The Surprising Reality of Having Thousands of Followers on Quora

Imagine having 10 followers on Quora, then 100, and then 20,000. The jump in the number of followers can be overwhelming and even surprising. In this article, we delve into the feelings, challenges, and realities of having thousands of followers on the popular QA platform, Quora.

Surprising and Disorienting

Quora is more than just a platform for information; it's a community of individuals seeking and sharing knowledge. Having thousands of followers on Quora can be quite a sensation, as one user humorously describes it as having '10k or so real followers and a few hundred that actively read my stuff and engage with me.'

It's not uncommon for new users to experience a flood of followers quickly, and this sudden increase can be both surprising and disorienting. Sean Kernan, a Quora user, mentions that he was thrilled when he hit the 1000 mark but was blown away by a much larger number. He adds, 'I joke it's funny that I probably only have 10k or so real followers and a few hundred that actively read my stuff and engage with me.'

The Imposter Syndrome

For many Quora users, especially those with a significant number of followers, the sense of impostor syndrome is real. This feeling often arises when users compare their number of followers with those of others or when they see their stats and question why they are so successful.

"Sometimes it weirds me out. I get moments of imposter syndrome where my brain just looks at the stats on Quora and just goes WHY!... and then it goes back to juggling potatoes don’t judge me."

Sean Kernan once felt the need to verify his follower number, realizing he didn't know where to find it. However, he quickly understands that his followers are real, dedicated individuals rather than fake accounts. This insight helps him navigate the online community more effectively.

Dealing with Spam Accounts

Many users on Quora have encountered spam accounts, which can dilute the actual number of real followers. For instance, Hend Samra is a user whose number of followers shot up rapidly, leading him to suspect that Quora may have padded his list with fake accounts. He notes, 'My numbers shot up rapidly right before they announced Quora plus, and I think they felt I would get on board if I saw so they bulked me up with fake followers.'

Spam accounts are not uncommon, and they can be frustrating for genuine users. However, most users have found their way to filter out the noise and focus on the active and engaged followers. As Hend Samra puts it, 'There are lots of real accounts, seemingly real people with followers of their own who display some activity on Quora. Then I have a whole slew of followers with names like Fg45hlp followed by Fg46hlp etc etc. It kinda makes me laugh.'

Community and Authentic Engagement

Despite the challenges, having a large number of followers can bring a sense of community and engagement. For many, the real value lies in the interactions and conversations they have with their followers.

"It's become the new norm now. I was SUPER excited when I crossed the 1000 mark then blown away when I cro... and now it's just a matter of continuing to grow and engage with the community."

Users like Sean Kernan value the genuine interactions and appreciate those who take the time to engage with their content. For him, the real followers are the ones who interact actively: 'To those who actually follow and interact with me: Thanks, you give me something to look forward to and I appreciate you. It’s fun.'

Humility and Perspective

In the world of Quora, some users maintain a sense of humility and perspective, managing to stay focused on the genuine aspects of the community.

Hend Samra, for instance, is not bothered by a few extra followers or other users with slightly more followers. He states, 'I’m far too noble-minded to care at all about my follower count. I’m so above such petty issues that I pay no attention to the fact that Habib F inexplicably has more followers than me. But my humility ensures that such matters are beneath my notice.'

Concluding sentiments from these Quora users highlight the importance of focusing on the quality of interactions over the quantity of followers. The community thrives on meaningful conversations and connections, rather than just numbers on a screen.

In summary, the experience of having thousands of followers on Quora is a blend of surprise, challenges, and meaningful engagement. These insights from real users can help others navigate the platform with a balanced perspective and genuine appreciation for the community.