American Idol Voting 2026: How to Vote, New Social Media Method, and Everything You Need to Know

• For the first time in American Idol history, fans can now vote directly through social media, making Season 24 the first reality TV competition ever to allow voting via Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
• Voting is open right now through tonight’s broadcast and closes at 6 a.m. ET on March 17, with the second voting window opening on March 23 for the remaining Top 20 contestants
• Fans can cast up to 50 total votes per episode by combining all three methods, with a limit of 10 votes per contestant per method

America finally has its say. And this season, voting has never been easier or more chaotic.

Starting tonight, March 16, American Idol Season 24 officially hands the power over to viewers for the very first time this season, as the Top 20 compete from Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii. Half the Top 20 perform tonight. The other half goes next Monday. And your votes decide who makes it through to the Top 14.

This is the moment fans have been waiting for all season. So here is exactly how to make your votes count.

The Brand New Way to Vote This Year

American Idol is making history this season by becoming the first reality competition show to allow voting through social media platforms. Head to the official American Idol Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok accounts when voting opens, find the pinned voting post showing all ten performers, and simply type your favourite contestant’s first name in the comments. One comment equals one vote, and you can do it up to 10 times per contestant on each platform.

Executive Producer Megan Michaels Wolflick said the team has been working on getting social voting approved for five years, calling it “the easiest thing ever” and adding, “We have to meet the audience where they are.” Five years in the making. And it is finally here.

One thing to note: only viewers 18 and older are allowed to participate in social voting. So if you are under 18, you will need to stick to the other methods below.

All Three Ways to Vote Right Now

For online voting, head to AmericanIdol.com/vote as the episode starts, sign in with your MyDisney account, click on the contestant you want to support, and assign your votes. You must be at least 16 years old and located in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to vote this way.

For text voting, simply text the contestant’s unique voting number to 21523. That number will be displayed on screen during each performance, so keep your phone close while you watch. Message and data rates may apply.

Stack all three methods together, and you are looking at 50 votes total for your favourite contestant in a single episode. That is nothing.

Who You Are Voting For This Week

Tonight’s episode features the first ten of the Top 20 performing at Aulani, with country star Brad Paisley and actress and singer Keke Palmer serving as mentors. Palmer will also pull double duty as a guest judge alongside the regular panel of Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood.

Season 21 winner Iam Tongi and Thunderstorm Artis will also be performing on tonight’s show. So yes, it is going to be a big night.

The Top 14 will be revealed on the March 30 live show, when full live voting kicks off for the rest of the season. Every vote tonight genuinely matters. The window closes at 6 a.m. ET Tuesday morning, and there are no extensions.

Get voting. Your favourite needs you right now.