How to Use Instagram New Video Polls for Product Testing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Instagram Stories Video Polls for Product Feedback

In the competitive world of social media, engaging with your audience is key to building a strong online presence. One of the most effective tools for audience interaction is the poll sticker on Instagram Stories. Whether you’re looking to test a new product or service, decide on a new profile picture, or simply boost your Instagram engagement, polls are a powerful and easy-to-use feature.

Instagram polls offer a unique way to engage with your audience by letting them participate in quick, interactive decisions. By using polls to create conversations and gather feedback, businesses, creators, and individuals can learn what resonates with their followers. Whether it’s a classic poll that allows users to choose between two options, or creative Instagram poll ideas designed to inspire, this tool can help you drive engagement and grow your brand.

In this article, we’ll explore how to create a poll on Instagram, share practical steps to create an Instagram poll, and discuss ways to use Instagram polls for gathering feedback. Plus, we’ll highlight polls to engage your audience, strategies to boost your engagement and tips for analyzing the poll results. By the end, you’ll have the insights you need to take full advantage of Instagram’s polling features and connect with your followers in meaningful ways.

Why Instagram’s Video Polls Are Perfect for Product Testing

Instagram’s poll sticker has become a popular tool for businesses and creators looking to engage with their audience while gathering meaningful feedback. These polls are an excellent tool for testing a product or service, as they allow you to instantly connect with your followers and get real-time opinions. Here’s why Instagram polls provide the perfect opportunity for product testing.

Benefits of Using Video Polls for Testing Products

1. Instant Feedback: By adding a poll to your stories, you can quickly get your audience to vote in your poll and gather insights. This is especially useful when testing a new product or service, as it gives you immediate results on preferences.
2. High Engagement: Instagram polls offer an interactive way to boost your engagement. A poll allows users to feel involved in your brand decisions, making them more likely to stay connected and invested in your future offerings.
3. Ease of Use: Creating a poll on Instagram is as simple as tapping the poll sticker, writing your poll question, and letting your followers choose between two options or more. This makes it a hassle-free option for both creators and businesses.
4. Audience Insights: Whether you’re asking about product features, packaging design, or marketing ideas, polls allow you to get direct input from your audience. You can even see who voted, helping you understand your most engaged followers.

When planning the launch of my new online course, I shared a series of polls over a week to build anticipation. I started with an Instagram poll sticker asking my followers, ‘What topics do you struggle with most?’ The next day, I posted another poll: ‘Would you prefer live sessions or pre-recorded lessons?’ By the end of the week, I had not only gathered valuable insights but also created excitement around my launch. Seeing people interact with my stories and vote in the polls gave me confidence that my course was something they truly wanted.

How Instagram Engagement Boosts Your Product Insights

When you use polls to gather opinions, you’re not just collecting random data—you’re gaining insights from the people who matter most: your followers. Here’s how Instagram engagement amplifies your product testing efforts:

• Polls Allow You to Ask Targeted Questions: Whether it’s a classic poll or an emoji slider poll, each poll type is designed to encourage participation. For instance, you can ask your followers to choose between two options for a product design or color preference.
• Polls Are Fun and Engaging: Followers are more likely to engage with interactive features like polls, making this a way to boost your Instagram engagement naturally. For example, a poll question like “Which logo design do you prefer?” lets your audience feel like they’re contributing to your brand’s decisions.
• See the Results Instantly: After the poll ends, you can view the results, including the percentage of votes for each option and the votes each option received. This information helps you make informed decisions about your product or service.

Once, I ran a fun poll to connect with my audience on a lighter note. I asked, ‘What’s your favorite weekend activity?’ with two options: ‘Netflix binge’ or ‘Outdoor adventures.’ This wasn’t tied to any product, but it was a fun poll to keep my audience engaged and interacting with my content. The responses helped me understand my audience’s preferences better, which I later used to tailor my campaigns.

Steps to Create an Instagram Video Poll

Creating a poll on Instagram is a straightforward process that can help you engage with your audience and gather valuable insights. By following these steps to create an Instagram poll, you’ll be able to leverage this feature to test a product or service and boost engagement on your Instagram Stories.

