Sweepstakes and draws in arbitrage 2026: how to work with SOI/DOI offers through UBT

Sweepstakes is one of the most underrated and at the same time most beginner-friendly verticals in traffic arbitrage. The idea is simple: the user participates in a drawing for a prize (iPhone, gift card, cash prize) by leaving an email or phone number. The affiliate earns $0.50–3 for each such lead. The payouts are low, but the conversion rate on sweepstakes offers is one of the highest in the industry: 15–30% on SOI. For organic free traffic (UBT), where coverage is measured in thousands and tens of thousands of views, this mathematics works in a plus. In 2026, sweepstakes through short videos are a combination that allows you to earn consistently even without experience and a large budget. In this article we will analyze the entire chain: from understanding SOI/DOI to scaling the grid to hundreds of accounts.

What are sweepstakes and why is this vertical ideal for starting

Sweepstakes (sweepstakes, drawings) are offers in which the user is offered participation in the drawing of a valuable prize. Mechanics: a person lands on a landing page with the promise of a win (iPhone 16 Pro, $500 Amazon gift card, PlayStation 5), fills out a form - name, email, sometimes phone number - and “participates in the drawing.” The affiliate marketer receives a payment for each completed form.

The advertisers behind this are large: lead generation companies, data brokers, marketing agencies. They need contact information for email marketing, retargeting, and resale to advertisers. Sweepstakes are one of the most effective methods of collecting an email database: people willingly leave contacts for a chance to win.

Why sweepstakes is the best vertical for entering arbitrage:

• Minimum conversion threshold. The user does not need to purchase anything, verify a credit card, or make a deposit. Just leave an email. This is the simplest target action in affiliate marketing
• High CR. Conversion from landing page: 15–30% for SOI, 5–10% for DOI. For comparison: nutra - 3-8%, gambling - 5-15% before registration, and before FTD even less will be converted
• Security for accounts. Sweepstakes is not a prohibited topic. Unlike gambling or adult content, sweepstakes do not directly violate rules TikTok and Instagram. Accounts live longer, moderation is softer
• Instant feedback. Short conversion cycle (view → click → lead in 30 seconds) allows you to quickly test connections and understand what works
• Simple creatives. No need to understand medical terms (guts) or show slots (gambling). “Win an iPhone” is a universal hook that works for any audience

The main argument against sweepstakes is low payouts. $0.50–3 per lead is tens of times less than FTD in gambling ($50–200). But in sweepstakes volume compensates for the bet. One account with a viral video can generate 50–100 leads per day. A network of 50 accounts - 500–2,000 leads. At $1 per lead, that's $500–2,000 per day. This is why sweepstakes is a volume vertical, and this is why it fits perfectly into the UBT multi-account traffic model. Read more about budget for starting affiliate marketing in a separate article.

SOI vs DOI: which model to choose

Sweepstakes offers are divided into two payment models, and the entire strategy for working with traffic depends on the choice.

SOI — Single Opt-In

SOI - the user fills out the form (email, sometimes name and phone number) and the lead is counted immediately. No confirmation is required - click “Submit” and you’re done.

• Payouts: $0.50–2 in Tier-1 (US, UK, AU), $0.20–0.80 in Tier-2 (FR, DE, ES), $0.05–0.30 in Tier-3 (IN, BD, PH)
• CR (conversion): 15–30% of the transition to landing page - one of the highest in affiliate marketing
• Pros: maximum volume of leads, quick test of connections, low threshold for the user
• Cons: advertisers filter quality more strictly and can reject “junk” leads with fake emails

DOI — Double Opt-In

DOI - the user fills out the form and then confirms the email: receives the letter, clicks on the confirmation link. Two steps and the conversion rate drops, but the lead is more valuable.

