The conditions that rule out contest promotion

Which contest conditions put promotion outside our scope?

We decline a project when the requested promotion conflicts with contest rules or asks us to use methods we do not provide. The first check is the contest’s own terms, followed by the project type and the proposed way of seeking support.

These boundaries apply across contest formats. A community poll, creative competition or business award still needs to meet the same basic conditions. Our contest marketing overview describes the work that can fit; the rules and risk check can help you identify questions to resolve before planning channels.

How do the contest terms affect an outside promotion plan?

The written terms are the starting evidence for deciding whether we can help. Look for instructions about sharing an entry, soliciting support, paid advertising, canvassing, and promotion through channels outside the organizer’s own accounts.

A restriction on paid ads is not automatically the same as a ban on every kind of sharing. If personal sharing appears to be allowed, we can assess whether a narrower, consent-based plan fits the wording. If the terms are silent or ambiguous, ask the organizer a precise question and keep its reply. Useful points to clarify include:

• Which channels entrants may use to share an entry.
• Whether paid placement is prohibited or simply not mentioned.
• Whether the restriction applies throughout the contest or only during a particular stage.
• Whether supporters may share a link without being asked to vote.

We do not treat other entrants’ behavior as permission. When the text leaves room for interpretation, our contest rules and risk consulting can help you prepare a focused question. We reconsider the project if the organizer provides a clear written answer that changes what the rules permit.

What changes for political campaigns, gambling and youth entries?

Project category and participant consent can each stop a promotion plan, even when the contest itself appears straightforward. We decline political campaigns, lotteries and gambling projects rather than try to adapt our contest service to them.

For an entry involving a minor, a parent or guardian must agree to both participation and the proposed promotion. Before asking us to review a youth project, prepare confirmation of consent and identify which images or video may be used, where they may appear, and who has permission to share them. The organizer must also allow entrants or families to promote the entry. See the guidance for beauty, kids, pets and school contests for the specific context.

We do not sell votes, followers or engagement, and we never use bots, scripts, fake accounts or click farms. We decline requests for purchased votes or automated voting, including when someone says the contest organizer would not object. Our no-bots policy explains the distinction between honest promotion and attempts to bypass voting rules.

What should you send for a clear decision?

Send the materials that let us compare your intended promotion with the actual contest conditions. A concise project pack helps us give you a specific answer instead of guessing from a description.

Include:

• The contest page and the full rules, including any updates.
• Your entry link, or a note about when it will be available.
• The closing date and the channels you hope to use.
• Any organizer reply about sharing, advertising or asking for support.
• For a youth entry, confirmation that a parent or guardian has agreed to the entry and promotion.

We identify the relevant rule or project boundary and tell you whether there is a workable route to consider. If the request is declined, we explain the reason and any information that could change the assessment. A rule-permitted project may still face organizer decisions or platform ad review: we can control the agreed work and provide reporting, but cannot promise a contest win, a vote total or acceptance by either party.

Start with the free contest analysis. Send the contest link, rules and entry details; we will review those materials and tell you the next practical step.