Master PollBot²: Better Polls

Where is the group going this weekend? Which day works for the call? The standard Telegram poll handles half of such tasks, but when you need comments, extra options or exported data, it runs short. Master PollBot² fills that gap. 📊

The bot comes from the NeleBots team and is among the best known poll bots. Here are its features and how to start.

More than one format

Besides ordinary votes, the bot supports several poll types. There are boards where participants leave comments, polls where people can add their own option, and a "participation" type where anyone can subscribe.

That lets you collect ideas, not only votes: suggestions for a meeting topic or items for a to-do list, say.

What you can add to a poll

• Media. A photo, GIF or video makes the poll stand out.
• Link preview. Handy when your question needs a link to a source.
• Cloning. A recurring poll is copied in seconds.
• Permission to share. You can let others send your poll on.

Spam protection and notifications

Boards and appendable polls have an anti-spam option that blocks links and user mentions. In open groups it saves you from ads in the comments.

You can also turn on notifications for new votes and entries. The poll's author sees how the discussion goes without digging through the feed.

Exporting results

You can download results as a file. According to the developer's beta channel, XML and Excel export were added. That helps anyone preparing reports or analyzing answers in spreadsheets.

For a family vote you do not need export, but for research among a community or customers it saves hours.

Creating your first poll

1. Open the bot and send /start to reach the main menu.
2. Choose a poll type and type your question.
3. Add the answer options.
4. Set the parameters: media, anti-spam, notifications.
5. Publish the poll in the chat you want. If you change your mind at any step, /cancel stops the current operation.

You can call the bot in any chat: type its name in the message field, and your polls appear. Pick one and send it. The bot does not have to be added to the chat where you want to share a poll.

Tips for a good poll

A short question beats a long one. Keep answer options to six or fewer, since more blurs the result. If you want honest answers, make the poll anonymous. 🗳

Do not collect personal data in answers unless you need it. Participants see that information in the list, and not everyone wants to reveal it.

Who the bot suits

Channel and chat admins who want to know what their audience thinks. Event organizers collecting preferences on date and place. Teachers and teams who need a quick vote and an exportable result.

If you need one fast question with two options, the built-in Telegram feature is enough. The bot shines when the question is harder: you want comments, custom options, media or a tidy report.

Before a big poll goes out, run a trial with two or three acquaintances. You will spot unclear wording before hundreds of people answer.