Highlights
1. Instagram is testing the ability to create polls in the comment section of posts on the platform.
2. The feature is currently being tested and only the original poster will be able to make polls.
3. This feature has been requested by users on the Threads app, but Instagram is implementing it first.
4. Instagram is adding more features to comments to increase user engagement and keep users on the app longer.
Instagram Testing Polls in Comments
Instagram is currently testing a new feature that allows users to create polls in the comment section of their posts. Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, confirmed this development, stating that it is likely related to the Threads app rather than just Instagram itself.
By testing this feature, Instagram is providing creators with another way to engage with their audience and boost their content’s interaction. However, only the original poster will have the ability to create these polls, ensuring that trolls cannot disrupt or manipulate the voting process.
Although this feature is currently being tested on a small scale, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, announced that it will be rolled out to all users in the near future.
Interestingly, polls have been highly requested on Threads, Instagram’s messaging app, for quite some time. This decision to prioritize Instagram over Threads could mean that the feature will soon be integrated into both platforms. The inclusion of polls on Instagram would be particularly beneficial for posts that revolve around a specific question.
From the screenshot shared by Mosseri, it seems that the functionality of polls will resemble that of Instagram Stories. Users will be able to see the total number of votes for each option, but the individual votes of respondents will remain anonymous.
This addition of polls to the comment section is just one among several recent updates aimed at enhancing user engagement on Instagram. The platform recently introduced the ability to add GIFs in the comments, which has been well-received. Additionally, users can now make lists and share them with specific individuals, further increasing time spent on the app and exposure to advertisements.
