How to Create a Poll on LinkedIn

Looking for a straightforward way to increase engagement and get real-time feedback on LinkedIn? Polls are one of the most effective, yet underutilized, tools you have at your disposal. This guide won't just walk you through the simple clicks needed to launch one, we'll also cover the strategies that turn a basic poll into a powerful conversation starter and brand-building machine.

Why Bother with LinkedIn Polls? (Hint: They Actually Work)

In a feed packed with text-heavy posts and corporate announcements, a simple poll can feel like a breath of fresh air. But beyond being a simple pattern interrupt, polls offer some serious strategic benefits for anyone looking to build a presence on the platform. They are a low-effort, high-reward format that you should definitely add to your content mix.

1. They Hack the LinkedIn Algorithm

LinkedIn's algorithm is designed to prioritize content that sparks interaction. Every vote on your poll counts as an engagement, just like a like or comment. This signals to LinkedIn that people find your content interesting, which in turn leads the platform to show your post to a wider audience, including second and third-degree connections. It’s one of the simplest ways to expand your reach without spending a dime on ads.

2. They Serve as Instant Market Research

Wondering which feature to build next? Trying to decide on a topic for your upcoming webinar? Curious about what pain points your audience is facing? A poll gives you direct access to the thoughts and preferences of your professional network. Instead of guessing, you can gather valuable data in less than 24 hours to make more informed decisions for your business, content strategy, or personal brand.

3. They Drive Meaningful Conversations

A well-crafted poll doesn't just end with a click. It invites discussion. People love to share their opinions, and after they vote, many will jump into the comments section to explain why they chose a particular option. This is where the real magic happens. You’re not just collecting data, you're starting a dialogue, building relationships, and fostering a community around your profile.

4. They Humanize Your Brand

Polls can be a great way to show a more personal, relatable side of your brand or professional personality. Asking lighthearted questions about workplace habits, industry inside jokes, or productivity preferences can make you seem more approachable and authentic. It proves that there's a real person behind the profile, one who is genuinely interested in what others have to say.

How to Create a LinkedIn Poll in Under 60 Seconds

Ready to launch your first poll? The good news is that LinkedIn has made the technical process incredibly simple. You can get a poll up and running in just a few clicks. Here's exactly how to do it.

1. Start a Post: Navigate to the LinkedIn homepage or your personal profile. At the top of the feed, you'll see the "Start a post" box. Click on it to open the post composer.
2. Find the Poll Option: In the post creation window, look at the bottom for a set of icons. If you don't see the bar chart icon for "Create a poll," click the three dots icon labeled "More" to reveal additional options. From there, select "Create a poll."
3. Write Your Question: A new window will pop up. In the field labeled "Your question," type the question you want to ask. Keep it clear, concise, and easy to understand at a glance.
4. Add Your Options: You can provide a minimum of two and a maximum of four different options for people to vote on. Fill in the "Option 1" and "Option 2" fields. To add more, click "+ Add option." Make sure your options are distinct and cover the most likely answers.
5. Set the Duration: Below the options, you'll find "Poll duration." You can choose to run your poll for one day, three days, one week, or two weeks. For most topics, one or three days is ideal to create a sense of urgency and maximize initial engagement.
6. Add Context and Hashtags: After you click "Done" in the poll creator, you'll be taken back to the main post composer. This step is critical. Don't just post the poll on its own. Use the text area above the poll to add context. Explain why you're asking, encourage people to share their reasoning in the comments, and add 3-5 relevant hashtags to increase visibility.
7. Post It! Once you’re happy with your question, options, and accompanying text, hit the "Post" button. Your poll is now live and will start appearing in your network’s feeds.

Best Practices: From Good Polls to Great Polls

Knowing how to create a poll is one thing, knowing how to create a poll that actually gets people talking is another. The difference lies in the strategy. Here are some pro tips to help you get the most out of every poll you post.

Keep Your Question Focused

The best poll questions are simple and direct. Avoid industry jargon, overly complex phrasing, or asking two things in one question. Your audience should be able to understand what you're asking in the split second it takes them to scroll past it in their feed.

