Want to buy Pokémon cards on Whatnot but don't know where to start? You're in…
If you regularly watch live streams on Whatnot, you've probably heard a seller announce a Giveaway. Within seconds, hundreds of viewers join the drawing, hoping to win a free item.
But how do Whatnot Giveaways actually work? Do you need to buy something to enter? Do you really have a chance of winning? And what happens after the giveaway ends?
I took the time to study how Whatnot Giveaways work and review the platform's official rules. In this guide, I'll explain everything you need to know to enter giveaways and improve your chances of winning.
If you're new to Whatnot, I also recommend reading my complete Whatnot review. It'll help you better understand how the platform works.
What Is a Whatnot Giveaway?
A Whatnot Giveaway is a prize draw hosted by a seller during a live stream.
The idea is simple: the seller gives away one or more items for free to a randomly selected participant.
Prizes can include:
- Pokémon cards;
- sports cards;
- action figures;
- manga;
- video games;
- merchandise;
- store credit;
- collectibles.
Sellers often use giveaways to attract new viewers, reward their community, and make their live streams more engaging.
Do You Have to Buy Something to Enter a Giveaway?
It depends on the type of Whatnot Giveaway the seller is hosting.
There are actually two main types of Giveaways on Whatnot.
1. Follower Giveaways
These are the most common giveaways.
They're generally open to anyone who follows the seller and meets the conditions displayed during the live stream.
In most cases, no purchase is required.
You simply need to:
- follow the seller if requested;
- enter the giveaway before the countdown ends;
- meet any additional requirements specified by the seller.
This is often how new users discover Whatnot without spending any money.
2. Buyer Giveaways
Buyer Giveaways are reserved for people who have made a purchase during the live stream.
To qualify, you'll usually need to buy at least one item from the seller before the drawing takes place.
Once your purchase is confirmed, you automatically become eligible.
This type of giveaway is commonly used to reward customers who supported the seller during the live sale.
How Can You Tell Which Giveaway You're Entering?
Whatnot clearly indicates the giveaway type before registration opens.
Before entering, take a few seconds to read the conditions displayed on screen.
You'll immediately know whether the giveaway is open to all followers or only to buyers.
I always recommend reading these rules carefully to avoid any surprises.
How to Enter a Whatnot Giveaway
Joining a giveaway only takes a few seconds.
1. Join a Live Stream
Start by opening a live stream that includes a giveaway.
Most sellers announce upcoming giveaways several minutes before they begin.
2. Wait for Registration to Open
When the giveaway starts, a button appears directly in the live stream.
Simply tap it to enter.
3. Make Sure You're Entered
Once you've joined, your username is added to the list of participants.
There's nothing else you need to do.
4. Wait for the Drawing
When the countdown ends, Whatnot automatically selects a winner from all eligible participants.
The winner is announced live during the stream.
How Are Giveaway Winners Chosen?
The winner is selected automatically by Whatnot.
The seller cannot personally choose who wins the prize.
This makes the drawing fair for everyone who meets the giveaway requirements.
Naturally, the more participants there are, the lower your chances of winning.
What Can You Win?
That depends entirely on the seller.
Some give away inexpensive accessories, while others offer much more valuable prizes.
| Seller Category | Example Prizes |
|---|---|
| Pokémon | Trading cards, booster packs, accessories |
| Video Games | Retro games, consoles, collectibles |
| Figures | Funko Pop, statues, miniatures |
| Manga | Volumes, box sets, merchandise |
| Sports | Sports cards, accessories |
Some sellers even host multiple giveaways during the same live stream.
If you're also interested in auctions, I recommend reading my guide: How to Bid on Whatnot.
Can You Enter Multiple Giveaways?
Yes.
You can enter as many giveaways as you like, provided you follow each seller's rules.
However, you can usually only enter each giveaway once.
Staying in the live stream also allows you to join additional giveaways if the seller hosts several during the broadcast.
What Happens If You Win?
If you're selected, Whatnot immediately displays your username during the live stream.
You'll also receive a notification confirming your win.
The seller then prepares and ships your prize just like a normal order.
In most cases, you don't need to do anything else.
I simply recommend making sure your shipping address is already saved in your account before entering.
Is Shipping Free for Giveaway Prizes?
