Understanding Quora’s Feedback on Question and Answer Improvement

Many Quorans, particularly those new to the platform, often struggle to understand why they receive numerous edits and requests for improvement even when they believe their content is well-formed and answered satisfactorily. This article aims to provide clarity on these points and assist you in improving your contributions on the platform.

Why Short Answers Are Collapsed

One of the primary reasons for short answers being collapsed is the expectation set by Quora for detailed and comprehensive responses. Short answers are often seen as incomplete and may not fully address the core of the question. According to Quora's guidelines, an answer should address the question comprehensively, providing value to the community.

When Short Answers Are Allowed

There are exceptions where short answers are tolerated. These usually apply to experienced members or frequent contributors who have a track record of providing high-quality content. However, for the majority of users, Quora enforces a standard of clarity and depth in answers to maintain the quality and utility of the platform.

Improving Your Answers

To ensure your answers are not collapsed, consider these tips:

Context and Depth: Provide additional context and details to your answers. Explain your reasoning and offer relevant examples or data to support your points. Thoroughness: Ensure your answers fully address the question. Break down complex questions into manageable parts and address each part in detail. Readable Format: Use proper structure and format, including paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings, to make your answers easy to read and understand.

Improving Your Questions

Your questions can also be improved to ensure they are clear, well-formed, and engaging. Here are some strategies to enhance your questions:

Clarity: Use clear and simple language. Avoid jargon or overly complex terms unless necessary. Specificity: Be specific about the topic or issue you are addressing. Avoid generalities and provide enough detail to get accurate and useful answers. Proper English: Use proper English syntax and grammar. This helps ensure your questions are easily understood and are less likely to be collapsed.

Educational Value

Quora places a high value on educational and thought-provoking content. If your questions or answers do not add significant value or knowledge, they may face edits or be collapsed.

Reading Your Questions and Answers

To better understand the feedback you receive, it can be helpful to revisit and analyze your own content. Take a moment to read through your posts again. If possible, ask a friend or another Quoran to provide feedback on your questions and answers. This can give you a fresh perspective and help you identify areas for improvement.

For example, consider the following question and answer:

Question: Why does Quora keeps on instructing me to edit a question that is seemingly correct.

Answer: How can we give you a considered answer if we don’t know what the question is. Post the question and then we’ll let you know.

This example is concise but lacks context and depth. To improve, the question and answer could be expanded as follows:

Improved Question: I have received multiple edits on my previous question, which I believe to be correct. Specifically, I asked, 'How does X factor into Y in such a way that it influences Z?' Can someone explain why my question needs improvement?

Improved Answer: It is important to provide clear and comprehensive questions. When posting a question, ensure that you have clearly stated the context and the problem you are trying to address. For example, you could start by explaining the context: 'I am a researcher looking to understand the relationship between X and Y, and its influence on Z. How might X factor into this relationship?' This will help others provide more detailed and accurate answers.

By following these guidelines and continuously refining your questions and answers, you can improve your experience on Quora and contribute more effectively to the community.