The repeated selection of certain users as winners in campaigns can occur due to specific settings, system behaviors, and campaign design choices. Below, we explore common reasons, troubleshooting suggestions, and preventive measures to manage random winner selection more effectively.
Overview of Winner Selection Logic
In campaigns on the Audience platform, winners are selected randomly based on all valid entrants. However, certain conditions and configurations may unintentionally affect the eligibility pool, leading to repeat selections of the same users. This includes:
Excluded users being automatically re-added to the pool when removed manually.
Small entrant pools, which increase the probability of repeated winners.
Entrants with significant bonus entries dominating the odds.
Common Factors Leading to Repeated Winners
Small Number of Entrants: - If there is a limited pool of participants or many entrants were excluded because of prior wins, the remaining participants stand a higher chance of being randomly selected again. - Manual removal of winners from the exclusion list can unintentionally requalify them, compounding the issue.
Excessive Bonus Entries: - Offering high-value bonus entries, such as hundreds of extra entries for specific tasks, can heavily skew random selections in favor of participants with more entries. - Users who are familiar with contest mechanics may navigate these advantages to intentionally increase their chances of winning.
Troubleshooting Steps for Adjusting Existing Competitions
To address the problem of repeated winners, consider the following corrective actions:
Adjust Exclusion Settings: - Ensure that "Excluded Users" settings are configured to apply across an adequate time period (e.g., exclude participants who have won in the last X days from that campaign or your account). - Review the exclusion list before finalizing winner selection to avoid manual errors, such as re-qualifying entrants.
Limit Bonus Entry Impact: - Uncheck the bonus and referral inclusion options before selecting winners to ensure everyone has a fair chance. (Assuming that you have made clear in your terms and conditions that winners can/will be chosen this way)
Manually Review Winners: - If repeated winners persist post-selection, remove them manually and reselect. Note that this is a temporary fix and should be supplemented by adjusted campaign settings for future campaigns.
Preventive Measures for Future Campaigns
Preventing repeated winners is as important as addressing existing occurrences. Implement the following best practices:
Design Campaigns with Varied Pools: - Strive to increase participant numbers through targeted outreach or promotional campaigns to expand the eligible pool.
Manage Bonus Entry Weighting: - Limit the influence of bonus entries to maintain fairness while retaining engagement incentives.
Refine Campaign Entry Tracking: - Use external tracking tools to ensure exclusions are applied consistently across all relevant accounts and campaigns.
Review and Test Settings: - After running a campaign, analyze the changes made and reiterate on the process to help eliminate future cases repeat winners.
By addressing these factors, campaign organizers can minimize the chances of repeated winner selection and ensure fair outcomes while maximizing participant trust and engagement.