Instagram to show you more giveaways
One of the most effective Instagram comping tips is to let the algorithm work for you. Instagram will show you more competitions if you regularly engage with them.
To do this, start:
- Liking, saving, and commenting on Instagram giveaways.
- Following accounts that frequently post competitions.
- Interacting with giveaway posts consistently.
Over time, your Instagram feed and Explore page will naturally fill with more relevant competitions, making it easier to find new giveaways without searching constantly.
3. Use search to find Instagram giveaways faster
If you rely only on your feed, you’ll miss a large number of active competitions. Searching is one of the best ways to find Instagram giveaways with fewer entries.
Try:
- Hashtags such as #ukgiveaway, #instagramcompetition, or niche prize tags.
- Searching “win” plus a product or location.
- Using Google with queries like:
site:instagram.com win skincare UK
This approach helps you discover newer Instagram competitions before they become overcrowded.
4. Follow the rules and improve your entries
A key part of learning how to win Instagram competitions is simply entering them correctly. Many participants are disqualified because they miss basic instructions.
Always double-check that you:
- Follow all required accounts.
- Tag the correct number of people.
- Include any required hashtags.
Beyond that, consider how your entry looks. In many Instagram giveaways, winners are chosen manually, so adding a thoughtful or original comment can increase your chances of being picked.
5. Use the community to optimise your profile
The Instagram competition community can be a valuable resource for finding more giveaways. Following other competitors and checking their Stories often leads to comps you might not discover on your own.
It’s also a good idea to have a ‘comping buddy’ or group, so as not to annoy your less-interested followers with your endless tagging! You will also avoid the awkwardness of involving your non-freebie finding friends.
You could even join the Magic Freebies Facebook Group, to find more comps and like-minded people.
At the same time, your profile matters when brands choose winners. To improve your chances:
- Keep your Instagram account public.
- Use a clear profile photo and bio.
- Post some normal content alongside competition entries.
Brands running Instagram competitions are more likely to select winners who appear genuine and engaged.
6. Stay consistent and don’t miss winning notifications
Consistency is one of the most important factors in Instagram comping. The more competitions you enter, the higher your overall chances of winning.
To stay organised:
- Enter Instagram giveaways regularly, even for a few minutes each day
- Save competitions and return to them later
- Check notifications, comments, and message requests frequently
Many winners are announced via Instagram Stories or comment replies, so staying alert ensures you don’t miss a prize.
Final thoughts
If you want to win more competitions, focus on quality over quantity, enter consistently, and target giveaways with better odds.
With the right approach, Instagram comping can become a reliable way to win free prizes online.
There are lots of comps out there, you just need to know where to find them.