• Payouts: $1.50–3 in Tier-1, $0.60–1.50 in Tier-2, $0.20–0.60 in Tier-3
• CR: 5–10% of the transition to the landing page (3–4 times lower than SOI)
• Pros: higher payout, better quality leads, advertisers more loyal to traffic
• Cons: loss of 50–70% of leads at the email confirmation stage, we need “warmer” traffic

Comparison table for organic free traffic (UBT)

Suppose you have a network of 30 accounts, an average reach of 8,000 views per video, CTR in the profile 2%, following the link from the bio 30%:

• SOI: 30 accounts × 8,000 views × 2% CTR × 30% link click × 20% CR = ~290 leads/day. At $1/lead = $290/day
• DOI: same parameters × 7% CR = ~100 leads/day. At $2/lead = $200/day

Recommendation: start with SOI. Organic traffic from short videos is “cold”: the viewer was not looking for a giveaway, he was simply scrolling the feed. Converting it to SOI (one step) is easier than converting it to DOI (two steps). When the network gains volume and you have worked out the funnel, test DOI on some of the traffic. If conversion and quality allow, transfer Tier-1 GEO to DOI, leaving Tier-2/3 to SOI.

Creatives for sweepstakes: what catches and converts

Sweepstakes creatives are one of the simplest in arbitrage. There is no need to understand nutra products or disguise gambling content. But simplicity is deceptive: competition in sweepstakes is enormous, and the banal “Win ​​an iPhone” has long since burned out. In 2026, creatives that fit into the native format of the platform work.

Format 1: “You have been chosen” - personalization

The video imitates a notification or personal message: “Your area has been selected for a special giveaway”, “Only 100 participants from your city”, “You've been chosen - check your eligibility”. Personalization raises CTR 2-3 times over generic ads.

Implementation: short video sequence (5–15 seconds) with text animation, imitation of a push notification on a smartphone screen, “screencast” of receiving a message. Works best on TikTok - organic-first format, the viewer perceives it as a real notification.

Format 2: “Win an iPhone/PlayStation/Card” - direct offer

Classic sweepstakes: show the prize, explain what you need to do to participate. “iPhone 16 Pro giveaway - link in bio”, “Win ​​a $500 Amazon gift card - takes 30 seconds.” The format works consistently because it appeals to a universal motivation - greed and the desire to get something for free.

Key rule: do not promise a guaranteed win. “Win” and “chance to win” are different things. Direct promise “You won!” — misleading, to which both platform moderation and advertisers react (they will reject traffic). The wording “Enter for a chance to win” is safer and more legally correct.

Format 3: “Lucky draw” - game element

Interactive format: the video shows a “wheel of fortune”, a virtual lottery or a scratch card. The viewer sees the process of the “draw” and wants to try it himself. The CTA leads to a pre-landing page with similar mechanics (spin the wheel, scratch card). This format gives the highest CR on pre-landing - 25–40%, because the user is already involved in the “game”.

Format 4: Unboxing and Prize Review

Unboxing video: a man opens the iPhone box, turns on the PlayStation, shows the card. Presented as "I won this giveaway - try it too." The format is native to TikTok and Reels - unboxing videos gain millions of hits. Conversion is lower (1–2% CTR), but the reach compensates: viral unboxing can get 100,000–500,000 views.

Format 5: “Reaction to winning”

Emotional video: “I can’t believe I won!”, joy, surprise, tears of happiness. Triggers FOMO and social proof. It works similarly to big win in gambling, but is safer from the point of view of moderation - draws are not prohibited.

Rules for sweepstakes creatives

• Hook in 1.5 seconds. Sweepstakes audience is the “laziest”: if you don’t get hooked instantly, the viewer leaves. Start with a prize: iPhone close-up, $500, “You've been selected” animation
• Localization is required. “Win an iPhone” works in US/UK, but for FR you need “Gagnez un iPhone”, for SA - local prizes (Takealot gift card, Shoprite voucher). Non-localized content cuts CR by 2–3 times
• Rotation every 5–7 days. Sweepstakes creatives burn out faster than in gut or dating - the audience is saturated with “pranks”
• No misleading in the video. Don't say “You've won” - say “You could win”. Moderation TikTok in 2026 trained to detect misleading claims
• Subtitles in large print. 70%+ views - no sound. The text with the prize amount and CTA (“Link in bio”) should be readable on a small screen

With a network of 30–50 accounts, each one needs unique content. One sweepstakes video on 50 accounts means an instant link and a ban on the entire network. 360° Uniquizer solves this problem: from one initial sweepstakes creative it creates dozens of unique versions - with changed picture, sound, metadata and editing. Each account in the network receives its own unique file; the platform does not link them together. For sweepstakes, where success is built on mass posting, automatic uniqueness is a necessary condition for scaling.

