YouTube video giveaways are classic for channels and brands. The question: how to pick a winner on YouTube so your audience trusts the draw — without pasting usernames into a spreadsheet.
This guide is YouTube-only (not a Threads combo). Tool: YouTube randomizer in SOM. Need YouTube + Threads together? See YouTube + Threads giveaway.
What a YouTube giveaway looks like
People comment under your video; you pick a winner at random. SOM loads comments from a public video link (youtube.com or youtu.be) — no Google login and no channel access.
CSV export is for Instagram and Facebook via Meta Login, not YouTube.
Rules before you start
- Publish a video with clear rules: prize, deadline, number of winners, keyword comment if required.
- Comments must be on; the video must be public.
- Mention in the description: “winner will be picked with SOM (it-som.net/giveaway/youtube/)”.
- Decide: one comment = one entry (duplicate filter) or multiple comments = multiple chances.
How to pick a YouTube winner in SOM
- Open the YouTube page in SOM.
- Copy the video URL and paste it.
- Set winners, load comments, apply filters if needed.
- Click Pick winner and optionally share a transparency certificate.
More: how SOM works.
Filters and limits
Duplicates and keywords/hashtags only — no tagged-friends filter. Free: 3 giveaways/day, up to 100 comments. Certificate is transparency for your audience, not “100% ban protection”.
YouTube + Instagram
Parallel contest? Merge with multi-giveaway.
FAQ
Do I need Google login?
No — a public video link is enough.
Do youtube.com and youtu.be both work?
Yes.
Where do I pick a winner now?
On the YouTube page in SOM.
Bottom line
To pick a winner on YouTube: rules → public link → comments in SOM → filters → random draw with certificate.