LinkedIn launches Polls: What is it, how to use it

Much like the polls on Twitter, LinkedIn users can now reach out within their networks and ask for feedback on a topic or a pick of options to help them reach a decision.

LinkedIn says that amid the current uncertain environment, recruiters, HR heads, marketers, and company heads have all been using the feature in diverse ways to solicit feedback across relevant subjects such as workplace preferences, shopping habits, and key company goals. (Pixabay)

LinkedIn has just announced their ‘Polls' feature today which provides users on the platform an easy way to tap into collective information from professional networks to create opinion and perspective.

Much like the polls on Twitter, LinkedIn users can now reach out within their networks and ask for feedback on a topic or a pick of options to help them reach a decision. 

The company says that amid the current uncertain environment, recruiters, HR heads, marketers, and company heads have all been using the feature in diverse ways to solicit feedback across relevant subjects such as workplace preferences, shopping habits, and key company goals. 

Here's how you create a poll

- Start a new post and click the “Create a Poll” option in the chooser menu

- Type a question, enter up to four answer options, and select the poll's duration—between 24 hours and up to two weeks

- Write up a post to go along with the poll—you can include hashtags to help your poll get more attention

- Push the poll live to either connections, specific Groups you are part of, or to anyone across the LinkedIn network. By targeting specific Groups with the poll, members can get even more relevant insights.

How you can use these results

While the poll collects insights from the network, you can also keep an eye on the activity in real time, such as how many votes have been cast thus far, results for each option, and how much time is left for voting.

Only the poll creator can see who voted and what they cast their vote for.

Once the poll closes, all the pertinent information is available in one place: the winning option, the percentage of votes for each option and the total vote count. The feature also allows the surveyors to message voters directly from within the poll, to get deeper insights and to stay in touch with the connections.

Polls will be rolled out globally to all members on mobile and desktop over the next few weeks.