A new WhatsApp beta update for Android is finally enabling the polling feature inside Channels, with the latest Android beta spilling the details. WhatsApp has been working on polls for Channels since at least November 2023.
The feature will work similarly to polls in 1-1 or group conversations, with votes and participants being anonymized for privacy. Users will be able to create polls with up to 12 options to poll their audience and gather feedback.
Channel admins will have the ability to enable or disable polls for their channels. When creating a poll, there will be options to set a duration for voting, allowing polls to automatically close after a set time.
Once a poll is published in a channel, members will be able to view and vote on the poll without having their identity revealed to the channel admin or other members.
WhatsApp poll results will show summaries of vote percentages, but won’t show who voted for what option. There is also an option for members to retract their vote if they change their minds.
WhatsApp polling feature has gone through developmental stages before appearing in the beta channel, which is usually a signal that the rollout to public users is nearing. The appearance on beta is good news for WhatsApp users who have been awaiting more features for the Channels tool.
Channels were introduced in 2022 to enable one-way broadcasting to an audience, but have been missing some key features that rival platforms offer. Polls should help Channel admins better engage their audiences and gather more meaningful feedback.
WhatsApp rollout of polls to the Android beta indicates iPhone users on iOS won’t have to wait too much longer. WhatsApp frequently rolls out new additions on Android beta first before launching into public beta testing.
WhatsApp shows that WhatsApp’s long-awaited polling feature for Channels is taking shape and is likely to launch in the first half of 2023. The feature brings WhatsApp Channels more in line with competitors and gives more ways for Channel admins to interact with their audience.
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