Best GEOs for sweepstakes: where to play in 2026

Sweepstakes work in almost any GEO, but payouts, competition and CR vary significantly. Here is an analysis of key markets.

US (Tier-1): maximum payouts, high competition

USA is the largest sweepstakes market in the world. Americans are accustomed to sweepstakes: lotteries, giveaways, promotions are part of the culture. Payouts: $1–3 SOI, $2–5 DOI. CR high (20–30% SOI) because the audience does not see anything suspicious in the pranks.

Nuances: competition is maximum - sweepstakes in the US are poured by thousands of affiliates. Moderation TikTok US is stricter than in other regions. Proxy - only mobile LTE/5G with American IP. Content is exclusively in English, localized for the American audience (dollars, American brands).

UK (Tier-1): stable rates, loyal audience

Great Britain is the second largest sweepstakes market in Europe. Payouts: $1–2.50 SOI, $2–4 DOI. The British actively participate in competitions and sweepstakes - this is part of the local consumer culture (competitions, prize draws). CR: 18–28% SOI.

Advantage: content is in English, can be adapted from the US with minimal changes (pounds instead of dollars, local brands - Argos, Currys, John Lewis). Moderation is softer than in the US. Accounts live longer.

FR (Tier-2): golden mean

France is one of the most underrated sweepstakes markets. Payouts: $0.80–2 SOI, $1.50–3 DOI. Competition is 3–5 times lower than in the US. The French audience responds well to giveaways for technology (iPhone, Samsung) and gift cards (Carrefour, Fnac, Amazon.fr).

Key: content must be in French. English-language creatives do not convert to the FR audience - CR drops to 2–3%. Localized creative with French subtitles and local prizes gives CR 15–25%. You can use AI tools for translation and voice acting - more details in our guide on AI translation for multi-GEO.

AU (Tier-1): premium rates

Australia is one of the most profitable sweepstakes markets in terms of the ratio of rates and competition. Payouts: $1.50–3 SOI, $3–5 DOI. The population is small (26 million), but solvent. Competition is moderate - few arbitrage specialists purposefully work with AU.

Features: English, but with local specifics (AUD instead of USD, local retailers - JB Hi-Fi, Kmart, Woolworths). TikTok AU is actively growing - coverage is comparable to UK with less competition. Proxy - Australian mobile, availability lower than for US/UK.

SA - South Africa (Tier-2/3): volumes and minimal competition

South Africa is a growing market with huge potential for sweepstakes. Payouts: $0.50–1.50 SOI. It seems a little, but:

• Competition is almost zero - few affiliates work with SA
• TikTok is growing at an explosive pace - 15+ million users in 2026
• The audience actively participates in sweepstakes - the “win something” culture is very developed
• Content in English works (one of the official languages)
• CR: 20–35% SOI - one of the highest rates among all GEO

SA is an ideal market for testing bundles before scaling to Tier-1. Low error cost, high CR, instant feedback.

Additional GEO

In addition to the main markets, sweepstakes work well:

• DE (Germany): $1–2 SOI. Requires German, but CR consistently high
• ES (Spain): $0.60–1.50 SOI. Content in Spanish, overlap with LATAM
• NZ (New Zealand): $1.50–2.50 SOI. Small market but premium rates
• BR (Brazil): $0.30–0.80 SOI. Huge volumes, TikTok-audience of 80+ million. Content in Portuguese

Funnel: from viral video to email submission

Sweepstakes funnel through organic free traffic (UBT) is one of the shortest in affiliate marketing. The fewer steps, the higher the conversion. Here is the optimal scheme.

