I was pleased to discover upon recently purchasing a Humble Bundle that Steam now not only has a web-accessible page to activate Steam keys, but that it can also accept query parameters to automatically populate its form with a key provided in the URL:

Due to this (recent?) change, the lack of a link on SteamGifts to redeem won keys now seems like a bit of an oversight. As such, I'd like to suggest that such a link be added to the Won Giveaways page, either in place of or supplementing the existing button to copy the key to the clipboard. The fa-steam icon could easily be repurposed for this, or fa-external-link could be used if you don't want one icon doing double-duty.

Replacing the copy button would be the cleanest solution to avoid the proliferation of more UI elements, but it does have the downside of removing the ability to easily copy keys if users would prefer to activate them through the client: an understandable desire for users who may not stay logged into Steam in their web browser. However, considering the focus of SteamGifts, I feel it's also likely most people visiting the site do stay logged into Steam in their browser; as such, both to maintain UI simplicity and because it would allow the JavaScript facilitating that copy function to be removed from the site, this is the option I view as preferable.

I don't presently see any reason not to add a link, considering the simplicity of implementation and the additional functionality it provides users, though if there are any concerns, please do bring them up.

  • Edit: TempeteJoachim brings up one potential issue: if people have multiple Steam accounts, it may increase the odds of accidentally redeeming a won key on the wrong account. The key redemption form does, however, have your account name in the normal top-right spot.
6 years ago*

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Should a link be provided to redeem won keys on Steam?

View Results
Yes, INSTEAD OF the copy button
Yes, IN ADDITION TO the copy button
No

I didn't even know we have a copy button until now 0_o. Nice idea, would love for this if possible.

6 years ago
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I mean.. I really don't see any reason not to do this either tbh. But that's a new thing though, right? I didn't have the option last time I bought something on HB (about a month ago). I remember that was an option a few years ago too, no idea why they took it away

6 years ago
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The way Humble used to do it was through a system where you linked your Steam account to Humble, and it then activated the game on your account without ever showing you a key in the first place. They had to remove that feature when Steam dropped its support for the API they were using to implement it.

6 years ago
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FYI ESGST already does that, but i guess a direct implementation from SG wouldn't hurt either.

6 years ago
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Bump, this sounds nice!
What if we take it a bit further and have ONLY the activate button and no key? That way we eliminate the possibility to not activate a key and can have an automatic "mark as recieved". I can't see any downsides, maybe I'm missing something.

6 years ago
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Sadly, the flaw I do see with that is that the page doesn't activate the key just by going to itβ€”you have to agree to the Subscriber Agreement and submit the form. Additionally, as alluded to in my original post, if you're not logged into Steam, you have to do that. In other words, just clicking the link doesn't automatically activate the key, and also doesn't guarantee the key is valid. So while I do like he idea, it might not be realistically implementable. :/

6 years ago
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I wouldn't like it instead of the copy button, since Steam is apparently unable to keep me logged in for more than 10 seconds, I still activate the keys from HB manually.
What happens if you are logged in with a different account, is there a confirmation window where you can see on which account you are redeeming it ?

6 years ago
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yes

6 years ago
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Ah, now there's something I admit I hadn't considered (multiple accounts). There is a confirmation window, insomuch as the form you have to submit to redeem the key has your account name in the usual position, but that may not be enough to avoid accidental redemptions. On the other hand, maybe people with multiple accounts are more sensitive to that sort of thing; I wouldn't know. I agree it's worth considering, though,

6 years ago
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We already have it in scripts. Its useful. But NOT as a replacement. I copy my keys to a spreadsheet. I click the link to copy to my clipboard first, then I click the link to activate. Having both is good.

6 years ago
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Seems like CG implemented your suggestion changelog. Thanks for bringing it up. I like this feature.

6 years ago
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Still, he didn't add an option to activate through the Steam client.

6 years ago
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Thanks for letting me know!

6 years ago
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