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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BATTLETECH
No level requirement, ends in 21 hours.
Click here to enter!
I'm also giving away the two DLCs Flashpoint and Shadow Hawk Pack (both ending in 23 hours); the links for those are in the above GA's description.
Edit: It's over!

2 weeks ago*
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The link does not work.

2 weeks ago
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In case you mean the giveaway link above your comment: look closer at the URL, you have to remove something from it to make it work.

2 weeks ago*
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2 weeks ago
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If you mean because of their ratio, then I disagree. This shouldn't be a reason to not help someone in my opinion.

2 weeks ago*
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2 weeks ago
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Sometimes Google/Opera (don't know about others) shorten the url automatically, i don't know why it does that, but it has happened to me various times with anti-bot links in this thread and in others, you press the link, it shows something like "www.steamgifts.com/giveaway" and it cuts away, i know that if i press the link it shows the whole thing but maybe someone with less know-how would have trouble with that, especially if the link says "Click here to enter!" and no indication of anti-bot stuff that should get in the way.

PS: It is not doing that in my case with this specific link but im just pointing out the possibility :P

2 weeks ago
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So, for you, it is better to have someone who has given away more games and with a lower level than me, than me, with a higher level, who has given away few games, but higher quality games? I prefer quality over quantity. No problem, I will not join your giveaways. Good luck.

2 weeks ago
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I never said that, I think you missunderstood me. Feel free to join my giveaways if you want!

2 weeks ago*
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If I didn't notice the changed link, it doesn't make you better than me, or smarter than me. I'm usually very attentive to details always, but in this situation I didn't pay attention, and wrote about the wrong link.

2 weeks ago
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Bump!

2 weeks ago
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Thank you! :)

1 week ago
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everyone is busy with all the christmas discussions for a good reason - they're THE place to be right now. but maybe someone will find their way to this freshly baked, barely out of the Humble oven quick giveaway?

https://www.sgtools.info/giveaways/36782b7f-0b15-4c7f-b8c4-bc294224c4bc
Venba, 5 hours, lvl 3+

merry christmas, friends!

2 weeks ago
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View attached image.
2 weeks ago
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I do love a fresh baked giveaway! Thanks. Bump!

2 weeks ago
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Happy Cakeday :)

2 weeks ago
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...I also like a fresh cakeday. Thanks! 🍰

2 weeks ago
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freshly baked cake day! happy cake day!

View attached image.
2 weeks ago
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Happy cake day Yamaraus!

2 weeks ago
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Happy Cakeday Yamaraus 🍰 :o)

2 weeks ago
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Small Jigidi for Survivalist and Survivalist: Invisible Strain, Level 1, 2 Days. Good Luck and Have fun :)

2 weeks ago
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2 weeks ago
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2 weeks ago
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Giveaway-Train, no level requirement, open for 48 hours from now.
Games included (these are Steam links, link to the GA is below): ZAMB! Biomutant Extermination, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing, Super Rude Bear Resurrection, Psychonauts, MX vs. ATV Unleashed, Gurgamoth, Dungeon Hearts.

Click HERE to get to the Giveaway! (I have magically hexed the link to deter bots; you'll need to remove two words from the link to break the curse.)
Edit: It's over!

1 week ago*
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Bump!

1 week ago
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Bump!

1 week ago
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bump

1 week ago
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Prey is one of my all time favorites!

1 week ago*
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8h left bump!

1 week ago
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bump!

1 week ago
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Bumping!

1 week ago
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Level 3+, Ended in 12 hours: Cute cat game
?? = counter strike (lowercase)

1 week ago
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Thank you! :)

1 week ago
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Thanks <3

1 week ago
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You're welcome, but I think you thanked the wrong person. I've done the same several times. :)

1 week ago
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lol, sorry :D

1 week ago
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Flash giveway, ~3 hours, Level 1+
Remnant Records
? = Number of cat lives

1 week ago*
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Bump!

1 week ago
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Knights of Pen and Paper 2, no level requirement.
Wargame: Red Dragon, level 3+.
Both running for just under three days from now. (And no need to alter the link this time; I figure this should be enough.)
Good luck!
Edit: It's over!

1 week ago*
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Bump

1 week ago
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Thank you bump!!

5 days ago
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Monke [Level 2+] Ends in 1 day
? = Number of days in a week

1 week ago
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Bump!

1 week ago
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3 days ago
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Here's Vroom vroom games LVL 2 request
MudRunner +/-24h
Trail Out +/-48h

2 days ago
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Bump and thanks for all you do to preserve Old games!

1 day ago
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