How to Stop Fake and Duplicate Votes in an Online Poll
Quick answer
Online polls stop duplicate votes with three main checks: a browser cookie (one vote per browser), an IP limit (one vote per network) and a device check (one vote per phone across browsers). For public polls shared on social media, one vote per device is usually the best balance.
The three common methods
| Method | Blocks | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| One vote per browser (cookie) | Voting twice in the same browser | Another browser or incognito window can vote again |
| One vote per IP | Voting twice from the same network | Blocks families and offices sharing Wi-Fi or mobile networks |
| One vote per device | Same phone voting again in other browsers or incognito | A determined person with several phones can still vote more |
Which should you choose?
For polls shared on WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, choose one vote per device. Use one vote per IP only for small, closed groups on different networks.
Other good habits
- Don't offer prizes for voting.
- Watch for sudden bursts of votes for one option.
- Close the poll when the voting period ends.