So you want to create public GAs, but you don't want bots and auto-join scripts to enter? Good. Just post a comment in this thread with a link to an invite-only giveaway. The idea is very simple and is really not different from many (most?) of the other threads in the forum, except that you don't need to invest much time or thought into it. Just post the link in a comment, and you're done :-)

A few additional guidelines:

  • Feel free to obfuscate the link to make it more difficult for bots/scripts to enter. This is completely optional and may not make much of a difference, because the forums are probably not as infested with bots and auto-join scripts as public giveaways (see example).
  • You may use itstoohard.com, sgtools.info or other sites as filters to the link, but do try to keep things easy (for humans) to enter.
  • Don't feel obligated to write anything to accompany the giveaway link. If you have stuff to share beyond just the link, you probably should create a dedicated thread for it. Needless to say, you can also write it here, but it's not required.
  • Cross-posting giveaways your posted in other threads is fine, as long as they are your giveaways.
  • If you want to add a dynamic signature showing the game name, giveaway end date and current number of entries, but without revealing the URL to bots, you can use this tool created by Reforced. It takes the signature created by SG and provides you with a new URL that hides the original giveaway address. Just add it to your comment using the regular format for posting images: ![](URL)
  • Just like public GAs typically have a lot of entries, there's no need to maintain a low number of entries in GAs posted here. If you want to give especially good odds to people who enter and still get CV, you may want to instead consider posting the link here (and then remove it when you have your 5 entries). This is not needed here in this thread. The more (humans) the merrier :-)
  • The best way to bump this thread is by posting a link to your own invite-only giveaway. With that said, if the thread drops from the first page a regular "Bump" would also be appreciated.

I'm trying to find how serious the issue with bots really is. So far the results don't really prove things one way or another. Here are some stats from my latest experiment:

Game: Space Trader: Merchant Marine
Number of giveaways: 5
Period: 3 days

Giveaway # Level Type Number of entries Winner's Sent:Won Reroll needed?
1 Level 0+ Public 891 0:82 No
2 Level 0+ Invite only, direct link 55 4:47 No
3 Level 0+ Invite only, SGTools (no restrictions) 48 6:71 No
4 Level 0+ Invite only, shortened URL, captcha-free 50 1:205 No
5 Level 0+ Invite only, shortened URL with "I'm not a robot" captcha 54 162:86 No

Yet some more stats:

Giveaway game Period Level Type Number of entries Winner's Sent:Won Reroll needed?
Tales from the Void 5 days Level 0+ Public 755 0:37 No
Tales from the Void 5 days Level 0+ Invite only, obfuscated link 183 42:514 No
Hyper Box 4 days Level 0+ Public 554 0:32 No
Hyper Box 4 days Level 0+ Invite only, obfuscated link 193 178:188 No
Ace Combat Assault Horizon 3 days Level 0+ Public 1596 0:28 Yes
Ace Combat Assault Horizon 3 days Level 0+ Invite only, obfuscated link 234 88:107 No
7 years ago*

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Free for all, Sakura Games from Humble
ends in a day

steamgifts.com/giveaway/eTIsM/sakura-succubus-6

2 months ago
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Bump!

2 months ago
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bump ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

2 months ago
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Cant activate it because my account is German, Dead Rising 2 Off the record, ends in a day
steamgifts.com/giveaway/b3BeX/dead-rising-2-off-the-record

2 months ago
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Bump!

2 months ago
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Level 1+ ending in a month and you have to own F1 2017
https://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/a032494b-10e7-434c-a68c-52f02ec0688a

2 months ago*
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Having troubles verifying, last time this happened the rules were set up wrong, will wait for other people's feedback

2 months ago
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You can't enter because you don't have F1 2017. Sounds pretty logic.

2 months ago
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Yeah but I mean, instead if getting an in site "you failed" message, I'm getting a generic pop up error that I only got once with the conditions I mentioned above

2 months ago
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This is what I mean
expected
what I got

2 months ago
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Oh.. ok.
I hadn't really understood. I've got the same thing.
You're probably right, there are a few things that aren't quite right.

2 months ago
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updated

2 months ago
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Having the same result

2 months ago
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should work now

2 months ago
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Yup 💪🏼

2 months ago
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It's all ok now.

I own the DLC but tested the link.

2 months ago
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thanks

2 months ago
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had the same generic error message too before
can confirm it's now working as intended: can't enter, not owning the base game ;)

2 months ago
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bump

2 months ago
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1 month ago
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Bump!

1 month ago
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1 month ago
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bumpitybump

1 month ago
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Hello everyone unfortunate no was available to join community train was too late so leave this here for now
https://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/b720805a-66ff-4f81-a565-x57?a3981199
Game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/760650/Hammerting/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1315980/Tin_Can/
x=(3x3)
?=(4+3)

1 month ago*
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bump

1 month ago
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Bump!!!

1 month ago
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Bump!

