Currently, with the spectacular rise of artificial intelligence, the rules of the game we once knew have been completely changed, and it’s now possible to design campaigns that, just a few months ago, would have seemed impossible to execute. In this article, we detail the two scenarios we encounter when planning a promotion with validate receipts, taking into account the latest validation technology available in the market—specifically, receipt validation with AI:
- Receipt Marketing Scenario 1: manual validation.
- Receipt Marketing Scenario 2: automatic validation with Artificial Intelligence.
Receipt Marketing Scenario 1: Manual validation
From our experience, the only scenario where manual receipt validation makes sense is when the prize or prizes are raffled randomly among all participants at the end of the campaign.
This is the simplest scenario to implement because no automatic validation is required during the participation process. The promotion administrator only needs to manually review the purchase receipts of the winner. If the winner has submitted any receipt that does not meet the campaign criteria, they will be disqualified, and the prize will be awarded to the first alternate who does meet the requirements.
The key in this type of promotion is to clearly specify in the Terms and Conditions that if the organizer detects any irregularity in any of the proof of purchase submitted by the winner, they will be automatically disqualified.
This scenario is applicable in cases where:
- Each purchase receipt counts as a single entry in the random draw, meaning the amount on the receipt is not taken into account.
- The organizer prioritizes participation over the quality of the receipts collected. Therefore, uploading the purchase receipt is more symbolic than operational.
- The brand has a very strict and limited budget for managing the promotion.
The participation process in Easypromos is just that simple:
- Users upload their purchase receipts, and the system allows all files, only checking to ensure that no duplicates are submitted.
- At the end of the participation period, the campaign manager conducts the draw, and the system randomly selects a winner.
- The organizer searches for the winner’s details in the participant list and verifies that the receipts associated with each entry meet the criteria set in the campaign.
- If any receipt is invalid, the organizer disqualifies the winner and repeats the validation process with the first alternate, and so on, until finding a participant from the alternate list who meets the campaign’s criteria.
A very common example is merchant associations that want to raffle a Christmas basket among all customers who have made a purchase at one of the collaborating stores. Instead of using paper lottery tickets, an outdated practice, they opt for a digital campaign where users register and upload their proof of purchase receipts. Digitizing the campaign is already a significant step forward, but to avoid complicating things with an automatic validation system, they prefer to manually review the receipts of the winners before contacting them and announcing the results of the giveaway publicly.
In which cases do we recommend this scenario?
At Easypromos, we typically recommend this approach only in very specific cases. With the current tools available, it’s possible to add a simple automatic review system that allows for real-time receipt validation and the assignment of entries based on the purchase amount or the fulfillment of the promotion’s conditions. This option not only provides more guarantees for the organizer but also enhances the user experience.
That being said, we understand that in campaigns with very limited budgets, this approach without automatic validation can be a practical and low-cost solution.
Receipt Marketing Scenario 2: automatic validation with Artificial Intelligence
The second scenario is where we make the most of the current state of technology. It’s worth noting that Easypromos’ receipt validation system combines receipt reading with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and the interpretation of the OCR reading with Artificial Intelligence (AI). In a promotion managed with Easypromos technology, the participant uploads their purchase receipt, and the system can instantly validate whether the receipt meets the campaign’s participation criteria. The great advantage of this approach is that the user can be rewarded immediately.
The user experience in this case is much more engaging because it adds a new dimension of excitement and surprise. At Easypromos, we have managed hundreds of campaigns with receipt validation, and the numbers are very clear: in promotions with automatic validation and direct prizes, the average participation is 40% higher than in campaigns with receipt uploads and a final draw (Scenario 1).
In addition to enriching the user experience, the other advantages of running a promotion with automated proof of purchase validation are:
- Integration with the most advanced reward system on the market. With AI Purchase Receipt Validation, it’s possible to reward participants in every possible way. Among them, the following prize assignment methods are available:
- Awarding more entries for a final draw depending on the receipt content.
- Direct prizes just for submitting a valid receipt.
- Earning points or virtual coins.
- Extra spins on the prize wheel or chances in a “Scratch and win” type dynamic.
- Awarding more entries for a final draw depending on the receipt content.
- Direct prizes just for submitting a valid receipt.
- Earning points or virtual coins.
- Extra spins on the prize wheel or chances in a “Scratch and win” type dynamic.
- Extraction of structured receipt information. The system validates the purchase receipt according to the conditions set by the administrator and also stores the receipt information in a structured manner, allowing the organizer to analyze the participants’ purchasing habits. Therefore, these promotions can achieve two goals: rewarding buyers and gaining a more detailed understanding of the participants’ purchasing profile.
- Advanced duplicate control. The system not only ensures that a purchase receipt photo cannot be uploaded more than once, but it also controls that different photos of the same receipt cannot be uploaded.
- Detection of fake receipts. Easypromos’ automatic validation includes an advanced filter to prevent users from uploading fake or digitally manipulated purchase receipts.
In which cases do we recommend automatic receipt validation?
Based on our experience, the most common cases are the following:
- Promotions linked to a product. Reward users who purchase a specific product or a specific combination of products.
- Promotions in retail chains. Offer prizes to those who make a minimum purchase at any of the stores in the chain.
- Promotion in Shopping Center. Incentivize customers who make a purchase at any of the stores in the shopping mall.
Overview of receipt validation scenarios
Before launching a promotion based on purchase receipt submission, we need to ask a key question: do we want to reward participants instantly or through a final prize draw?
If we opt for direct prizes, our recommendation is clear: use AI-powered automatic receipt validation. This system allows for real-time verification of receipts and provides a much faster and more satisfying experience for the user.
On the other hand, if you organize a sweepstakes with receipt validation and the prize is awarded through a final draw, it’s possible to use manual validation afterward. This option is more affordable and easier to implement, but it comes with significant limitations regarding the user experience. Why? Because without real-time validation of the clients’ receipts, participants can upload any type of document. Even if the terms and conditions clearly state that only valid receipts will be accepted and that winners with invalid documents will be disqualified, this can lead to distrust and negatively impact the campaign’s image. Discover how to use the automatic
If you’re thinking of launching a campaign where users must submit a purchase receipt to participate, it’s important to choose the right type of validation. At Easypromos, we help you analyze which option is best for your specific case, taking into account your goals and budget.
Request a personalized demo and discover how our AI-powered solutions can help you create a more innovative, engaging, and secure campaign.
