Category: Service Reviews / Instagram Tools
Read Time: 3 minutes
You planned a giveaway, your followers are waiting for the results, but the YouToGift website isn’t opening or is throwing a 502 error? Unfortunately, this has become a massive problem. In 2025-2026, thousands of giveaway organizers are facing constant crashes with this once-popular randomizer.
In this article, we’ll explain what happened to YouToGift, why checking subscriptions and likes is technically no longer possible, and how to pick a winner safely using the SOM service.
What Happened to YouToGift?
This service used to be a market leader, but the situation has changed drastically. Users are reporting consistent issues:
The website is often inaccessible or takes forever to load.
The randomizer freezes while loading comments.
Payments are failing due to international gateway issues.
However, the main issue isn’t just that the site is “down.” The problem is that the features you were used to are technically no longer possible.
The Myth of Checking Subscriptions and Likes
Many organizers chose YouToGift for its “magic button”: Check subscription to sponsors and likes.
The Hard Truth: Instagram/Meta has significantly tightened its API rules for third-party developers. Today, automatically checking if a participant followed 10 sponsors or liked a post is often inaccurate or blocked by Instagram itself.
Services that promise “100% subscription checks” are often misleading you or requiring your Login and Password to do this via “grey” methods. This is a direct path to getting your account banned.
SOM (it-som.net) works honestly: we export comments using official methods, guaranteeing your profile’s safety, and we don’t make promises that are technically impossible to keep without risking your account.
Why is YouToGift Risky to Use Now?
Beyond technical glitches, there is a critical security factor. YouToGift has Russian roots.
Data Privacy & Security: Servers of such platforms are often located in Russia. By entering your profile link or authorizing via your Instagram, you are risking your data privacy.
Payment Blocks: Due to global sanctions, attempts to pay for premium features with European or US cards often result in blocked transactions.
Instability: With current geopolitical instability, the service could be shut down or disconnected from the global web at any moment, causing you to lose access to your contest history.
SOM — The Stable Alternative That Just Works
While competitors are trying to “patch” their broken sites, SOM (Social Online Media) works flawlessly 24/7. We built a product that solves the main pain points of an SMM specialist: Speed and Safety.
Why Creators Are Switching to SOM:
✅ No Passwords Needed: We do not ask for access to your account. You simply paste the post link.
✅ Speed: Instant comment export from Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
✅ Free Start: If you have up to 100 comments, you can pick a winner for free.
✅ Screen Recording: You control the screen recording process for your Stories to show transparency to your followers.
Comparison: YouToGift vs. SOM
| Feature | YouToGift | SOM (it-som.net) |
| Stability | ❌ Often Down / Errors | ✅ Stable 24/7 |
| Origin / Data Safety | ❌ Russia (High Risk) | ✅ Ukraine 🇺🇦 (Secure) |
| Login Required | Often Required | ✅ No Login Needed |
| Subscription Check | Promises (Technically impossible) | ✅ Honest Comment Picker |
| Payments | Card Issues (Sanctions) | ✅ Apple Pay / Google Pay / Cards |
Conclusion
Don’t risk your reputation with your audience by trying to launch a service that is “broken.” If YouToGift isn’t working, it’s a sign to switch to a modern, safe tool.
Try running your giveaway on SOM right now. It’s free for smaller contests!
