How do returning entrants log back into a giveaway?

Every entrant has a private 6-digit PIN. It lets them get back into a giveaway they already joined, with all their entries, actions and referral link, without anyone else being able to do the same with just their e-mail address.

When does an entrant need a PIN?

• Same browser: no PIN. The widget remembers the entrant, so they go straight to their entries.
• New device or browser, or after clearing cookies: the entrant types the e-mail they entered with. Because that e-mail is already in the giveaway, Giveaway Ninja e-mails them their PIN instead of creating a second entry.
• First entry: no PIN. New entrants just fill in the entry form.

How do entrants log back in?

1. Open the giveaway and enter the same e-mail address they used before, then click the enter button.
2. The form changes to six PIN boxes, and a PIN e-mail is sent. The name, phone and opt-in fields are hidden at this step.
3. Open the e-mail Your PIN from followed by your store's domain, and copy the 6-digit PIN. Check the spam or promotions folder if it isn't in the inbox.
4. Paste the PIN into the first box, or type it. The full code fills all six boxes and the login goes through by itself.

Typed the wrong e-mail? Use a different e-mail under the boxes goes back to the entry form.

What happens after too many wrong PINs?

After 5 wrong PINs in a row, the login for that e-mail is paused for 15 minutes, and the entrant sees "Too many wrong PINs". When the 15 minutes are up, the PIN from the e-mail works again: it doesn't change. A correct PIN resets the count.

The pause applies to that e-mail in that giveaway only. Other entrants and new sign-ups aren't affected.

Why doesn't the widget log entrants straight back in?

Entry e-mails are easy to guess, so an e-mail alone isn't proof. Without the PIN, anyone could type an entrant's address and see their entries, referral link and rewards. Since October 2026:

• PINs have 6 digits (one million combinations) and are generated with a cryptographically secure random generator.
• Every returning entrant needs the PIN, including imported, manually added and Shopify Auto Sign-up entrants.
• Coming back from the same network or IP address no longer skips the PIN, because people on the same Wi-Fi, office network or mobile carrier share that address.
• Older 4-digit PINs are replaced by a new 6-digit PIN the next time the entrant asks for one.

The PIN protects returning entrants. To stop fake sign-ups, use reCAPTCHA and Bot Protection.