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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I bought a game from Fanatical and it came with a redeem code for an extra game, here you are :-)
g7XkA0ROntOvP

Please let me know if it works.

3 years ago
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already used not by me sorry I don't know what is it :s

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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you know what to do

View attached image.
3 years ago
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3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Why are you guys including puzzles? This is supposed to be the anti-bot thread, not the anti-human thread.

3 years ago
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It's just a sgtools.info link.

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.

3 years ago
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facepalm

I know what it is. I just over-reacted to orTe's post and started seeing everything in base64. Carry on.

3 years ago*
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3 years ago
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Why are you guys including puzzles?

[Edit: Nevermind.]

3 years ago*
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View attached image.
3 years ago
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Ok, this is confusing. Nothing in HTML also.

3 years ago
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And here I thought this was the "avoid bots" thread, not the puzzle sub-forum.

3 years ago*
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Puzzles are used to "avoid bots", so not mutually exclusive...

3 years ago
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You could also avoid bots by restricting the giveaway to level 10 only. The point is that you are keeping out more than just "bots." We have a sub-forum dedicated to Puzzles precisely because there are people who seek them and people who avoid them. If the sole reason for adding a puzzle was to avoid bots, there would an explanation/solution included for those non-bots who wish to skip the puzzle.

3 years ago
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Look closer at the image

3 years ago
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I see nothing

3 years ago
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And there I thought I already saw everything. What a clever trick. Thanks!

3 years ago
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Well, that was dark.

3 years ago
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badum-tss :D

3 years ago
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If you want to gate your giveaways with a puzzle, we have an entire sub-forum for that, here. This thread is dedicated to avoiding bots, not people.

3 years ago
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I didn't want to create separate discussion for one small game. I hope it's okay to post small puzzles here from time to time.

3 years ago
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You did great, to minimize bots. Some people just cant be bothered to try the simplest of tricks.

3 years ago
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It is not "wrong" per se, but keep in mind you are blocking participation from non-bots. I elaborated a bit up above.

3 years ago
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Okay, i got the code by making the picture brighter with Photoshop but i'm pretty sure it's useless without the game name to use on the link.

Excuse my language but if the game you're making us "hunt" is not Red Dead Redemption 2 or something, the sh*t is not worth the detective work.

3 years ago
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You don't need to add the name of the game to the address.

3 years ago
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No, you just need the code (followed by /). The name of the game is not needed

3 years ago
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Some (includes me) like this type of riddles (even for a mystery giveaway) and would prefer to not getting the solution revealed in the comments. ;-)

3 years ago
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Not really...

Proof: https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/NTYnN/red-dead-redemption-2 (this is is a public GA, not by me):

You can even omit the name if you want

3 years ago
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Due to the nature of this thread, I do not feel you should be penalized for "spoiling" this puzzle. If you end up reported for doing so, quote this post of mine in your defense.

3 years ago
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I appreciate the thematic consistency between the puzzle and the game. :)

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Thanks!
(Not entering, I already have it, it's a nice game)

3 years ago
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bump

3 years ago
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Thanks!

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Great game! Already completed.

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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thanks

3 years ago
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Thank you very much!

3 years ago
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No worries! Enjoy my man and best of luck!

3 years ago
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this deserves a bump ;)

3 years ago
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Thanks a lot!

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Delete "TofuGGPlayers" in the links

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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you're welcome :)

3 years ago
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Thanks!

3 years ago
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Some great giveaways! Thank you very much :)

3 years ago
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Thanks :)

3 years ago
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Thank you! :)

3 years ago
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Invite only giveaway to celebrate something special =) Cyberpunk 2077, hope you all enjoy!

https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/gj9VSTofuGGPlayers/cyberpunk-2077

3 years ago
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Thanks a lot for this one and for the ones above, too! =)

3 years ago
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You're welcome! Enjoy!

3 years ago
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Thanks for all the great GA's ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

3 years ago
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Bump.

3 years ago
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shocked bump ยฐoยฐ

3 years ago
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Excited bump, thank you

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Cyberthanks and punk 2077 bump!

3 years ago
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Not lvl 3, but thanks for the great giveaway!

3 years ago
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Thank you! :)

3 years ago
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Bump

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Perhaps it's Pre-order Key

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Hey! How's it going! You can actually send the pre order copy as a gift through Steam =)

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Random gib, if people read this: https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/tWFbD/

3 years ago*
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3 years ago
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3 years ago
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3 years ago
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boop :3

3 years ago
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Thank you!

3 years ago
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Thank you :3

3 years ago
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Thanks!

3 years ago
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thank you

3 years ago
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Thanks!!!

3 years ago
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https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/x&?%!/chronicles-of-magic-divided-kingdoms

& - GTFO bots
? - How many fingers does one have on a hand?
% - Who have a big PP here?
! - Have you watched X files?

Edit:

  • Game: Chronicles of Magic: Divided Kingdoms (lvl 1+)
3 years ago*
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Thanks for the chance!

3 years ago
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i have small brain

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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thanks first entry

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Yay! A game from my wishlist. Thanks!

3 years ago
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Sorry to ask,

how can i know if a user hasnt activated any previous wins on sgtools?

3 years ago
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You can use the activated wins checker

3 years ago
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Wow, thank you for that link. I was always wondering how could be possible to do that without being checking game by game.

3 years ago
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Thanks๏ผ๐Ÿ˜€

3 years ago
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Thank you :)

3 years ago
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Level 1 - Override: Mech City Brawl
https://www.sgtools.info/g1veaways/6921d033-09f0-11eb-a71e-fa163e96784d

View attached image.
3 years ago
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