How to Delete Questions on Quora After They Have Been Answered

Deleting questions on Quora can be a tricky endeavor, especially once someone has provided an answer. Contrary to popular belief, there are several nuances to the process, especially when it comes to questions with answers. This guide will help you understand the limitations and the exact steps to successfully delete your question.

Understanding Quora's Policies on Deleting Questions

It's important to first understand that Quora's policies are stringent when it comes to deleting questions. Once a question has received an answer or even a comment, it can no longer be deleted. This is a critical point to remember, as many users may not be aware of this rule.

Key Points:

Questions with answers can no longer be deleted. Questions with comments also cannot be deleted. You can only delete your own questions that have no answers and fewer than 5 followers. Questions by others can only be deleted through reporting and moderation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Delete a Question on Quora

Even if a question has received an answer, there are still instances where it can be deleted. Here's a detailed step-by-step process to achieve this.

If Your Question Has No Answers:

Log in to your Quora account. Find the question you wish to delete. Click on the three dots located to the right of the question. Select "Delete question." Confirm the deletion.

However, this option is only available if the question has no answers and fewer than 5 followers. If any of these conditions are not met, the deletion process will not be possible.

Understanding the Limitations

Let's break down the limitations to ensure clarity:

Examples of When Deletion Is Possible:

If you ask a question and it has no answers, you can delete it. If someone answers your question but you are certain the answer is inappropriate, you can report it for moderation.

Examples of When Deletion Is Not Possible:

If your question is answered and has more than 5 followers, it cannot be deleted. If your question is answered and you are now satisfied with the answers, you still cannot delete it. If the answer is just a collapsed one, the question is still locked for editing or deleting and belongs to the community.

Additional Tips for Posting on Quora

To avoid the frustration of not being able to delete a question, it's important to take some precautions:

Consider the Audience:

Think twice before posting a question. Would you be comfortable if the entire internet saw it? If the answer is no, consider not posting it. This way, you avoid the pain of not being able to delete it later.

Limit Question Visibility:

If you are posting sensitive or personal information, consider limiting the visibility of your question. On the 'Edit' page of your question, you have the option to choose 'Limited' for visibility, which means no one except those you specify can see your question and its answers.

Ask Thoughtful Questions:

Take your time when posting questions. If you are unsure, edit your question before posting. Asking thoughtful and well-researched questions can also help you avoid getting spammy or inappropriate answers.

Conclusion

To summarize, deleting questions on Quora is restricted to questions with no answers and fewer than 5 followers. It's crucial to keep this in mind to avoid frustration and ensure that your experience on the platform is smooth and productive. If you have any further questions or require additional guidance, feel free to explore the numerous resources available on Quora.

Always remember to think before you post and to protect your privacy by limiting the visibility of your questions.