1 month ago
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(b u ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° m p)

1 month ago
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Bump

1 month ago
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Thank you for all the Sakuras! Here's a bump:

View attached image.
1 month ago
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Bump. ;)

1 month ago
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Testing out SG Tools. Sakura MMO Extra
Simple Rules, Level 3+ https://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/394b823d-a1b2-4700-a131-e455bd170e2d

1 month ago
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View attached image.
1 month ago
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View attached image.
1 month ago
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I've seen that puppet live.

Twice.

He's amazing

1 month ago
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I just used the gif but I looked up Randy Feltface and discovered there are whole shows on Youtube. Got something to watch now haha

View attached image.
1 month ago
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SG Tools Test 2, Death and Taxes
Harder rules, Level 3+ https://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/7b19d134-b94c-4df2-b561-7a4b8ca87bb8

1 month ago
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Test passed. I already own it though.

1 month ago
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Thanks for testing!

1 month ago
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Bump!
Fair and simple rules 💚

1 month ago
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1 month ago
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Humble October Choice Leftovers, Level 2+, 25 hours.
Should not have any region locks according to the thread. I hope I did sgtools right.

Station to Station: https://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/ed893efb-f19f-4547-a475-54c607d0ad1f
Remnant Records: https://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/8e24e01e-d692-4de9-abaf-dce3e8694166

1 month ago*
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Thank you! :)

1 month ago
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Bump

1 month ago
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Sadly, using blacker-than-black voodoo magic to summon this key from the deepest darkness of the heart of hell, stained it with region locks. So it's only able to be activated in 34 EU countries. Not my fault, ask for the black magic retailer Humble Bundle. Next time I'll use indigo magic.

Hero's Hour, level 3+, runs until 14th. Bot protection should be trivial.
https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/O8im?/he?os-hou?

Edit: apparently bot protection is not so trivial for some people. See the name of the game. See which letters are question marks in the url. All of them are the same letter. Change the three question marks into that letter and that's it. I didn't mean it to be a puzzle.

1 month ago*
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beump

1 month ago
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bump

1 month ago
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That took me longer than I’d like to admit.
Think I need some sleep 😅

Bump

1 month ago
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Good puzzle

1 month ago
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beump

1 month ago
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Fanatical BYOFantasy, Level 2+, ~25 hours.
Should be ROW even if fanatical says locked. Heard you guys like Styx
Styx: Shards of Darkness
Styx: Master of Shadows

I made some custom rules this time. It should be CV ratio >= 0.5 for public + private only if working properly.

1 month ago
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bump~

1 month ago
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Bump!!! 🙌

1 month ago
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bump!

1 month ago
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Bump 🍀

1 month ago
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mega bump~

1 month ago
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bump!

1 month ago
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1 month ago
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ELDERBORN, Level 2+, ~16 hours

Have a go why don't you - https://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/74e3a0ab-9f23-483b-977f-6b50958a46e1

1 month ago
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Bump

1 month ago
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bump

1 month ago
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Just discovered this discussion. Please tell me how do I enter those? I understand I must replace sgtools.info with steamgifts.com, but what should I do with the 74e3a0ab-9f23-483b-977f-6b50958a46e1 part? How to decrypt it?

1 month ago
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No, in this case you actually just go to the link. The website sgtools info is made for checking your steamgifts profile (e.g., if you follow the SG rules). This particular link goes to a page that checks your profile like this and if you pass the rules, it gives you a link to the giveaway. There is no puzzle.

1 month ago
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I get 403 Forbidden by clicking it for some reason, even the main page. Maybe my country is banned there. Thank you for your answer anyway!

1 month ago
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That's incredibly strange. It should be the opposite where your country/ISP has banned this website? I did not know this was a thing when I set these up. Well I've added you on Steam to just DM you the giveaway since you pass the requirements.

1 month ago
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Thank you! A lot of Western businesses from Best Buy to Guilded have banned Russia, so this error isn't surprising at all, this ban may be one of them. It's no big deal. Thank you again!

1 month ago
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I assume the user could be perma banned on sgtools for breaking the rules multiple times but 100% sure could only knsys answer this assuming.

1 month ago
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there is no replacing anything, log into sgtools with your steam account(same as logged into SG), click check requirements, if you pass you get link to the giveaway.

1 month ago
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I get 403 Forbidden by clicking it for some reason, even the main page. Maybe my country is banned there. Thank you for your answer anyway!

1 month ago
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I think indeed Sg tools is blocked for Russia , I saw one user say that recently .

1 month ago
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Works with VPN

1 month ago
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1 month ago
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Bump

1 month ago
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bump

1 month ago
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Scarlet Hood and the Wicked Wood (Steam)
Level 0+, ends in 3 days

1 month ago
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bump

1 month ago
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Invalid link?

1 month ago
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Bot protection.

1 month ago
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Oh I figured it out lol

1 month ago
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👍

1 month ago
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1 month ago
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Bump!!

1 month ago
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I always get excited when I see my favorite games given away, even though I already own them lol

1 month ago
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Bump!

1 month ago
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