What is a social media poll?
Also called poll, Instagram poll, X poll, LinkedIn poll.
A social media poll is a post or sticker that asks followers a question with set answer options they can vote on with one tap, showing results as votes come in or when the poll ends.
Why it matters
Polls are one of the easiest ways to get followers to interact, because voting takes a second. For a small business, they're also a quick way to hear what customers want: which flavour to launch, which day suits a workshop, which design they prefer. Just remember that the people who vote are a small, self-selected group, not a proper survey.
Example
A coffee shop posts an Instagram Story poll: "Which should be our winter special? Cardamom latte or spiced mocha?" and launches the winner the following week.
Polls on each platform
Each platform sets its own number of options and how long a poll runs.
- X: two to four choices of up to 25 characters each. Polls run from 5 minutes to 7 days, with one day as the default. You can't add photos to a poll.
- LinkedIn: two to four options. A poll runs for one day, three days, one week or two weeks, with one week as the default. Page and group admins can post polls from the Page or group.
- Instagram: add a poll sticker to a Story and write your own question and answers.
- YouTube: a channel post can be a text poll (up to four answers of up to 65 characters) or an image poll (up to four images with captions of up to 36 characters).
- Facebook: groups can have polls if the admins allow them, and Live Producer adds polls to live broadcasts.
- Threads: you can add a poll when you start a thread or reply.
How to write a good poll
The best polls are easy to answer and tell you something you'll actually use.
- Ask one clear question.
- Give two to four short options that don't overlap.
- Make the options genuinely different, so the result is useful.
- Pick a sensible duration: a day or two for a quick choice, longer for a bigger decision.
- Share the result afterwards and say what you'll do with it.
Poll ideas for small businesses
Mix polls that help you decide with polls that are just fun.
- Choose the next product, flavour, colour or design.
- Pick the best day or time for an event or workshop.
- This or that: two products, two styles, two looks.
- A quick quiz about your trade, with the answer in the next post.
- Ask what customers would like to see more of in your posts.
Mistakes to avoid
Polls are easy to overuse.
- Treating results as market research. Only your most engaged followers vote.
- Asking a question and then ignoring the answer.
- Running polls every day until people stop voting.
- Polls that exist only to farm interactions, with no real question behind them.
Common questions
How long should a poll run?
It depends on the platform and the question. On X you can choose anything from 5 minutes to 7 days, and on LinkedIn one day, three days, one week or two weeks. A day or two is usually enough for a quick decision.
Can I edit a poll after posting?
Usually not. On X and LinkedIn you'd delete it and start again. In Facebook groups, the question and options can't be edited once people have voted, though the poll's creator and admins can add or remove options.
Are polls good for engagement?
They're an easy way for followers to interact, which is why they're popular. They work best when the question matters to your audience and you show what you did with the result.
Sources: X Help Centre: About X polls, checked 14 October 2026; LinkedIn Help: Create LinkedIn polls, checked 14 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Using stickers, checked 14 October 2026; YouTube Help: Create a post, checked 14 October 2026; Facebook Help Centre: Create or manage a poll in a group, checked 14 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Add a poll to your post on Threads, checked 14 October 2026