Why are readers of hubs so reticent to participate in included polls? It is ver

1. 86

   My Esotericposted 12 years ago

   Why are readers of hubs so reticent to participate in included polls?  It is very frustrating.

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2. 83

   tonymead60posted 12 years ago

   I've no idea, why don't they leave a comment too? Some are only interested in what they have to say.

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3. 0

   Nick Lucasposted 12 years ago

   It can be frustrating I know.......but maybe because they do not have an opinion or take the time to fully read a piece and poll which is to their own disadvantage as reading on any issue brings knowledge even if you disagree....knowledge is power

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4. 80

   SpiffyDposted 12 years ago

   It is somewhat frustrating indeed, but it is fairly common. Many persons even read hubs without clicking the feedback buttons even if they find it's a great hub (as seen in the comments). In addition, some web readers are merely looking for a good read and may bypass the polls without a second thought.
   
   Another factor could be the location of the polls and how interesting the poll question actually is. I remember someone putting a poll asking how interesting the hub was (I overlooked that poll since I use the buttons for that type of feedback). Click-Through-Ratios for web content can be very low, so participation could well be a numbers game as well. If not more than 5% of readers are willing to check a box in the poll, you need high traffic to get any meaningful poll results.

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      abrodechposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      i agree. On one of my hubs that's received over 2,000 views alone, I've only had about 20 people answer my poll question on there

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5. 88

   Cardisaposted 12 years ago

   I think it should be a matter of choice. I have a poll based hub and it has a lot of comments but only a few persons actually participated in the poll.  I don't mind because reading a hub and participating in a poll should be the reader's choice. If they are not comfortable doing the poll it's okay.
   
   The point is whatever you do here on HP should be a matter of choice.

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6. 56

   PETER LUMETTAposted 12 years ago

   Have yo considered the option that someone doesn't comment or participate in a poll because they didn't like the article? But not bad enough to give it a vote down. And sometimes there is not a lot of time to do more. Some of the polls are silly sometimes or so slanted there is no reason to answer.

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7. 72

   Weekend Readerposted 12 years ago

   I've seen a number of polls provided that didn't have any answer that I agreed with or preferred.  Polls are supposed to be fun, not an obligation.

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8. 86

   tsmogposted 12 years ago

   It may be they don't understand the polls are anonymous? Or, like Peter said they are not objective or offer a 'I dun'no' option. I use polls sometimes for fact or research. I have had some success, yet very little. This question has given me food for thought for future usage. Thanks for asking it.

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      abrodechposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      i think that people who are new to hubpages, or are from outside of hubpages might be nervous about answering polls because they don't know (or don't believe) that the results are completely anonymous, especially for more "sensitive" questions

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   FloraBreenRobisonposted 12 years ago

   This often happens  with my polls. I'm not sure why  in general, but in terms of some  polls, maybe it is hard to make a choice. For example, for my poll on female mystery writers, people tend to know which they prefer, but right below it is a hard boiled poll, and  it is not so easy for them to choose between, say Chandler and Hammett.

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10. 0

    Indigitalposted 12 years ago

    I only have one Hub that has really flourished, about the game 'Fruit Ninja' - I put a poll up asking "What is your highest score?" - I've had more than 400 poll votes, I believe. I think the votes depends on the type of question, if it's involved with the Hub, they'll be more likely to vote; if it's asking how good this hub was, or irrelevant questions, it'll more likely be bypassed.

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11. 73

    relacheposted 12 years ago

    I have a poll that has received over 13,000 answers.  What do you mean by reticent?
    
    If you keep the question really relevant to a timely and possibly emotional facet of your topic, you'll get plenty of participation.

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       abrodechposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       13,000?!?!? wow!! Good for you!

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12. 86

    My Esotericposted 12 years ago

    An interesting set of ideas presented.  I do try to keep my questions topical to the hub and I hope I don't come across sounding like it is an obligation that readers need to vote; I just think it is an easy way to express an opinion, including a no opinion which I try to remember to include.  It is much easier, in my way of thinking, than writing a comment, but comments do seem to be the preference; which is good.
    
    An interesting anecdote.  I had one hub that actually hit a Google headline or something and it brougt in about about 100 in one day, for me, that is a lot of hits, yet not one vote!  I made a comment about how surprised I was, which is how I found out why I received so many visits; it was very left-handed compliment about the Google headline but the readers problably not liking my dribble, and left without voting.  Anyway, the next day, I received more votes than any poll before or since, go figure.

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    randomizingposted 12 years ago

    i couldn't agree more with you. I mean it is just a  simple question that could be answered in half a second and if it is a quiz, it certainly won't take a life time.. i guess people can't be bothered sometimes... and it is just irritating..

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