How to Add a Poll Sticker to Your Instagram Stories

1. Start a New Story: Open the Instagram app and tap the button at the bottom to create a new story. You can upload a video or record one directly within the app.
2. Tap the Sticker Icon: Once you’ve created your story, tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen. This will bring up Instagram’s interactive features, including the poll sticker.
3. Select the Poll Sticker: From the sticker menu, choose the poll sticker. This will add an interactive poll to your story, allowing you to customize your poll question and answer options.
4. Write Your Poll Question: Enter your question in the text box. For example, if you’re testing a product, you might ask, “Which packaging design do you prefer?” or “Would you buy this product?”
5. Customize the Answer Options: By default, the poll sticker offers two options for answers, such as “Yes” or “No.” However, you can customize these to suit your needs, such as “Option A” and “Option B.”
6. Share Your Poll: Once your poll is set up, tap the button to share your poll with your followers by posting it to your story.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Instagram Polls

If you want to take full advantage of Instagram’s polling features, here’s a detailed breakdown of how to create different types of polls:

1. Classic Poll: This poll type is the most commonly used and allows users to choose between two options. Use this for simple decisions, like selecting between two colors, logos, or taglines.
2. Emoji Slider Poll: Another fun option is the emoji slider poll, which lets your followers rate a product or idea using an emoji. This is a great way to measure enthusiasm or interest levels.
3. Instagram Quizzes: While not a traditional poll, Instagram offers a quiz feature where you can add multiple options for followers to choose from. This is ideal for testing knowledge or gauging preferences for multiple products.
4. Multiple-Option Polls: Some poll stickers allow you to add more than two options to your poll. This is helpful if you’re testing several features, like flavors for a product or styles for a clothing line.
5. Creative Poll Ideas: Think outside the box by incorporating Instagram poll ideas to inspire your followers. For example, ask them to help you choose a new profile picture or weigh in on a new product name.
6. Check the Poll Results: After your poll has run its course, you can view the results by swiping up on your story. This will show you the votes each option received, the percentage of votes, and allow you to see who voted. Use this data to make informed decisions about your next steps.

According to a report by Hootsuite in 2023, 500 million users interact with Instagram Stories daily, making it one of the most effective ways to reach and engage audiences.

Instagram Poll Ideas to Inspire Your Product Testing

When it comes to testing a product or service on Instagram, polls are one of the most interactive and versatile tools you can use. With endless possibilities for creativity, Instagram polls provide an opportunity to engage your audience while gathering valuable feedback. Here are some poll ideas to inspire your next campaign.

Types of Polls You Can Use to Test Products

1. Classic Polls to Compare Two Options: The classic poll allows you to present two options and ask followers to choose their favorite. For instance:
   • “Which color do you prefer for this product?”
   • “Would you buy this new service?”

   This poll type is great for making decisions quickly and involving your audience in your brand’s journey.

2. Emoji Slider Polls for Measuring Interest: The emoji slider poll is perfect for gauging excitement levels or preferences. For example:
   • “How excited are you for this launch? 🥳”
   • “Rate this product idea using the slider!”

   The results of this poll type can give you a better understanding of how enthusiastic your audience is about your offering.

3. Polls to Create Anticipation: Use polls to tease your audience with upcoming launches or ideas. For example:
   • “Do you want a sneak peek at our new collection?”
   • “Should we release this product sooner or later?”

   These polls are a great way to build excitement and boost your Instagram engagement.

4. Decision-Making Polls: Let your audience weigh in on important decisions, such as:
   • “Help us choose a new flavor! 🍫 vs 🍓”
   • “Which logo design do you prefer?”

   By involving your audience, these polls allow you to get buy-in and make your followers feel like they’re part of your creative process.

Creative Instagram Poll Ideas to Engage Your Audience

Looking for more inspiration? Here are unique ways to use Instagram polls creatively:

1. Would You Rather Polls: Ask your audience fun “Would you rather” questions related to your products or services. For example:
   • “Would you rather see a summer or winter collection next?”
   • “Would you rather have free shipping or a discount?”

   These polls are fun and an engaging way to keep your followers interacting with your content.

2. Testing Marketing Ideas: Use polls to validate campaign ideas or product names, such as:
   • “Which tagline do you like better?”
   • “What should we call this product: Option A or Option B?”
3. Behind-the-Scenes Polls: Let your followers feel like they’re part of your team by sharing behind-the-scenes decisions, like:
   • “Should we use this design or keep it simple?”
   • “Which packaging design should we go with?”
4. Polls with Multiple Rounds: Create a series of polls to engage your audience over multiple stories. For example:
   • “Vote for your favorite design in round one!”
   • “Here are the finalists—pick the winner!”
5. Humorous Polls: Keep things lighthearted with fun, playful questions, like:
   • “Pick a team: Pineapple on pizza 🍍 or no pineapple 🙅‍♀️?”
   • “Should we make a cat-sized version of this sweater? 🐱”

These Instagram polls offer creative ways to engage your audience, test ideas, and gather useful feedback. Whether you’re deciding between two options or asking an open-ended poll question, polls are an excellent way to boost your engagement and make your followers feel included.

