When a contest project falls outside our remit

Does the contest permit entrants to promote their work?

We take on a contest only when its rules allow the kind of promotion the plan requires. The published terms and any written clarification from the organizer are the starting point; activity by other entrants is not evidence of permission.

Review the wording for restrictions on paid advertising, asking supporters to participate, sharing entry links outside organizer channels, creator posts, or the period when promotion may happen. A restriction on one channel does not necessarily rule out every other option, but a direct ban on entrant outreach means we will not design a workaround.

If a clause is unclear, we can point to the precise wording and help you ask the organizer a narrow question. We wait for a clear answer before recommending activity that the clause might prohibit. The contest rules and risk consulting page explains the deeper review; you can also start with the rules and risk check.

Which project types do we keep outside our work?

We decline political campaigns, lotteries and gambling projects, contests that involve minors without parental or guardian consent, and requests that depend on automated or purchased participation. These boundaries apply whether the request is for ads, outreach, creative work, or advice.

Political campaigns are outside our contest-promotion remit. We also do not take on lottery or gambling promotion. For an entry involving a child, we need the parent or guardian's consent for the entry and the proposed promotion, and the plan must respect relevant platform age and privacy rules. See our guidance on youth contests for the kinds of information to prepare.

We do not use or accept bots, scripts, fake accounts, click farms, or purchased votes. Our work is based on white-hat promotion in line with platform rules and contest rules, such as permitted advertising, suitable creative, and outreach to relevant audiences. Our no-bots policy sets out that boundary in more detail.

A contest organizer controls the rules, voting process, and decisions about entries. We can commit to the agreed work and reporting, but not to a win, a vote total, a ranking, or a particular result.

What will our review tell you?

Our review gives you a clear decision and the reasoning behind it, rather than a vague rejection. A Senior Review considers the contest rules, the entry, the intended audience, and the promotion you have in mind. When useful, a short Strategy Memo records the relevant clause, the point that needs clarification, and a practical next step.

To make that assessment useful, send the contest page, the complete rules, your entry link, the deadline, and a short description of the promotion you want. If minors are involved, include confirmation that a parent or guardian has agreed. Share only material relevant to the review; discretion matters, and we do not need unrelated personal information.

If the project is eligible, we can direct you to the contest marketing overview and the relevant campaign options, such as paid promotion or creative and copy. If an organizer's clarification changes the picture, we can assess the updated wording. Send your details through the free contest analysis; we will review the materials and tell you the appropriate next step.