Ultra.
Engaging with your audience while live streaming is key to success as a content creator. Outside of simply chatting, asking your audience questions, etc., one effective way to do this is by running live polls that let viewers weigh in on topics in real-time. While YouTube offers native polling options, Streamlabs Desktop has made it even easier to run polls directly through its chat function, enhancing the overall live streaming experience.
In this article, we’ll explore how to run polls on YouTube via your Streamlabs Desktop chat.
Jump Ahead:
- How to Run Polls on YouTube using Streamlabs Desktop Chat
- How to Run Polls on YouTube using Streamlabs Polls Widget
What’s New with Streamlabs Desktop Chat?
Streamlabs Desktop recently introduced the ability to create and manage polls directly within its chat interface for YouTube live streams. Unlike YouTube’s native poll feature, these polls are integrated into Streamlabs, allowing you to customize the polling experience while maintaining control over how it appears in your stream.
In this article, we’ll cover how to run polls on YouTube using the Streamlabs Desktop Chat feature, plus more ways to customize your poll.
How to Run Polls on YouTube Using Streamlabs Desktop Chat
Step 1: Launch your live stream as you usually would using Streamlabs Desktop (visit this guide if you need help getting started). Ensure that your chat window is visible and active within the software.
Step 2: From the Streamlabs Desktop chat panel, click the plus sign (+) then Poll button. This will open a menu where you can enter your poll question and multiple answer options. After setting it up, click Start Poll, and your poll will automatically be visible at the top of the chat window
.
Step 3: Watch the votes come in through the Streamlabs chat. If you need to end the poll, simply click the End Poll button within the chat. The final results will be displayed directly in the chat, allowing your viewers to see the outcome.
P.S. If you’re already using Streamlabs’ poll widget in your live stream (more information below), the chat polls you create via Streamlabs Desktop chat will sync seamlessly with it, including customizations. Ensure the poll type is set to YouTube in your browser settings (from your Streamlabs Dashboard).
How to Run Polls on YouTube (Using Streamlabs Cloudbot & Polls Widget)
This integration allows you to display the poll’s results on your stream as a part of your overlay while managing the poll entirely from the Streamlabs chat.
Below are the steps for setting up the polls widget.
Configuring your Poll
Step 1: Login into your Streamlabs Dashboard and head to your Cloudbot settings page (under Stream Essentials).
Step 2: Click on the Polls tab from the top and click on Add Poll Profile.
Step 3: Add a title for your poll and add a command that people can use to vote for options. You must include at least two options. After you’ve finished updating your poll, click Done.
Step 4: Your new poll should automatically show on your Cloudbot settings page. If it does not, try refreshing the page. Click Start Poll to make your poll available to your viewers.
Once you’ve created your poll, you can also customize the look and feel of the widget from your Streamlabs Dashboard here.
Add Poll Source to Live Stream
Step 1: Launch Streamlabs Desktop, go to the sources tab, and click on Add a New Source.
Step 2: Click on Poll, then Add Source to add the widget to your live stream.
Step 3: Once you’ve added your Poll widget as a source, your viewers will see it on screen and can use the chat to vote by plugging in the respective command for responses.
Why Use Streamlabs Desktop for YouTube Polls?
Streamlined Setup: The polls created in Streamlabs are fully customizable and integrate with your existing overlays and widgets.
Enhanced Control: Manage your polls and view the results without leaving Streamlabs Desktop.
Consistency: If you’re already using Streamlabs for your stream setup, the poll integration keeps everything within one platform, simplifying your workflow.
Whether you’re using it for quick feedback, fun trivia, or to guide the conversation, Streamlabs Desktop is a powerful tool for streamlining your live poll experience.