WhatsApp polls vs a proper date poll: when the built-in one is enough

What a WhatsApp poll is great at

One question, one tap, no link, no app switch, and everybody sees it. For 'pizza or curry?' it is unbeatable and you should just use it.

Where it falls over

It scrolls away. An hour of chat later, nobody can find it, and the two people who had not answered never will. There is no deadline, no reminder and no way to see who has not looked.

It also stops at the vote. Nothing turns the result into a booking, a time, a place or a calendar entry — that is still you, in the chat, at 11pm.

The rule of thumb

If the answer matters for the next ten minutes, use a WhatsApp poll. If it decides something happening next month, use something that holds its state.

• A link that stays put at the top of the chat.
• A visible tally of who is in, who is a maybe and who has not looked.
• A deadline, and a nudge to the people who need it.
• A confirmation that turns into a calendar entry.

You can use both

Most groups do. Poll the chat for the idea, then send one link to settle the date and lock it in.