This or That IG Story Ideas to Boost Engagement
Learn how to create engaging “This or That” Instagram Stories with niche themes, interactive polls, and eye-catching designs to boost audience interaction.
Introduction to "This or That" Instagram Stories for Engagement
If you’re looking to boost audience interaction and showcase your brand personality, “This or That” Instagram Stories are a simple yet powerful tool. This interactive story format presents two clear options, encouraging quick participation while offering valuable insight into follower preferences. In this guide, you’ll learn how to create, theme, and optimize “This or That” stories to grow your reach and deepen connections on Instagram.
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What Are “This or That” Instagram Stories and Why They Work
“This or That” Instagram Stories are interactive slides that present two distinct choices, inviting your audience to vote for their preferred option. Examples include: Coffee ☕ or Tea 🍵?, Beach 🏖️ or Mountains 🏔️?
The format works because it’s simple, visually engaging, and quick for viewers to participate. By lowering the barrier for interaction, you attract more responses from both casual viewers and loyal followers.
Why They Capture Attention
- Simplicity: Just one slide and two choices — easy to digest.
- Interactivity: Poll stickers make voting effortless.
- Curiosity Loop: Viewers are keen to see final results.
- Consistency: A repeatable concept adaptable to fresh topics.
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Benefits for Engagement, Brand Personality, and Audience Interaction
Increased Story Engagement
Instagram’s algorithm tends to favor interactive polls, often increasing reach and impressions.
Showcasing Brand Personality
Your unique “This or That” choices can reflect your tone and style. For example, a playful fashion brand might ask Sneakers or Heels?, while a travel creator might pose City Break or Road Trip?
Building Stronger Audience Connections
Followers enjoy content where their input matters. This format fosters a sense of involvement and helps you understand their tastes.
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Choosing a Theme That Matches Your Niche
When “This or That” questions are relevant to your niche, followers are more likely to engage. Here are thematic suggestions:
| Niche | Example “This or That” Questions |
|---|---|
| Fashion | Leather Jacket or Denim Jacket? |
| Travel | Tropical Island or Snowy Mountains? |
| Food | Pasta Night or Taco Tuesday? |
| Lifestyle | Morning Workout or Evening Yoga? |
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Researching Trending Topics and Seasonal Themes
Stay timely with your polls:
- Seasonal: Pumpkin Spice vs. Hot Cocoa in autumn.
- Events: FIFA vs. NBA during sports finals.
- Pop Culture: Characters from trending shows or movies.
Leverage Instagram search and trending hashtags to spot hot topics.
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Tools and Apps for Designing Interactive IG Story Templates
To make your polls visually appealing:
- Canva: Large selection of customizable templates.
- Over by GoDaddy: Mobile-friendly design interface.
- Adobe Express: Professional design features.
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Creating Visually Appealing Layouts
Your design impacts participation:
- Color Palettes: Use consistent brand colors for recognition.
- Fonts: Choose legible fonts; bold for “This” and “That” labels.
- Images: Use high-quality, relevant visuals for each option.
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Writing Clear, Concise “This or That” Options
Clarity is essential for engagement:
- Keep options short (1–3 words).
- Avoid jargon or complex terminology.
- Make choices distinct and relatable.
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Mixing Fun, Personal, and Niche-Specific Questions
A varied mix keeps your audience interested:
- Fun: Cats or Dogs?
- Personal: Stay In or Go Out?
- Niche-Specific: For food bloggers — Vegan Pizza or Meat Lovers?
Rotate categories for freshness.
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Using Polls to Collect Responses and Boost Algorithm Reach
Instagram’s Poll Sticker allows for interactive voting. Increased participation can:
- Elevate engagement rates.
- Improve algorithmic visibility.
- Provide useful audience insights.
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Sharing Results and Engaging With Responses
When the poll ends, you can:
- Share results via screenshot.
- Send DMs or mention voters.
- Thank participants publicly to build rapport.
![stats]()
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Analyzing Story Insights to See What Resonates Best
Monitor your results via Instagram Insights to track:
- Views per Slide
- Interaction Rate
- Completion Rate
Identify high-performing topics and replicate your most successful formats.
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Tips for Consistency and Encouraging Shares
- Establish a recurring series (e.g., “This or That Fridays”).
- Create branded hashtags for your polls.
- Invite followers to repost slides to their own stories.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too Many Options: Stick to two for clear voting.
- Low-Quality Visuals: Reduce confusion by using high-resolution images.
- Irrelevant Polls: Keep them niche-specific to maintain relevance.
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Repurposing “This or That” Content
Extend the life of your polls by:
- Animating top results into Reels.
- Posting carousels with winning options.
- Saving polls in a dedicated Highlights reel for newcomers.
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Summary and Next Steps
“This or That” Instagram Stories are an engaging, low-effort tactic to increase reach, express your brand identity, and build community. By combining relevant themes, appealing visuals, concise wording, and consistent posting, you can keep your followers swiping and tapping for months.
Ready to boost your Instagram engagement? Start crafting your first “This or That” series today and watch your interactions grow.
