Yes, it is possible to create polls in WhatsApp group chats. WhatsApp has a built-in polling feature that allows users to create polls and get feedback from other members of the group.
How to create a poll in WhatsApp group chat
Creating polls in WhatsApp is easy and straightforward. Here are the steps to create a poll in a WhatsApp group chat:
- Open the WhatsApp group where you want to create the poll.
- Tap on the attach button (paperclip icon) in the chat bar.
- From the attachment menu, tap on the Poll option.
- Type your poll question in the text field.
- Enter at least two poll options that group members can choose from.
- Tap the Send button to publish the poll.
Once you send the poll, it will appear within the group chat with the question and voting options. Other group members can then cast their vote and see real-time results.
Who can create polls?
Only group admins have the permission to create polls in WhatsApp groups. Regular group members cannot create polls. So if you want to take a poll in your WhatsApp group, either the admin needs to create it or make you an admin temporarily.
Rules and limits for WhatsApp polls
WhatsApp has set some limits on polls to prevent misuse:
- Only 1 poll can be active at a time in a group.
- A group can have a maximum of 100 voting options in a poll.
- Polls are end-to-end encrypted like WhatsApp messages.
- A group member can vote multiple times in a poll before it ends.
- Polls automatically close after 7 days. The creator can manually end it before.
Who can vote in a WhatsApp poll?
All members of the WhatsApp group in which the poll was created can participate and vote. This includes:
- Active members – They will get notified about the poll through in-app notifications.
- Admins – Even admins can vote in a poll they have created.
- Inactive members – If the notification is enabled, they can also vote.
The poll creator can see who voted for what options. But the voters remain anonymous to other members.
Use cases for WhatsApp polls
Here are some potential use cases and scenarios where WhatsApp polls can be helpful:
- Making group decisions – Choosing a meeting date/time, picking a restaurant, etc.
- Getting quick feedback – On ideas, proposals, plans, etc.
- Event planning – Picking decor, food items, activities, etc.
- Making informal votes – Deciding movies, picks for sports matches, etc.
- Team surveys – Employee feedback, satisfaction surveys, etc.
- Group opinions – Knowing views on current affairs, politics, news, etc.
Pros of using WhatsApp polls
- Easy to create and access within WhatsApp.
- Real-time results visible to everyone.
- Allows gathering group opinions quickly.
- Voting is anonymous which allows honest feedback.
- Helps drive engagement and participation in groups.
Cons of WhatsApp polls
- Only 1 active poll at a time per group.
- Maximum 100 options can be added.
- Users can vote multiple times from one account.
- Not suitable for very serious or official polls.
- Results may be skewed if some don’t participate.
WhatsApp poll vs Telegram poll
Along with WhatsApp, Telegram also offers a built-in polling feature. Here is a comparison between WhatsApp and Telegram polls:
| Feature | Telegram | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of options | Up to 100 | Unlimited |
| Multiple choice | No | Yes |
| Quiz mode | No | Yes |
| Anonymous vote | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple voting | Yes | No |
| Poll duration | 7 days max | Unlimited |
As the table shows, Telegram provides more advanced poll features like unlimited options, quiz mode, etc. But WhatsApp polls are simpler and easier to run for basic use cases.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp now allows creating simple polls in group conversations to get quick feedback from participants. While limited in some aspects, it is a handy tool for groups to make casual decisions or gather opinions.
Group admins can leverage WhatsApp polls for voting, surveys, feedback, and engaging members. Just a few taps creates a poll that members can respond to on the fly. The built-in accessibility inside WhatsApp makes it very efficient for quick polls versus external tools.
WhatsApp keeps improving features regularly, so we may see upgrades like allowing multiple polls per group, more options, etc. in the future. But even in its current form, polls add a new dimension for group interactions on the popular messaging platform.