Currency Rewards: Points and XP can also be used as rewards to boost user progression and purchasing power. For detailed information about the point and XP systems, see the Points System and XP System documentation.
Three Types of Rewards
Choose the right reward type for your engagement strategy:Regular Rewards
The Instant Gratification MachinePerfect for loyalty programs, discount codes, and immediate dopamine hits. Users get rewards faster than they can say “where’s my prize?”Setup Time: 2-3 minutes ⚡
Giveaways
The Suspense BuilderIdeal for expensive prizes, exclusive experiences, and campaigns that make people check their email obsessively.Setup Time: 4-5 minutes 🎲
Badges
The Digital Trophy CaseGreat for milestones, status symbols, and giving users something to display proudly. Always auto-redeemed for instant recognition.Setup Time: 1-2 minutes 🏆
Reward Type Comparison
All reward types share core functionality, but each has distinct characteristics:| Feature | Regular Rewards | Giveaways | Badges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | 2-3 min ⚡ | 4-5 min 🎲 | 1-2 min 🏆 |
| Draw Date | Nope | Required (the suspense!) | Nope |
| Auto-redeem | Your choice | Your choice | Always (instant flex) |
| Images | 1440×1080 | 1440×1080 | 512×512 (square perfection) |
| Expiration | Optional | Required | Never (eternal glory) |
| Supply Types | Assets or Entries | Entries only | Assets only |
| Advanced Settings | All options | All options | Simplified (streamlined) |
Use Case Guide
The Instant Dopamine Hit
Regular Rewards with auto-redeem enabled
- Discount codes for immediate use
- Digital content access
- Exclusive community perks
- Welcome packages and onboarding rewards
The Big Prize Experience
Giveaways with premium prizes
- Concert tickets and VIP experiences
- Gaming hardware and electronics
- Exclusive merchandise
- Meet-and-greet opportunities and exclusive access
The Status Symbol Collection
Badges for status and milestones
- Challenge completion certificates
- Community contribution awards
- Event participation badges
- Loyalty tier recognition and status symbols
The Best of Both Worlds
Regular Rewards with both assets and entries
- Guaranteed stickers + contest entry
- Immediate points + grand prize chance
- Loyalty rewards + seasonal contests
Psychology Behind Each Type
Regular Rewards: Transactional Motivation- Clear value exchange: points for rewards
- Immediate gratification and predictable outcomes
- Appeals to users who want guaranteed returns on effort
- Risk: Can feel purely transactional if not balanced with other motivators
- Variable reward schedule creates strong psychological engagement
- Social proof when winners are announced
- Appeals to users who enjoy excitement and possibility
- Risk: Can frustrate users who never win
- Public display of achievements creates social motivation
- Permanent collection appeals to completionist mindset
- Appeals to users who value status and recognition
- Risk: Can feel meaningless if too easy to earn
Strategic Combinations
The Balanced Approach Most successful communities use all three types strategically:- Regular rewards for consistent engagement and loyalty
- Sweepstakes for special campaigns and community excitement
- Badges for achievement recognition and status building
Implementation Planning
Before creating rewards, consider: Community Goals- Are you building loyalty, driving engagement, or creating excitement?
- What behaviors do you want to encourage?
- What’s your budget for reward fulfillment?
- Do your users prefer guaranteed rewards or exciting possibilities?
- How important is public recognition in your community?
- What types of rewards align with your community’s interests?
- Can you fulfill regular reward claims promptly?
- Do you have systems for managing sweepstakes drawings?
- How will you design and deliver badge graphics?
Start with regular rewards to establish your reward economy, then add sweepstakes for excitement and badges for recognition. This gives users multiple reasons to engage with your community.