How long should a giveaway run?

Updated 12 November 2026 · By the Vast team

For most giveaways, one to two weeks: long enough for people to hear about it, short enough to feel urgent. Run a stream or flash giveaway for 24 hours to 3 days, and a pre-launch wishlist or list-growth giveaway for 2 to 4 weeks, ending a few days before the moment it supports. Whatever you pick, put the end date, time and time zone in your rules, and keep to it once people have entered.

These are our rules of thumb, not platform rules, and Vast is our product, so weigh that where we describe it. We read Vast's launch flow, editor and draw code, and Valve's Steam Keys documentation, on November 11, 2026.

What decides how long a giveaway should run?

Four things, roughly in this order:

A long giveaway needs reminders. If you can't post about it every few days, run it shorter.

How long should a giveaway run for each goal?

GoalRun it forEnd itWhy
Stream eventThe stream, up to 24 hoursBefore your next streamViewers act while they're watching
Flash drop on X or Discord24 hours to 3 daysOn a day you're around to answer questionsUrgency does the work
Discord server growth1 to 2 weeksBefore a server event new members can joinWord of mouth needs a few days
Email list growth2 to 4 weeksBefore your next newsletter goes outShares and mentions need time
Steam wishlists before launch2 to 4 weeksA few days before launchTime to check winners and send keys
Monthly community giveawayAbout 1 weekThe same day each monthRegulars learn the rhythm

For a Discord giveaway, our guide to growing a Discord server with giveaways covers what new members should find when they arrive. For lists, see growing an email list with giveaways.

How should you time a giveaway around a game launch?

Run the wishlist giveaway before launch and end it before launch day, so you can draw, check the winners and send keys in time. Our Steam wishlists guide explains why wishlists before release matter.

Plan the keys early. Valve's Steam Keys documentation says "Developers launching their first game on Steam must wait three weeks after the creation of an AppID before they can request Steam keys." It also says keys "shouldn't be given away for free" unless Steam customers get the same deal, except in a giveaway that is "very small (under 100 Steam Keys)." Our Steam key giveaway guide covers the rest.

A simple launch calendar:

  1. Three to four weeks out: the giveaway goes live, with a wishlist as the action worth the most entries.
  2. Every few days: remind people, with a new screenshot or clip each time.
  3. A few days before launch: the giveaway ends and winners are drawn.
  4. Before launch day: check winners, contact them privately and have keys ready.
  5. Launch day: announce the winners where people entered, beside the launch post.

What does Vast let you set?

Vast is our product, so weigh this section as a vendor's description.

Vast's plans don't limit how long a giveaway runs. The free plan's limit is one giveaway a month, and drafts count toward it.

When the end date passes, Vast draws the winners at random, and actions worth more entries improve a player's odds. The giveaway page then says winners are announced soon. You review the winners and choose Publish winners, and the page lists them. Our guide to announcing a giveaway winner covers that step.

The official rules Vast drafts state the entry period with your dates and time zone. They also say winners will be selected within a number of days of the end (the rules editor calls it "Winners will be contacted within") and must claim within a number of days. Both are 7 unless you change them in the rules editor.

Can a longer giveaway keep people coming back?

Yes, if people have a reason to return. On Vast, an action in the advanced editor can be set to Daily entry, which resets it every day so players can do it again for more entries. A daily visit to a link, such as your store page or devlog, fits a run of two weeks or more. Keep every daily action free, so coming back costs nothing.

Should you extend a giveaway or end it early?

Avoid both. Your rules tell people when the giveaway ends, and they entered on that basis. If you must change the date, say so where people entered, explain why, and update the rules first. Never end early because the entries look good, and never extend a giveaway to wait for a particular person to win.

Prize promotion laws vary by country. This isn't legal advice; check with a lawyer for your country and prize.

Start a giveaway on Vast in two steps: pick 24 hours, 3 days or 7 days, and the official rules state your dates. Start a giveaway

FAQ

What is the best length for a giveaway?

One to two weeks suits most giveaways. Go shorter for a stream or flash drop, and longer, up to about four weeks, for a pre-launch wishlist push or list growth.

How long should a Twitch or Kick giveaway run?

For a draw in chat, the length of the stream. For a giveaway page you share on stream, about a week, so viewers who miss one stream can still enter.

Can I schedule a giveaway to start later on Vast?

Yes. In the advanced editor's When it runs step, pick a start date in the future. The giveaway is scheduled and goes live then.

What's the longest giveaway Vast allows?

Vast's plans don't limit how long a giveaway runs. An AI agent can set an end date up to 365 days after the start.

When are winners picked on Vast?

When the giveaway ends. Vast draws them at random, you review them, and they show on the giveaway page once you choose Publish winners.

Sources

More guides