Click here to visit the new home of AOLTV!

Hot on HuffPost TV:

See More Stories

'American Idol' Online Voting: How It Will Work

by Kelly Woo, posted Feb 24th 2011 3:30PM

American Idol online voting
For nine years, 'American Idol' fans could only vote for their favorite singers on the phone, either by calling or texting a number. Now, for season 10, the show is giving viewers the option to vote online starting with Tuesday night's first live show. So, get those clicking fingers ready!

During the voting window, head over to 'American Idol''s site and follow the directions. You'll be asked to log in using your Facebook account, which will take you a voting page featuring the names and photos of the eligible contestants. Then, simply choose your favorite contestant, complete a security verification and submit your vote. Fans with a registered Facebook account in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands will be able to vote online up to 50 times during the window.

"We have been wanting to do online voting for several years, and now Facebook has offered us a secure solution and we are ready to go," said 'Idol' creator Simon Fuller in a press release. "The show has always involved a high level of engagement with its viewers through texting and phone voting, and it's great to expand on this tradition."

The official announcement comes after weeks of speculation that 'Idol' would introduce online voting. Rumors swirled before the season even began and recently, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe seemingly confirmed them to Access Atlanta. Then former judge Simon Cowell's new show 'The X Factor' upped the ante by announcing it would feature Facebook voting, and 'Idol' made the change official.

Of course, fans can still vote by phone via a toll-free number or by text (for AT&T wireless customers only). At the end of each performance, phone lines will open for at least two hours. For more information on how you can vote, check out this 'Idol' FAQ.

Voting, online or by phone, begins with the first performance show on Tuesday, March 1, at 8PM ET, which features the top 12 male semifinalists. The top 12 female semifinalists perform Wednesday, March 2 at 8PM ET.

Season 10's finalists will then be announced on the results show Thursday, March 3 at 8PM ET on Fox.

Tell us: Are you glad 'American Idol' introduced online voting? Are you more likely to vote online vs. over the phone?

How will you vote this season on 'American Idol'?
By phone962 (21.7%)
Online2327 (52.6%)
I don't vote.1136 (25.7%)

Link Squad

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

24 Comments

Filter by:
LuAnn Kidd

I more likely to vote online right now Phillip Phillps is my plain.

May 16 2012 at 10:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ronn Mead

I like voting for american idol. I don't like the way they vote. It should be one vote for each contestant and thats it. The 50 vote idea is very bad and I have seen some good people go down the road because of it. I really hope someone checks this out.........

February 25 2012 at 10:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pamountaintop

I have to say the talent this year is fantastic! I especially loved Pia and can't believe she was voted off. She has the makings of a great star snger.

April 28 2011 at 10:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gramalorr251

I would love to vote for American Idol favorite but being in Canada I cant!!
Am I not in America??What's with not being able to vote?
Very very very dissappointed!!
My favorite is Casey for Wednesday's show!
He was AwEsOmE!!

March 23 2011 at 10:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Susan

i want to vote $
4 lauren alain she rocked on wensday 3-16-11

March 17 2011 at 1:57 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
VINNYLOVESANNA

This is so freaking amazing !! Steven Tyler is wearing the necklace me and Anna made for him and we handed this to him at a jones beach new york concert in 2007 !!! we are so blown away that he loves it enough to wear it ,thank you Steven we love you so much... Anna has a store in Cedarhurst Long Island called Anna k's Jewelry she has been there for 20 years and what you are wearing is a one of a kind skull necklace we call Life Force !!!

March 01 2011 at 7:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ken

If you guys don't have time to vote, just download and use "dialidol.com" Then you just select who you want to vote for and it is completely automatic for the entire voting block.

I think it is amazing that so many GREAT singers turned out this year and why? NO Simon Cowell!!!! His attitude was evidently scaring the best talent away from Idol for years!

February 25 2011 at 2:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
thegeorges2

Colton DIxon should have made it in to the top 24. You should have sent home the guy that showed his abs and kept Colton. I can't believe you sent him home...Big mistake, Big, Huge!

February 25 2011 at 1:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sstar5star

No way through Facebook! If you can't have an American Idol site or through a conventional webpage e.g. AOL or Yahoo you should not allow internet voting. Allowing a a person to vote 50 times is ridiculous and unfair...some people have a life. Your inviting a winner to be ...well like a Bristol Palin ...go ahead and stuff the ballot box

February 25 2011 at 1:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
eepower

What's with the 50 votes each facebook friend can send in each voting session??? What's fair about 1 person having 50 votes each? If you don't use Facebook then the person you would like to vote fr doesn't have a chance if you're calling in.

February 25 2011 at 12:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

Follow Us

TV Squad Hot Topics

From Our Partners