Stage 1: Viral video → interest

Short video (10-20 seconds) on TikTok, Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. The task is to grab attention and direct it to the profile. Hooks for sweepstakes:

• "This giveaway is insane - link in bio" (show prize close-up)
• “I can’t believe this is free” (reaction to “winning”)
• “Your area was selected - check if you qualify” (personalization)
• “30 seconds = chance to win iPhone 16 Pro” (specifics + low threshold)

The video doesn’t sell – it creates curiosity. All conversion occurs on the landing page.

Stage 2: Profile → link in bio → prelanding

The viewer goes to the profile and clicks on the link in the bio. A direct link to the offer works, but pre-landing increases conversion by 1.5–2 times.

Best pre-landing formats for sweepstakes:

• Spin the Wheel. The user “spins” the wheel of fortune and “wins” a prize. Next is the form for receiving the prize (email). CR pre-landing→offer: 30–45%. The most converting format
• Scratch Card. Imitation of a scratch card - the user “erases” the protective layer and sees the “winnings”. CR: 25–35%
• Quiz / Survey. Mini-survey of 3-5 questions: “What is your telecom operator?”, “How often do you buy online?” After - “Congratulations, you have qualified!” + shape. CR: 20–30%
• Timer / Urgency. Countdown page: “3 prizes left - fill out form in 60 seconds.” CR: 25–35%

Stage 3: Pre-landing → offer (email submit)

After the pre-landing, the user is taken to the final form - the advertiser’s landing page. Here he enters email (SOI) or email + confirmation (DOI). Nuances:

• Loading speed is critical. Sweepstakes audience is impulsive - a delay of 2 seconds loses 20% of traffic
• Mobile optimization. 95%+ of traffic from TikTok and Reels is mobile. The landing page should work perfectly on a smartphone
• Compliance with promises. If the pre-landing page promised an iPhone, there should be an iPhone on the landing page. Inconsistency brings down CR and leads to lead rejection

Alternate funnel: Telegram

For DOI offers and maximizing conversion, the funnel through Telegram is effective: video → bio link → Telegram bot. The bot sends a series of messages: “You have received an invitation to the drawing” → conditions → link to the offer. Warming up through Telegram increases CR DOI from 5–10% to 12–18% - the user trusts the channel and is more willing to confirm the email. We discussed the detailed architecture of the Telegram funnel in separate article.

Scaling: how to make serious money on sweepstakes

The economy of sweepstakes is built on volume. $1 per lead x 10 leads per day = $10. Not serious. $1 per lead x 500 leads per day = $500. Already a business. The difference between $10 and $500 is the scale of the account grid and the amount of unique content.

Mathematics of scale

Average sweepstakes through UBT in 2026:

• One account: 3 videos/day × 8,000 views × 2% CTR × 30% link click × 20% CR = ~3 leads/day
• 10 accounts: ~30 leads/day = $30–60
• 50 accounts: ~150 leads/day = $150–300
• 100 accounts: ~300 leads/day = $300–600
• When it goes viral (the video gets 100,000+ views): one account can generate 50–100 leads per day

The formula is clear: more accounts = more money. But scaling is limited by two limitations: infrastructure and content.

Infrastructure for scale

• Proxy: one IP - one account. For 100 accounts - 100 pure proxies. Mobile LTE/5G for Tier-1, residential for Tier-2/3
• Antidetect or cloud phones: unique fingerprint for each account. Timezone, language, User-Agent - everything matches the GEO proxy
• Tracker: Keitaro or Binom - end-to-end analytics from click to conversion. Without a tracker, it is impossible to understand which accounts, creatives, and GEOs are working. More details in our guide to trackers
• CPA-networks: at least 2-3 affiliate programs for diversification. If one shaves or delays payments, the traffic switches to another

Content for scale: key limitation

100 accounts × 3 videos/day × updated every 5-7 days = hundreds of unique videos every week. The same video on several accounts - packs are banned for duplicates. It is impossible to manually process 100+ versions of a video, even with simple sweepstakes creatives.

360° Uniquizer closes this limitation. Upload one sweepstakes video and get 50, 100, 200 unique versions. Each version differs from the others in all verification parameters: visual hashes, audio fingerprint, metadata, editing structure. The platform sees each version as original content. Accounts are not linked to each other through content.

