Instagram has not published official guidelines — i.e., restrictions — around sweepstakes and contests. The most popular sorts of Instagram contests is to invite users to post pictures and use a dedicated hashtag. Winners can then be selected at random by pulling all of the images with the dedicated hashtag. Contests are a snappy method to increase your followers. Make sure you promote your contest to your other social channels.

Gap, as an instance, recently ran a competition asking followers to teach its best festival look — with the hashtag #styldby — for a bet to win a VIP experience to Sasquatch Festival, a music event.