Choose the right poll format when comparing 3-8 options to get actionable insights.
Summary
PickFu offers four poll types for testing 3-8 options: Single Select, Multi Select, Ranked, and Round Robin.
When to use / prerequisites
Use when you have 3-8 options to test
Available on all PickFu plans
Consider your research goal before choosing poll type
Poll types for multiple options
Single Select (For factual/binary choices)
Best for: Questions with only one logical answer (e.g., "How many kids do you have?")
How it works: Respondents choose only their top choice and explain why
Sample size: 50+ respondents recommended
Select Single Select as your poll type
Upload 3-8 options (images, text, or combinations)
Write a clear question (e.g., "Which book cover would make you most likely to buy?")
Set your audience and launch
Single Select is designed for questions with only one logical answer. For creative decisions across multiple appealing options, use Ranked polls instead—Single Select may not surface a clear winner when testing subjective preferences.
Multi Select (For understanding broad appeal)
Best for: Understanding which options have appeal (respondents can select multiple)
How it works: Respondents select all options that appeal to them
Sample size: 50+ respondents recommended
Select Multi Select as your poll type
Upload 3-8 options
Write a question encouraging multiple selections (e.g., "Which features would you use?")
Review results to see appeal percentages
Sort Multi Select results by selection count and scan comments for recurring pairings. If many respondents select the same options together, that reveals natural bundle opportunities for packaging or messaging.
Ranked (Recommended for finding a winner)
Best for: Finding the most preferred option using instant runoff tallying
How it works: Respondents rank all options from best to worst; PickFu determines the winner through instant runoff voting
Sample size: 100+ respondents recommended for reliable ranking
Select Ranked as your poll type
Upload 3-8 options
Ask respondents to rank by preference
Get weighted ranking results
Ranked polls deliver a majority-backed winner through instant runoff voting, even when no option receives 50%+ first-place votes initially. This makes it the most reliable format for identifying a true champion across multiple options.
Round Robin (For comprehensive comparison)
Best for: Understanding how each option performs against every other option in direct comparisons
How it works: Creates all possible pairwise comparisons (A vs B, B vs C, A vs C, etc.) and determines winners through head-to-head matchups
Sample size: 50+ respondents recommended per matchup
Select Round Robin as your poll type
Upload 3-8 options
PickFu automatically creates all pairwise combinations
Review head-to-head results and overall winner
With 5 options, a Round Robin poll creates 10 unique matchups (A vs. B, A vs. C, A vs. D, A vs. E, B vs. C, B vs. D, B vs. E, C vs. D, C vs. E, D vs. E). Each matchup generates detailed feedback, making this the most comprehensive—but also most expensive and time-intensive—format available.
Using Image Sets
For complex visual testing
If your options require multiple images each (like product photo sets), use our Image Sets feature:
Select Single Select, Multi Select, Ranked, or Round Robin poll type
Choose "Image Set" when adding options
Upload up to 9 images per option (1 main + up to 8 supporting images)
Respondents can navigate through each image set
Image Sets work with Single Select, Multi Select, Ranked, and Round Robin poll types. They're included in standard poll pricing with no additional fees.
Avoid creating collages by combining multiple images in Photoshop or Canva. Use Image Sets instead for cleaner, more professional presentation with zoom functionality and better mobile experience.
For complete details, see Testing image sets with PickFu.
Using Mockups
For listing and search result testing
For testing how products appear in marketplaces, use our Mockups feature:
SERP View (Search Results):
Products shown in grid format replicating Amazon search results
Test how your listing performs in competitive search context
Ideal for Amazon search result optimization and CTR testing
Listing View (Individual Products):
Products shown as individual cards with listing details
Test standalone listing appeal and conversion optimization
Perfect for individual product page testing
Choose SERP view when testing click-through appeal in search results. Choose Listing view when optimizing individual product page conversion without position bias.
For complete mockup workflows, see:
Choosing the right approach
Your goal | Recommended poll type | Sample size |
Find the most preferred winner | Ranked (instant runoff tallying) | 100+ |
Factual/binary questions | Single Select | 50+ |
See which have broad appeal | Multi Select | 50+ |
Comprehensive pairwise comparison | Round Robin | 50+ per matchup |
Test complex visual products | Single Select/Multi Select/Ranked/Round Robin + Image Sets | 50-100+ |
Test marketplace listings | Any type + Mockups (SERP or Listing view) | 50-100+ |
Troubleshooting / FAQs
Should I use Single Select or Ranked?
Use Single Select only for factual questions where only one logical answer exists—like age brackets, household size, or subscription status. When testing subjective preferences (book covers, designs, headlines), Single Select votes often split evenly across options without revealing a true winner.
Use Ranked for creative decisions where you need a clear winner. Ranked polls use instant runoff voting to ensure the winning option would beat all others in head-to-head comparisons, even when votes are split across many appealing choices.
What happened to Head-to-Head for multiple options?
Head-to-Head polls are designed for exactly 2 options only. For 3+ options with comprehensive pairwise comparisons, use Round Robin, which runs every possible head-to-head matchup (A vs. B, A vs. C, B vs. C, etc.) to deliver exhaustive competitive analysis.
For most use cases testing 3-8 options, Ranked polls deliver comparable winner identification at lower cost and faster turnaround than Round Robin.
Can I test more than 8 options?
Current poll types support up to 8 options. For more options, consider:
Narrow down first: Run an internal review to eliminate obvious weak candidates before testing the top 8
Run multiple polls: Split options into groups, identify winners from each group, then run a final poll comparing the finalists
Test in phases: Start with a Multi Select poll to identify broad appeal, then run a Ranked poll on the top performers
When should I use Image Sets vs. single images?
Use Image Sets when each option requires multiple angles, contexts, or variations to properly evaluate—like product photography with lifestyle shots, detail views, and infographics, or app interface flows showing multiple screens.
Use single images when testing a single visual element—like a main product image, logo variation, book cover, or hero banner.
You can mix both formats in one poll if some options need image stacks while others only need single images.
How do I avoid the collage workaround?
Don't create collages in design tools! Use the Image Sets feature instead, which:
Presents multiple images cleanly and professionally
Provides navigation arrows and zoom controls for respondents
Saves you design time
Delivers a better mobile experience
Keeps images high-resolution and independently viewable
Only create collages when you need feedback on a single composed layout—like a magazine spread or packaging flat where the unified composition itself is what you're testing.
For detailed guidance, see How to test sets of images using collages.
Related resources
Poll type tips - Complete guide to choosing the right poll format
Poll sample size tips - Determine how many respondents you need
How to use Multi Select polls - Detailed Multi Select guidance
How to use Single Select polls - Single Select best practices
Polling best practices - Get accurate, actionable results
Choosing your audience - Target the right respondents for your test