How to Make a Poll on TikTok

Want to turn passive viewers into active followers on TikTok? Adding a poll sticker is one of the quickest and most effective ways to make it happen. This simple feature transforms your video from a one-way broadcast into a two-way conversation, instantly boosting engagement and making your audience feel like part of the story. This guide will show you exactly how to create a poll on TikTok, share creative strategies for using them, and explain why this tiny feature can have a big impact on your growth.

Why Use Polls on TikTok? (It's More Than Just a Sticker)

You might see the poll sticker as just another cute accessory for your videos, but it’s a powerful tool for community building and content strategy. When used strategically, polls can have a significant impact on your account's performance and your relationship with your audience.

1. Boosts Engagement and Signals Value

At its core, engagement is interaction. A poll is one of the lowest-friction ways to get someone to interact with your content. It takes less effort to tap an option than it does to think of and type a comment. Every vote on your poll is a positive signal to the TikTok algorithm. It says, "Someone stopped scrolling and interacted with this video," which helps push your content to a wider audience on the For You page.

2. Gathers Instant Audience Feedback

Stop guessing what your audience wants and just ask them. Polls are the perfect tool for instant market research, helping you make informed decisions about your content, products, or brand direction. For example, an e-commerce brand could poll followers on which new t-shirt design to launch, while a content creator could ask which video topic to cover next. The data is direct, immediate, and comes straight from the people who matter most: your community.

3. Builds a Stronger Community

People love to feel included and have their opinions valued. By asking your followers for their input, you’re telling them that they have a voice in your brand or community. This simple act can transform passive viewers into loyal advocates. When you follow up on the results of a poll (more on that later), you close the loop and show your community that you’re not just asking - you’re listening. This builds trust and makes them more invested in your content.

4. Increases Watch Time

Watch time is a champion metric on TikTok. The longer someone spends watching your video, the better. When a viewer stops to read your poll question, consider the options, and tap their answer, they’re spending extra seconds on your video that they might not have otherwise. Those few extra seconds, multiplied across thousands of viewers, can significantly improve your video's overall performance.

How to Make a Poll on TikTok: The Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a poll on TikTok is incredibly straightforward. It's built right into the app's native editing tools. Here’s a breakdown of the process from start to finish.

Step 1: Record or Upload Your Video

Start just like you would with any other TikTok video. Open the app and tap the plus (+) button at the bottom of the screen. You can either record a new video on the spot or upload a pre-recorded clip from your device's camera roll. Put together the visual part of your clip first before moving on to the editing phase.

Step 2: Go to the Editing Screen

Once you’ve recorded or selected your video clips, tap the red checkmark in the bottom-right corner. This will take you to the main editing screen, where you can add sounds, text, filters, and other effects.

Step 3: Open the 'Stickers' Menu

On the right-hand editing toolbar, you'll see a collection of icons. Look for the one that says "Stickers." It typically looks like a square icon with a smiley face or a peeling corner. Tap on it to open the sticker library.

Step 4: Find and Select the 'Poll' Sticker

In the sticker library, you'll see a variety of interactive widgets, trending GIFs, and emojis. At the top of this menu, you'll see a prominent option labeled "Poll." Tap it.

Step 5: Customize Your Question and Answers

A customizable poll sticker will appear on your video preview. You can now edit three text fields:

• The Question: Tap the "Ask a question..." field and type your question. Keep it snappy and engaging.
• The Options: By default, the answers are "Yes" and "No." You can tap each one to customize the text. TikTok currently limits polls to two answer choices.

Once you are happy with the text, tap "Done" at the top of the screen to place the sticker.

Step 6: Place, Resize, and Time Your Poll Sticker

Now that your sticker is on the video, you can adjust its appearance:

• To Move it: Press and hold the poll sticker, then drag it anywhere on the screen. Place it in a spot where it's easy to read but doesn't cover up important visuals or your face.
• To Resize it: Use two fingers to pinch and zoom, just as you would with a photo, to make the sticker larger or smaller.
• To Set the Duration: Tap on the sticker and a menu will pop up. Select "Set duration." You can then trim the ends of the sticker's timeline so it appears and disappears at specific moments in your video. This is great for building suspense and then revealing the poll at the perfect time.

Step 7: Finish Up and Post Your Video

With your poll perfectly placed, go ahead and add any other text, filters, or effects. Tap "Next," and you'll be taken to the final posting screen. Write a compelling caption, add relevant hashtags, tag any accounts, and hit "Post" to share your video with the world.

Creative Ways to Use TikTok Polls for Your Brand

Now that you know how to make a poll, let's explore some strategies that go beyond a simple "Yes/No" question. Here are some creative ideas for using polls to drive your content and connect with your audience.

Ask "This or That" Questions

This is the bread-and-butter of polls. It's a simple, fun, and incredibly effective format. Keep it relevant to your niche for the best results.

• Fashion Blogger: "Which outfit for brunch?" [Option A: Dress] / [Option B: Jeans & Top]
• Food Creator: "The ultimate comfort food..." [Option A: Pizza] / [Option B: Mac & Cheese]
• Book Toker: "Better reading spot?" [Option A: Rainy windowsill] / [Option B: Sunny park bench]

Gamify Your Content with Trivia

Challenge your audience's knowledge and turn your video into a mini-game. This rewards viewers who pay close attention and is a great way to educate them on a topic related to your expertise.

• Fitness Coach: "Which muscle does this exercise primarily target?" [Option A: Biceps] / [Option B: Triceps]
• History Creator: "Was the fork invented before or after the spoon?" [Option A: Before] / [Option B: After]
• Beauty Influencer: "True or False: You should apply concealer before foundation." [Option A: True] / [Option B: False]

Gather Product or Content Ideas Directly

Use polls to co-create content with your audience. This not only gives you tailored ideas but also makes your community feel invested in what you produce.

• Small Business Owner: "What new scent should we make next?" [Option A: Lavender & Sage] / [Option B: Citrus & Basil]
• YouTuber: "Next video topic?" [Option A: My full morning routine] / [Option B: A Q&A session]
• Artist: "Which color palette should I use for my next piece?" [Option A: Warm tones] / [Option B: Cool tones]

Create "Choose Your Own Adventure" Storytelling

If you're creating a story or a series, let your audience decide what happens next. This is a fantastic way to keep people hooked and build anticipation for your next post.

• Travel Vlogger: "We just landed in Rome. What should we do first?" [Option A: Visit the Colosseum] / [Option B: Find the best gelato]
• Sketch Comedian: Create a video that ends on a cliffhanger. "What should my character do?" [Option A: Confront the boss] / [Option B: Quit dramatically]

Final Thoughts

The poll sticker on TikTok is a direct line to your audience - it’s a dynamic tool for enhancing engagement, gathering valuable feedback, and creating a more interactive community. By seamlessly weaving it into your videos, you invite your viewers to become a part of your content creation process, turning them from passersby into genuine brand advocates.

We know how much work goes into creating great content and engaging your community across different platforms. Trying to plan out your TikToks, Reels, Stories, and more can feel overwhelming. That’s why we designed Postbase with a clean, visual calendar that lets you see your entire content schedule at a glance. It helps us streamline our own content strategy, letting us focus on the creative side of things instead of getting bogged down in scheduling chaos.