Blog Giveaway Laws: Are Your Blog Giveaways Illegal?
Do you know enough about blog giveaway laws? If you’re a blogger that does giveaways, you really should make sure you understand them.
I love doing giveaways on my blog. Since I own a business, my giveaways are a great way to introduce my brand and products. Plus, I love the thrill it gives my readers!
But since I started my giveaways I’ve done some reading regarding the blog giveaway laws and rules. We’ve all heard about disclosure when we’re given products to review, right? Well, there are laws regarding giveaways as well, and judging from the number of infringing blogs I’ve seen (including mine!), I think we need to get the word out!
Blog Giveaway Laws: Understanding the Types of Giveaways
In the US, there are three types of “giveaways”:
- Sweepstakes – winners are chosen by luck of the draw. (This is usually the type of “giveaways” blogs do.)
- Contests – winner is chosen based on some merit or skill. Examples include photo contests, essay contests, etc..
- Lottery – prize drawing where people have to pay money to enter.
Things get a bit more complicated when you open your giveaways to Canada and other countries. Canadian law states that they cannot enter any sweepstakes (luck of the draw). There must be an element of skill displayed. And yes – if you are a US blog you must comply by Canadian laws if you want to include your Canadian readers.
This is why I don’t include Canadian readers in most of my giveaways. Sorry, guys! I think you’re awesome, really I do!
There is much more involved, and I urge you to read this very informative article by Social Media Examiner. It lays out the laws pretty clearly.
Bottom line – be mindful of your giveaways and try to play by the rules. While many people get away with not following them, they’re taking a risk.
Tell me – do you run giveaways on your blog? Are you concerned about the blog giveaway laws and how they affect you?
Written by Jennifer Colgan
I've got 3 kids (under 7) & I run my own business from home. Yep, I'm busy! I'm sharing my lessons learned & fun finds that will make YOUR busy life easier.
Regina:
September 24th, 2012 at 8:30 AM
Thank you for the enlightening information. I do run giveaways or participate in giveaways.
Regina recently posted..Share your Thrifty-ness Tips
Jim
Twitter: Jiminkansas
:
September 24th, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Thanks for the information. I have a monthly giveaway to the first 25 people to subscribe to my blog carnival. I have given memorabilia items to people all over the world. Never thought that there could be laws against it.
Suzi Satterfield (
Twitter: MotherhoodLooms
:
September 24th, 2012 at 10:27 AM
The good news is, for the Canadian skill test, all you need to do is include a math problem. No lie, that’s how companies get around it here.
Suzi Satterfield ( recently posted..The Irony of Child Safety Month
another jennifer
Twitter: anotherjenb
:
September 24th, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Yikes. Thanks for sharing this. I don’t do too many giveaways, but this is important info to know. I will be bookmarking the article.
another jennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: The Vote for Someone’s Dream Challenge
Deborah Berthiaume:
September 24th, 2012 at 3:29 PM
Thanks for this important information. I am new to blogging and am learning so much from those who have been at it for a while. We all learn by helping each other.
Kelsey Apley:
September 24th, 2012 at 5:08 PM
wow seems like we are always finding out new things that we need to or not to do! I didn’t know this. Thanks for sharing, most of mine are US only but I have had a few with Canada and I sadly didn’t know about this so I did luck of drawl like always.
Kelsey Apley recently posted..Join in The Strength of 1 Fight Against Breast Cancer Campaign and Get $1 Off Freschetta Pizza!
Kizzy:
September 24th, 2012 at 5:10 PM
Thanks for raising this, I will have to check and see what the laws are in the UK too!
Kizzy recently posted..Goals – do you set them?
Pam:
September 24th, 2012 at 5:41 PM
Thank you for sharing this information! I appreciated the article. I hadn’t known or thought of the differences one might encounter between regulating giveaways between different countries or the importance of proper wording.
PragmaticMom
Twitter: PragmaticMom
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September 24th, 2012 at 8:12 PM
I had no idea! Thanks for such helpful info. I better rethink my giveaways!
PragmaticMom recently posted..How to Be the Perfect Volunteer Parent Coach
Jennifer
Twitter: katies_charms
:
September 26th, 2012 at 1:20 PM
You’re welcome!
Jennifer
Twitter: katies_charms
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September 26th, 2012 at 1:21 PM
I know, and honestly, I don’t know how much they are “cracking down” on blogger giveaways. But it never hurts to know the laws, right?
Jennifer
Twitter: katies_charms
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September 28th, 2012 at 9:53 PM
You know, I read that somewhere – so that’s really true? Huh…
Jennifer
Twitter: katies_charms
:
September 28th, 2012 at 9:54 PM
It’s always good to be careful, and to know the rules as best we can.
Jennifer
Twitter: katies_charms
:
September 28th, 2012 at 9:54 PM
Exactly! I find so much information from other blogs! Welcome to the blogging community!
Jennifer
Twitter: katies_charms
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September 28th, 2012 at 9:55 PM
I don’t think most of us are in any real danger, we just need to be careful and know what the rules are…
Martha
Twitter: QCPChic
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October 4th, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Whew, thanks so much for posting this! I’m getting ready to do giveaways on my blog and I had no idea about the Canada rule, among other things. Always better to be safe than sorry!
Martha recently posted..Beautiful products that support breast cancer charities!
Jennifer
Twitter: katies_charms
:
October 5th, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Someone told me that if you put a math problem in the giveaway as one of the entries, then you can open it to Canadian residents!