WhatsApp recently introduced polls, allowing users to easily create polls right within WhatsApp chats and groups. Polls provide a quick and convenient way to survey a group of people and get their feedback.
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How to Create a Poll in WhatsApp
Creating a poll in WhatsApp is simple:
- On Android: Tap the paperclip icon in the chat, then select “Poll”
- On iOS: Tap the plus (+) icon in the chat, then select “Poll”
From there:
- Enter your question in the “Question” field
- Enter up to 12 options for people to vote on in the “Options” fields
- Toggle “Allow multiple answers” on or off
- Tap send
The poll will then be posted in the group for participants to vote on.
Customizing Your WhatsApp Poll
You have a few options when creating a WhatsApp poll:
Allow Multiple Answers
- By default, WhatsApp polls allow participants to vote for multiple options
- Turn this off if you only want participants to choose one option
Reorder Options
- You can change the order of the options by holding and dragging the three-dot icon next to each option
Add Up to 12 Options
- WhatsApp polls support up to 12 options to choose from
Running a Poll in Your WhatsApp Group
Once you’ve created and sent a poll in your WhatsApp group, members can immediately start voting:
- To vote, simply tap one or more options, depending on the settings
- To remove a vote, tap the option again
- To view results, tap “View votes” below the poll options
The poll creator and participants can view up-to-date vote tallies in real-time.
Tips for Effective WhatsApp Polls
Here are some tips for running effective polls in your WhatsApp groups:
Keep It Simple
- Ask clear, concise questions that can be answered definitively
- Limit the number of options (no more than 4-5)
Make It Visual
- Consider using emoji or images to represent poll answers
- This makes the poll more visually engaging
Engage Your Audience
- Pose interesting or provocative questions to generate discussion
- Be creative and have fun with it!
Use Polls to Make Decisions
- Gauge group preferences on meeting times, locations, etc.
- Facilitate decision-making directly within the chat
Follow Up Afterwards
- Summarize the poll results in a subsequent message
- Discuss next steps based on the group feedback
WhatsApp Poll Ideas and Examples
Here are some creative examples of how you can use polls in your WhatsApp groups:
Event Planning
Where should we meet up?
- 🍽️ Restaurant
- 🎪 Arcade
- 🏖️ Beach
What time works best?
- 🕛 Noon
- 🕑 3 PM
- 🕗 5 PM
Group Discussion
Which topic should we discuss at our next meeting?
- 📱 Tech trends
- 🚗 Transportation issues
- 🏡 Housing policy
Make Group Decisions
Should we reschedule this week’s meeting?
- ✅ Yes, move it to next week
- ❌ No, keep it on the calendar
Where should we volunteer next month?
- 👵 Senior center
- 🏥 Children’s hospital
- 🏡 Homeless shelter
Have Fun!
What’s the best superhero movie ever made?
- 🦸♂️ The Dark Knight
- 🕷️ Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- 🦸♀️ Wonder Woman
Which emoji best represents how your week is going?
- 😃
- 😐
- 😩
As you can see, the options are endless when it comes to creating and using polls in WhatsApp groups! Get creative, have fun with it, and use polls to engage your audience and facilitate better group communication.