Tips to Drive Engagement with Instagram Polls

Using polls effectively requires more than just adding a poll sticker to your story. To maximize results, it’s important to think strategically about how you create Instagram polls, share them, and analyze the poll results. Here are some proven tips to boost engagement and get the most out of your polling efforts.

Ways to Use Instagram Polls for Maximum Engagement

1. Ask Specific and Simple Questions: When you create a poll, make sure your poll question is clear and easy to answer. Avoid complicated or vague questions, and instead focus on straightforward ones like:
   • “Which feature do you like best?”
   • “Should we launch this product in July or August?”

   Simple questions encourage more people to participate, increasing your Instagram engagement.

2. Use Polls to Create Anticipation: Build excitement for your product or service by teasing launches or updates with polls. For example:
   • “Do you want a sneak peek at our next big launch?”
   • “Should we reveal the new product today or tomorrow?”

   These types of polls not only boost your engagement but also keep your audience eagerly waiting for your next post.

3. Include Fun and Playful Polls: Not every poll has to be serious or product-focused. Polls are a great way to inject humor or personality into your content. For instance:
   • “What’s your go-to coffee order? ☕ Espresso vs. Latte”
   • “Which team are you on? Cats 🐱 or Dogs 🐶?”

   These lighthearted polls make your brand more relatable and approachable.

4. Incorporate Visual Appeal: Use vibrant, eye-catching images or videos in the background of your polls to draw attention. For instance, when using the poll sticker, showcase your product or design mockups to make the question more engaging.
5. Add a Poll to Your Stories Regularly: Consistency is key. By making polls a regular part of your Instagram Stories, you’ll train your followers to expect interactive content, which can drive engagement over time.

Research conducted in 2023 by Social Media Today found that adding interactive elements like poll stickers can increase engagement rates on Instagram Stories by up to 25% compared to stories without interactive features.

How to Share Your Poll and View the Results

1. Share the Poll Strategically: Timing matters when sharing your poll. Post your story during peak engagement hours, such as evenings or weekends, when your followers are most active on the Instagram app.
2. Encourage Participation: Use text overlays or captions to remind followers to vote in your poll. For example:
   • “Tap to vote and help us decide!”
   • “Let us know your opinion—we value your input!”

   These small reminders can significantly increase participation.

3. View the Results and Analyze Data: Once your poll ends, you can swipe up on your story to see the results, including the total number of votes, the percentage of votes, and who voted for each option. Use this data to inform decisions about your next product or service launch.
4. Share the Results with Your Followers: After collecting the poll results, consider sharing them in a follow-up story. For example:
   • “Thanks for voting! 65% of you chose Option A!”
   • “We loved hearing your feedback—Option B was the clear winner!”

   This helps build a sense of community and lets your audience know their opinions matter.

5. Combine Polls with Other Features: Pair your polls with Instagram quizzes, the emoji slider poll, or question stickers to create a fully interactive story sequence. For example, after a poll allows you to ask a question, follow up with a quiz to dig deeper into your audience’s preferences.

By implementing these tips, you can take full advantage of Instagram’s polling features and create interactive content that resonates with your followers. Polls allow you to get quick and valuable feedback while simultaneously increasing your Instagram engagement and strengthening your brand’s connection with its audience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Instagram Polls

While Instagram polls provide an excellent way to connect with your followers and gather insights, there are some common pitfalls that can reduce their effectiveness. To ensure your polls achieve the best results, it’s essential to avoid these mistakes and use the poll results wisely.

What Not to Do When Creating an Instagram Poll

1. Making Questions Too Complicated: Avoid crafting long or overly complex poll questions. Followers are less likely to engage if they don’t understand what you’re asking. Instead, keep your polls simple and easy to answer, such as:
   • “Do you prefer Option A or Option B?”
   • “Should we launch in spring or summer?”

   Simple questions help followers quickly get them to engage with your story.

2. Ignoring Visual Design: A poorly designed poll can turn followers away. For instance, avoid cluttering your story with text that makes the poll sticker hard to see. Use clear visuals, contrasting colors, and images that complement your poll to make it more appealing.
3. Posting Polls at the Wrong Time: If you share your poll when your audience is less active on the Instagram app, it may not get the engagement you’re hoping for. Use insights to find your peak activity times and post your polls when your audience is most likely to vote.
4. Not Adding Context: If your poll question isn’t clear, your audience may not understand what they’re voting on. For example, instead of asking, “Which do you prefer?” clarify the options with a description like “Which packaging design do you like: sleek (A) or bold (B)?”
5. Failing to Follow Up: If you don’t share the poll results, your audience might feel like their votes didn’t matter. Always follow up with a story that showcases the results of your Instagram polls and thank your audience for participating.