Not always.
This is one of the most common misunderstandings.
The Giveaway usually covers the item itself, but shipping costs may still be your responsibility depending on the seller's rules and the giveaway settings.
Before entering, take a moment to read the giveaway conditions.
Doing so can help you avoid unexpected charges.
If you'd like to understand how shipping costs work on the platform, I also recommend reading my guide on Whatnot shipping.
How Can You Improve Your Chances of Winning?
Of course, there is no guaranteed way to win.
However, a few good habits will help you enter more giveaways over time.
- Follow your favorite sellers.
- Enable live stream notifications.
- Join live streams as soon as they begin.
- Stay until the giveaways take place.
- Participate in multiple live streams instead of only one.
In practice, many sellers host several giveaways during the same broadcast.
The more giveaways you enter, the greater your overall chances of winning over time.
Can You Enter Without Buying Anything?
Yes—in many cases.
That's actually one of the reasons Whatnot is so appealing to new users.
You can explore the platform, watch live streams, and enter many giveaways without making a single purchase.
However, some sellers reserve their giveaways for buyers who have placed an order during the live stream.
When that's the case, the requirement is clearly displayed before registration opens.
If you'd also like to claim the Whatnot welcome credit, check out my guide: How to Get €25 in Free Whatnot Credit.
Are Whatnot Giveaways Really Random?
According to Whatnot, yes.
Once registration closes, the platform automatically selects a winner from all eligible participants.
The seller cannot manually choose the winner.
This helps ensure a fair and transparent drawing during every live stream.
Can You Win More Than One Giveaway?
Yes.
Winning one giveaway doesn't prevent you from entering future giveaways.
However, some sellers may create their own rules to give more viewers a chance to win.
As always, I recommend reading the giveaway conditions before entering.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After watching countless live streams, these are the mistakes I see most often:
- Leaving the live stream just before the drawing.
- Not reading the giveaway rules.
- Forgetting to add a shipping address.
- Assuming every giveaway includes free shipping.
- Believing there's a way to artificially improve your odds.
Simply following the seller's instructions and Whatnot's rules will help you avoid most of these issues.
My Opinion on Whatnot Giveaways
I think giveaways are one of Whatnot's biggest strengths.
They make live streams more interactive and allow new users to experience the platform without buying anything right away.
Of course, you shouldn't see giveaways as a way to get everything for free.
Instead, they're a fun bonus that rewards loyal viewers while making live streams even more engaging.
If you're new to Whatnot, I definitely recommend taking part.
You have nothing to lose—and you might walk away with a great prize.
Summary
Whatnot Giveaways are a great way to discover the platform and, with a little luck, win free items from sellers.
The process is simple: join a live stream, enter the giveaway when registration opens, and wait for the random drawing.
Although your chances depend on the number of participants, giveaways make live streams much more exciting and can sometimes reward you with valuable prizes.
Before entering, simply remember to read the giveaway rules and make sure your shipping address is up to date.
FAQ
What is a Whatnot Giveaway?
A Whatnot Giveaway is a random prize drawing held during a live stream.
The seller gives away one or more items for free to a randomly selected participant.
Do you have to buy something to enter?
Not always.
Many giveaways are completely free to enter.
However, some sellers reserve their giveaways for buyers, and the entry requirements are always displayed before the giveaway begins.
How do I know if I've won?
Your username is announced live during the stream, and you'll also receive a notification in your Whatnot account.
Is shipping free?
Not necessarily.
The prize itself may be free, but shipping costs can still apply depending on the seller's giveaway settings.
Can I enter multiple Giveaways?
Yes.
You can participate in as many giveaways as you like, as long as you follow each seller's rules.
Can I win more than once?
Yes.
There's no rule preventing you from winning multiple giveaways, although some sellers may apply their own limitations to give more people a chance.
How can I improve my chances of winning?
There isn't a secret strategy.
The best approach is simply to join live streams regularly, enable notifications, and stay until the giveaways take place.
You May Also Like
If you want to get the most out of Whatnot, I also recommend these guides:
- My Complete Whatnot Review
- How to Get €25 in Free Whatnot Credit
- How the Whatnot Referral Program Works
- Are There Any Whatnot Promo Codes?
- How to Make Money with Whatnot
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