Amazon is one of the most searched-for brands when it comes to sweepstakes and giveaways. People want Amazon gift cards, free products, and Prime memberships — and brands know it. While Amazon shut down its built-in Giveaway feature in 2019, there are still plenty of legitimate ways to win Amazon-related prizes.
This guide covers where Amazon sweepstakes actually exist now, how to find them, and how to avoid the flood of fake "Amazon giveaway" scams.
What Happened to Amazon Giveaways?
Amazon used to have a built-in giveaway tool that let sellers create instant-win sweepstakes directly on the Amazon platform. Sellers could give away their own products, and buyers could enter while browsing. Amazon discontinued this feature in October 2019.
Since then, there is no official Amazon giveaway program. Any sweepstakes involving Amazon prizes is run by a third party — a brand, influencer, blog, or retailer — not by Amazon itself.
This is important because scammers constantly impersonate Amazon to run fake giveaways. If someone claims to be "Amazon" giving away prizes, verify it carefully.
Where to Find Legitimate Amazon Sweepstakes
Amazon gift card sweepstakes
Amazon gift cards are one of the most common sweepstakes prizes because they're universally appealing and easy for sponsors to fulfill. You'll find them:
- On sweepstakes directories — Sweepstakes Radar lists Amazon gift card giveaways alongside other prizes. Filter by prize type to find them quickly.
- From brands and blogs — Companies use Amazon gift card giveaways to build email lists, promote products, and drive social media engagement.
- In workplace and community promotions — Local organizations and businesses frequently give away Amazon gift cards.
Amazon product giveaways
Many Amazon sellers run their own sweepstakes to promote products, generate reviews, and boost visibility. These typically appear:
- On the brand's own website or social media — Not on Amazon itself
- Through product review sites and blogs — Bloggers partner with sellers to give away products
- In niche communities — Subreddits, Facebook groups, and forums related to specific product categories
Amazon Prime promotions
Amazon occasionally runs promotions tied to Prime membership — especially around Prime Day, Black Friday, and holiday seasons. These are the closest thing to "official" Amazon sweepstakes:
- Prime Day deals and sweepstakes — Amazon sometimes bundles sweepstakes with Prime Day shopping events
- Alexa-based promotions — "Alexa, what are my deals?" sometimes surfaces sweepstakes and instant-win opportunities
- Amazon Live — Streamers on Amazon Live occasionally run giveaways during broadcasts
How to Spot Fake Amazon Giveaways
Amazon's brand recognition makes it a prime target for scammers. Here's what to watch for:
Definite scams
- Text messages saying "You've won an Amazon prize" — Amazon doesn't notify winners via text
- Emails from non-Amazon domains claiming you won — check the sender address carefully
- Social media posts from unverified accounts claiming to be Amazon
- Any "giveaway" that asks for your Amazon password, credit card, or Social Security number
- Pop-up ads saying "Congratulations! You've been selected for an Amazon reward"
Likely scams
- Huge prize values from unknown sponsors — a random Instagram account giving away a $500 Amazon gift card with no verifiable sponsor is almost certainly fake
- Requirements to install apps or complete "survey" tasks before receiving a prize
- Giveaways that redirect through multiple URL shorteners before reaching an entry page
Legitimate indicators
- The sweepstakes is run by a recognizable brand (not by "Amazon" itself)
- Official rules are posted with a real company name and address
- The prize is an Amazon gift card as part of a broader marketing campaign
- The entry method is straightforward — form fill, social media follow, or email signup
For more on spotting scams, read our sweepstakes scam warning signs guide.
Best Strategies for Winning Amazon Gift Cards
Amazon gift card sweepstakes tend to have moderate entry counts — they're attractive enough to draw interest but not as attention-grabbing as car or vacation giveaways. That works in your favor.
Focus on smaller denominations
A $25-$50 Amazon gift card sweepstakes might get 500-2,000 entries. A $500 Amazon gift card sweepstakes might get 50,000+. The math often favors entering five $50 giveaways over one $500 giveaway.
Look for daily entry Amazon giveaways
Some blogs and brands run daily-entry Amazon gift card sweepstakes that last 2-4 weeks. These are ideal because you can enter every day, compounding your odds.
Enter blog giveaways
Bloggers frequently partner with brands to give away Amazon gift cards. These giveaways typically get far fewer entries than social media giveaways because they require visiting a website and filling out a form — an extra step most people won't take.
Check niche communities
Subreddits, Discord servers, and Facebook groups in specific niches (gaming, cooking, crafting, parenting) often share Amazon product and gift card giveaways that fly under the radar.
Amazon Vine and Review Programs
Amazon Vine is often confused with giveaways, but it's a different program entirely. Vine members receive free products in exchange for honest reviews. Key differences:
- Vine is invitation-only — Amazon selects reviewers based on their review history
- Products are free but may be taxable — the IRS considers Vine products as income
- There's no random drawing — you choose products from a selection, it's not a sweepstakes
If you're interested in free Amazon products, Vine is worth pursuing separately, but it's not a sweepstakes.
Tax Considerations for Amazon Prizes
Amazon gift card winnings are taxable just like cash. If you win more than $600 in prizes from a single sponsor in a calendar year, you'll receive a 1099 form. Even below that threshold, you're technically required to report the income.
For Amazon products won through sweepstakes, you owe taxes on the fair market value. A $300 pair of headphones means roughly $60-$90 in additional taxes depending on your bracket.
Read our complete guide to sweepstakes taxes for more details.
Finding Amazon Sweepstakes on Sweepstakes Radar
Browse verified Amazon gift card giveaways alongside thousands of other sweepstakes. Every listing is reviewed before publication, so you won't waste time on scams or expired promotions.
Browse the latest sweepstakes, filter by prize type, and start entering today. The best Amazon giveaways go fast — the sooner you find them, the fewer entries you're competing against.