When planning an Instagram giveaway, timing matters just as much as the prize and entry requirements. Should you launch on a weekday or over the weekend? And when should you announce the winner?
There is no single day that works for every account. However, Simpliers giveaway data can help you make a more informed decision about your campaign’s start date and winner announcement.
What Is the Best Day for an Instagram Giveaway?
According to Simpliers Giveaway Trends, giveaways with winners drawn on Mondays received 17% more entries than those drawn on Saturdays. This comparison is based on the median entry count for real giveaways completed in 2025 across all platforms.
💡 One important detail: Simpliers records giveaways by the day the winner is selected, rather than the day the campaign launches.
👉🏻 This does not mean you should always start your giveaway on a Monday. Instead, Monday is an option to consider when planning your winner selection and announcement. The data shows an association, rather than a guarantee that choosing Monday will increase entries.
Which Day Should You Launch Your Giveaway?
Your launch date should depend on how long the campaign will run and when your audience is likely to see it.
For example:
For a 3–4-day giveaway, you could launch on Thursday or Friday and select the winner on Monday.
For a 7-day giveaway, you could launch on a Monday and select the winner the following Monday.
For a seasonal campaign, work backward from your planned announcement date so followers have enough time to discover the prize and enter.
The goal is to give people enough time to participate and leave room for reminders.
If your audience spans several countries, include the exact closing time and time zone in your caption. A deadline such as “Monday at 6 p.m. ET” is clearer than “ends Monday.”
Weekdays or Weekends?
A weekend launch can fit your campaign, but it should not be based solely on the assumption that everyone has more time to browse Instagram.
Consider your audience’s routine. When do your posts usually attract responses? Will you have time to promote the giveaway through Stories? Can you share a reminder before entries close?
You can also run a campaign across both weekdays and the weekend. A Thursday-to-Monday schedule, for example, gives followers several opportunities to discover the post.
👉🏻 Use the Monday finding as a starting point for testing, then compare the results of your own campaigns.
Should You Run Giveaways Around Holidays and Special Occasions?
Occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and the year-end holiday season can provide a clear theme for your prize and campaign.
However, these dates also attract more competing giveaways. The worldwide view of Simpliers Instagram Giveaway Trends shows:
2.6 times as many giveaways finalized on Valentine’s Day.
2 times as many finalized on Halloween.
1.7 times as many finalized on December 31.
These figures compare activity on each date with the average of the three weeks around it. They measure giveaway volume, rather than an increase in entries or a campaign’s chances of success.
A holiday theme can help make your giveaway relevant, but your prize and campaign idea still need to stand out.
If the busiest date feels too crowded, consider selecting your winner a few days earlier or later. For example, a holiday gift giveaway could finish early enough for the winner to receive the prize before the celebration.
Which Month Should You Run a Instagram Giveaway?
Giveaway activity changes throughout the year. In the current worldwide Instagram data from Simpliers, December is the busiest month, while November is the quietest. This describes the number of giveaways completed, rather than which month delivers the best results.
💡 A busy month may offer a relevant seasonal theme, but it also means more competing campaigns. A quieter month may give you an opportunity to stand out.
Your own market matters, too. Holiday calendars, shopping seasons, and audience routines vary between countries.
👉🏻 Explore Simpliers Giveaway Trends by country and platform before choosing a date for your campaign.
Final Thoughts
There is no universal “best day” for an Instagram giveaway. To build a practical schedule:
Launch when your target audience is likely to notice the post.
Allow enough time for people to enter and see reminders.
Consider Monday as a possible winner selection day.
Account for competing campaigns around major holidays.
Clearly state your entry deadline, time zone, and winner announcement date.
👉🏻 Your prize, entry requirements, and promotion can matter much more than the day of the week.
✅ With Simpliers, you can select the winners of your Instagram giveaways in seconds, with transparent and verifiable results.
👉🏻 Read our step-by-step guide to creating an Instagram giveaway post!