For sweepstakes this is more critical than for most other verticals. Low payments per lead mean that you can only make money on volume, and volume means tens and hundreds of accounts with mass posting. Without automatic uniquization, it is impossible to scale the sweepstakes grid in 2026.

Step by step scaling strategy

1. Weeks 1–2: link test. 5–10 accounts, 1 GEO (recommendation - FR or UK), 1 SOI-offer. The task is to confirm that the funnel is converting and ROI is positive
2. Weeks 3-4: First Scaling. Scale up to 20-30 accounts. Add a second offer for A/B testing. Connect tracker for analytics
3. Month 2: Multi-GEO. Add 2-3 GEOs. One set of initial creatives - localized for each GEO (subtitles, prizes, currency). Uniquely via 360° Uniquizer for each account
4. Month 3+: full scale. 50–100+ accounts, 3–5 GEOs, 2–3 CPA networks. If there are stable 50+ leads/day, discuss increasing rates with affiliate managers

CPA-networks and offers: who to choose

Not all CPA-networks work equally well with sweepstakes traffic. Here are the proven options for 2026.

Zeydoo

The affiliate program from PropellerAds is one of the best for sweepstakes. Dozens of sweep offers for all key GEOs. SmartLink automatically selects an offer based on the user’s GEO - ideal for multi-GEO networks.

• Payouts: $0.50–2.50 SOI, $1.50–4 DOI
• GEO: US, UK, FR, DE, AU, SA and 50+ countries
• Hold: 7–14 days - one of the shortest
• Approval: lightweight, suitable for beginners

Lospollos

Sweepstakes is one of the main verticals of Lospollos. Powerful SmartLink with automatic rotation of offers. Good optimization for social traffic.

• Payouts: $0.40–2 SOI, $1–3 DOI
• GEO: global coverage
• Hold: 14 days
• Plus: SmartLink optimizes conversion itself - no need to manually select an offer for each GEO

MyLead

Polish CPA network with an extensive catalog of sweepstakes offers. Loyal to beginners, fast approval, low minimum withdrawal.

• Payouts: $0.30–2 SOI, $1–3 DOI
• GEO: Europe, US, LATAM
• Minimum output: $20
• Plus: educational materials, suitable for first steps

Clickdealer

Large international CPA network with high-quality sweepstakes offers. Higher entry threshold, but better rates.

• Payouts: $0.80–3 SOI, $2–5 DOI
• GEO: Tier-1 focus (US, UK, AU, CA)
• Hold: 14–21 days
• Plus: high rates for Tier-1, exclusive offers for volumes

Adsterra / HilltopAds (SmartLink)

For those who do not want to select offers manually, SmartLink solutions automatically direct traffic to the best offer based on GEO, device and other parameters. Ideal for multi-GEO networks, where one account can generate traffic from different countries.

Strategy for working with affiliate programs

The following configuration is optimal for sweepstakes:

• Main network (70% of traffic): Zeydoo or Lospollos - SmartLink covers all GEOs, minimum manual work
• Second network (30% of traffic): MyLead or Clickdealer - to compare rates and protect against shaving
• Testing: monthly test one offer in two networks simultaneously, compare CR and approval

With a stable 100+ leads/day, managers of CPA networks will increase rates by 20–40%. Sweepstakes is a vertical where volume decides everything: both income and conditions in the affiliate program.

Typical mistakes in sweepstakes

• Fake email databases. Some affiliates generate fake emails for SOI. Affiliates track this: bounce rate >30% = account blocking and non-payment. Send real traffic
• One offer for all GEOs. US offer does not convert to FR traffic. Use SmartLink or select offers for each GEO
• Aggressive misleading. “You've already won!” - a red flag for the advertiser. Traffic will be rejected, leads will not be paid. “Enter for a chance to win” - correct wording
• Duplicate content. One video for 50 accounts = ban of the entire network. Each account is a unique version of the creative
• Ignoring analytics. Without a tracker, you don’t know which accounts are working and which are simply being burned by proxies. Keitaro or Binom is a required element