How to Make a Poll in Instagram Chat

Getting quick feedback from your friends or followers in an Instagram chat is incredibly easy using the poll feature. This simple tool is perfect for settling debates, making group plans, or just having fun. This guide will walk you through exactly how to create a poll in any Instagram group chat, step-by-step, and give you some creative ideas for using them to make your conversations more interactive.

Can You Even Put a Poll in an Instagram Chat?

Yes, you absolutely can! While most people associate polls with Instagram Stories, the feature is also fully available within your Direct Messages (DMs). Specifically, you can add a poll sticker to any group chat. It works almost exactly like the Stories version but is designed for a more private, conversational setting with a specific group of people rather than your entire follower list.

This is a fantastic tool for making quick decisions without a long, messy back-and-forth conversation. Instead of ten people typing "I'm good with whatever" for thirty minutes, a simple poll can get a consensus in seconds. Whether you're a brand engaging with a small focus group or just trying to decide on dinner plans with friends, polls in chat are a simple and effective communication tool.

How to Make a Poll in an Instagram Group Chat: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a poll inside your DMs takes less than a minute. Just follow these simple steps to get started.

1. Open an Existing Group Chat or Create a New One

First, navigate to your Direct Messages by tapping the messenger icon in the top right corner of your Instagram feed. From there, you can either:

• Select an existing group chat: Scroll through your inbox and tap on the group you want to send the poll to.
• Create a new group chat: Tap the "new message" icon (it looks like a notepad and pen) in the top right. Select two or more people you want to include in the chat, and then tap "Chat."

You must have at least three people in the conversation (including yourself) for it to be a group chat where you can use the poll feature.

2. Tap the Sticker Icon

Once you're in the group chat, look at the message composition bar at the bottom of the screen. To the right of the text field, you'll see a collection of icons. Tap the icon that looks like a square sticker with a smiling face on it. This is the same sticker drawer you use to access GIFs, avatars, and other effects.

3. Select the "Poll" Sticker

Tapping the sticker icon opens a menu with various interactive options. Near the top of the list, you should see a sticker labeled "POLL." Tap on it to begin creating your poll.

4. Write Your Question and Options

After selecting the poll sticker, a small template will appear. Here's what you need to do:

• Ask your question: The placeholder text will say "Ask a question..." Tap here and type whatever you want to ask the group. Keep it clear and concise so everyone understands what they're voting on.
• Add your options: By default, the poll gives you "Yes" and "No" options. You can tap on each of these to customize them. For example, you could change them to "Pizza" and "Tacos" or "Friday" and "Saturday."
• Add more options (optional): If you need more than two choices, simply tap on the "Add option" button to create a third or even a fourth choice. This is perfect for when "Yes" or "No" isn't enough.

5. Send Your Poll

Once you're happy with your question and the choices, simply tap "Send." The poll will appear in the chat as an interactive message that everyone in the group can see and vote on. That's it! Your poll is now live.

Seeing and Interacting with Your Poll Results

After you send your poll, it's easy for everyone in the group to participate and track the results.

• How to Vote: Anyone in the group chat can vote by simply tapping on their preferred option. Their profile picture will appear next to their vote, and the percentage breakdown will update in real-time.
• Viewing the Results: Anyone in the chat can see the results as they come in. You can also tap "View results" at the bottom of the poll to get a clear list of who voted for each option. This transparency is great for making group decisions because everyone can see exactly where the consensus lies.
• Longevity: Unlike Story polls that disappear after 24 hours, polls in group chats are permanent. They will remain in the chat history just like any other message, so you can always scroll back up to see the final results. You can also vote at any time, there's no expiration.

Why Use Polls in Instagram Chats? The Secret Engagement Sauce

Polls are more than just a novelty, they're a powerful way to make conversations more efficient and engaging. Here's why you should start using them, whether for business or just for fun.

For Making Quick Group Decisions

This is the most practical use for polls in a chat. They cut through the noise of a busy group conversation and provide a structured way to make a decision. Eliminate endless back-and-forth by creating a poll for things like:

• "Where should we go for lunch?" (Option 1: The cafe, Option 2: The sushi place)
• "What time works best for the meeting?" (Option 1: 2 PM, Option 2: 3 PM)
• "Which movie should we watch tonight?" (Option 1: Oppenheimer, Option 2: Barbie)

For Boosting Engagement with a Close-Knit Community

If you're a brand, coach, or creator with an exclusive group chat (like for subscribers or a coaching program), polls are a fantastic way to foster community. They give members a simple way to participate and feel like they're part of a conversation. By asking for their opinions, you make them feel valued and heard. Use it to ask for feedback or to let your community guide your content:

• "What should the topic of my next workshop be?"
• "Which of these merch designs do you like more?"

For Getting Instant, Honest Feedback

Group chats often feel more private and safe than public-facing Stories. This makes them an excellent testing ground for new ideas. If you have a trusted group of friends or colleagues, you can use a chat poll to get candid feedback before a public-facing launch.

• "Thinking of a rebrand... which logo feels more modern?" (Option 1: Logo A, Option 2: Logo B)
• "Is this tagline clear? Or is it confusing?" (Option 1: Super clear!, Option 2: A bit confusing)

For Simple Fun and Entertainment

Sometimes, the goal isn't to make a decision but just to keep the conversation lively and fun. Polls are great for settling silly debates, running inside jokes, or sparking a new topic of conversation.

• "Be honest: Should pineapple go on pizza?" (Option 1: Absolutely, Option 2: It's an abomination)
• "Is a hot dog a sandwich? Let's settle this."

Polls in Chat vs. Polls in Stories: What's the Difference?

While the functionality is similar, the context and impact of a poll in a chat versus a Story are very different. Here's a quick breakdown:

Feature: Polls in an Instagram Chat - Polls in an Instagram Story

• Audience: Visible only to the members of a specific, private group chat. Visible to all your followers (or just your "Close Friends" list).
• Longevity: Permanent within the chat history. Does not expire. Disappears along with the Story after 24 hours.
• Purpose: Best for intimate conversations, quick decision-making, and targeted feedback from a small group. Best for broad audience engagement, collecting data on a larger scale, and driving public interaction.
• Anonymity: Not anonymous. Everyone in the chat can see who voted for each option. Not anonymous to you (the creator). You can see every voter's choice, but your followers only see the percentage.

Final Thoughts

Adding a poll to an Instagram chat is a simple yet effective feature for making conversations more streamlined and participative. Whether you're coordinating plans with your friends or doing light market research with a core group of customers, it's a tool that helps you get clear answers quickly and efficiently.

Managing these valuable conversations in DMs and comments is where relationships are built and community thrives. At Postbase, we designed our platform with a unified inbox that brings all your conversations from every platform into one clean view. This makes it effortless to keep up with feedback - whether it's a quick vote in a chat poll or a detailed comment on your latest post - so you never miss a chance to connect with your audience.