How to Use Instagram Poll Results Effectively

1. Analyze the Data: Once your poll ends, take time to study the votes each option received, the percentage of votes, and the total number of participants. This information can give you a clear idea of what your audience prefers and guide your decisions.
2. Combine Poll Insights with Other Feedback: While polls are a quick way to gather opinions, they might not provide enough detail for major decisions. Pair your poll results with other methods, like direct messages or surveys, to gain deeper insights.
3. Use Results to Inform Your Next Steps: Whether you’re choosing between two flavors for a product or deciding on a marketing campaign direction, use the poll results to finalize your decision. For example:
   • If 80% of voters prefer Option A, you can confidently move forward with it.
   • If the results are close, consider running a second poll to refine the feedback further.
4. Engage with Participants: Take the opportunity to thank those who voted and engage with them. You can DM voters or post stories asking for more detailed input. This builds stronger connections with your audience.
5. Experiment with Poll Types: Test different kinds of polls, such as the emoji slider poll or quiz poll, to see what resonates most with your audience. This experimentation can help you determine the most effective ways to boost your Instagram engagement.

By avoiding these mistakes and effectively using the results of your Instagram polls, you can create a stronger connection with your audience and make more informed decisions. Whether you’re testing a new profile picture, deciding on a product or service, or simply trying to boost your engagement, polls are a reliable and interactive way to achieve your goals.

In 2023, Glossier, a beauty brand known for its community-driven approach, used Instagram polls to test new product concepts. For one campaign, they posted an Instagram Story poll asking followers to choose between two options for a limited-edition packaging design. Over 30,000 followers participated, and the winning design sold out within 24 hours of its launch.

The campaign highlighted how polls can be used to create a sense of exclusivity and excitement among followers, while also gathering valuable feedback to inform their product decisions. Glossier’s strategic use of polls also increased their overall story engagement by 40% during the campaign period.

Conclusion

Instagram polls are an excellent way to connect with your audience, gather valuable insights, and boost your Instagram engagement. By leveraging features like the poll sticker and emoji slider poll, you can create interactive content that resonates with your followers and makes them feel involved in your brand decisions.

From learning how to create a poll on Instagram to exploring creative Insta poll ideas, this guide has shown you the tools and strategies to make the most out of Instagram’s interactive features. Whether you’re testing a product or service, deciding on a new profile picture, or simply finding fun ways to engage with your audience, polls offer a direct and dynamic way to spark meaningful conversations.

Remember, success with polls lies in asking the right questions, analyzing the poll results, and using that feedback to refine your approach. So, the next time you want to test an idea, gather opinions, or simply drive engagement, don’t hesitate to add a poll to your stories. Your followers are just one tap away from helping you make better, data-driven decisions for your brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative ways to use Instagram polls for engagement?

Instagram polls can be used in creative ways to engage your audience and gather feedback. For example, you can ask followers to help you decide on a new profile picture, choose between two product designs, or vote on content ideas for your next post. Instagram polls to engage your audience are not just about feedback—they’re also about making your followers feel connected to your brand.

What types of Instagram polls are best for feedback?

The type of poll is great when it aligns with your goal. For example:

• Two-option polls are ideal for making quick decisions, like selecting between two designs or color choices.
• Quiz polls allow you to test your audience’s knowledge or preferences.
• Emoji slider polls help gauge enthusiasm for a new idea or product.
  These are just a few examples of the Instagram polls you can use to gather feedback effectively.

Can I add more options to my Instagram poll?

While the default Instagram poll stickers allow you to offer two options, you can include multiple choices by using Instagram’s quiz feature. With the quiz option, you can add more options for your audience to select from. This is especially helpful when you’re testing different flavors, designs, or content topics.

How often should I use polls on Instagram Stories?

Using polls consistently is key to building an engaging Instagram presence. For best results, try to include a poll in at least one Instagram Story poll per week. This keeps your audience actively participating in your content. You can also experiment by posting a series of polls to maintain interest, especially when launching a new product or collecting feedback over time.

How can Instagram polls help build my presence on Instagram?

Instagram polls allow you to connect with your followers, making your content more interactive and memorable. By including polls in your stories, you encourage participation, which boosts your presence on Instagram. Additionally, polls help you gather insights that can guide your content strategy, ensuring you’re delivering what your audience wants. This combination of interaction and data makes polls a useful Instagram feature for growth.

Author Bio