• Bad Example: "Given the current macroeconomic climate and the technological evolution towards headless CMS solutions, should marketing teams prioritize long-form, evergreen pillar content or high-velocity, ephemeral social media content for top-of-funnel initiatives?"
• Good Example: "For brand awareness, what's more effective in 2024? SEO-driven blog posts or viral-potential social videos?"

Write Compelling Options

Your options should be just as carefully crafted as your question. Make them clear, succinct, and mutually exclusive. Sometimes, including a more playful or contrarian option can spark more conversation in the comments. A classic combo is two serious answers, one slightly cheeky answer, and a "See results/Other" option for those who don't fit into the other categories.

Use the Post Text to Your Advantage

The text above your poll is your stage. Use it to set the scene. Share a quick personal anecdote related to the question, frame the problem you're trying to solve, or explicitly ask people to elaborate on their vote in the comments. A great prompt is: "After you vote, I’d love to hear your reasoning in the comments!" This simple line can dramatically increase your comment count.

Engage with Your Engagers

Don't just launch the poll and walk away. As votes and comments start rolling in, be an active participant in the conversation you started. Reply to comments, ask follow-up questions, and thank people for sharing their insights. This not only encourages more people to chime in but also shows that you genuinely value the feedback you're receiving.

Always Follow Up with the Results

This is the step that separates the amateurs from the pros. Once your poll has closed, the conversation doesn't have to end. You can follow up in a few ways:

• Edit the Original Post: Add a comment or edit the original post to thank everyone for their participation and share your biggest takeaway from the results.
• Create a New Post: Write a dedicated follow-up post. Share a screenshot of the final results, offer your analysis or reaction, and even tag a few people who left insightful comments on the original poll. This "closes the loop" and shows your audience that their participation led to a valuable conclusion, making them more likely to vote on your next poll.

10 LinkedIn Poll Ideas to Spark Engagement

Feeling stuck? Here are 10 adaptable poll ideas you can use to get started, no matter your industry.

1. Future Predictions: "Which technology will have a bigger impact on our industry in the next 5 years?" [Option A] vs. [Option B].
2. Work Model Preferences: "For you, the ideal work setup is:" [Fully remote], [Hybrid model], [Fully in-office], [Depends on the role].
3. Content Validation: "I'm thinking of creating a guide on [your area of expertise]. Which format would you prefer?" [eBook], [Webinar], [Email course], [Video series].
4. This or That (Skills Edition): "For career growth today, what's more valuable?" [Specializing in one niche] vs. [Being a generalist with multiple skills].
5. Productivity Habits: "What's your go-to method for tackling a big project?" [Break it into small tasks], [Time blocking], [Focus sprints (Pomodoro)], [Just dive in].
6. Industry Priorities: "What's the biggest challenge your company is facing right now?" [Talent acquisition], [Economic uncertainty], [Keeping up with technology], [Marketing ROI].
7. Simple Preferences: "When attending a virtual meeting, do you prefer..." [Camera on] vs. [Camera off].
8. Behind-the-Scenes Feedback: "We're brainstorming names for our new newsletter. Which one do you like best?" [Option A], [Option B], [Option C].
9. Debatable Best Practices: "When it comes to cold outreach on LinkedIn, the best approach is:" [Highly personalized], [Short &, direct], [Lead with value (no ask)], [It doesn't work].
10. The Fun Friday Poll: "What's the best way to unwind after a long work week?" [Happy hour with colleagues], [A good book or movie], [Exercising], [Quality family time].

Final Thoughts

LinkedIn polls are a powerful feature for sparking conversations, understanding your audience, and increasing your visibility on the platform. By moving beyond just asking a question and strategically planning your content, engaging with replies, and following up on the results, you can turn a simple poll into a valuable asset for your personal brand or business.

Creating compelling polls is the first step, but maintaining that content momentum with follow-up posts and other engaging ideas is the real challenge. At Postbase, we designed our visual calendar to solve exactly this problem. Planning your polls alongside supporting video content, articles, and follow-up analysis in one place allows us to see how every piece fits into the larger strategy, making it much easier to stay consistent and not let great conversations fade away.