Is It Permissible to Answer Your Own Question on Quora?

Many wonder whether it's acceptable to answer their own questions on Quora, as doing so goes against the conventional wisdom of having a fair exchange of knowledge and ideas. In reality, frequently answering one's own questions on Quora can be beneficial, especially for sharing valuable insights and information. However, it's important to adhere to specific guidelines to avoid penalties.

Understanding the Permissibility of Self-Answering on Quora

Indeed, answering your own questions on Quora is permissible; however, it must be done responsibly. Some users mistakenly perceive answering their own questions as redundant, prone to abuse, or even spam. These concerns derive from the misunderstanding about the guidelines and rules governing the platform.

A case in point is Mark Zuckerberg, who some audience members have branded a 'con-artist.' While such labels may be controversial, they highlight the complexity and nuance of real-world personalities and their professional lives. If you believe you have solid evidence to back up any claims, self-answering can be a powerful tool to share your insights effectively.

Official Quora Guidelines and Policies

There is a specific policy in place to guide users on the appropriate use of self-answering:

'Yes, Question Man, it is allowed to answer your own question on Quora. However, you must not spam as that is not permitted.'

This rule emphasizes the need to ensure that self-answered questions and answers contribute meaningfully to the community, promoting quality and engagement.

Scenarios Justifying Self-Answering

You’ve Just Learned Something Really Interesting: Sometimes, learning a new fact or gaining a fresh perspective can be exciting. If there is no existing question on Quora that encapsulates this information, you can create a question and answer it yourself to share the insight.

Philosophical or Abstract Questions: When a philosophical question prompts thoughtful responses, you might want to expand on the topic with your own original thoughts that are not directly linked to any specific answer.

Joke Space Contributions: There is a designated space for jokes on Quora. If you've come up with a new joke that fits the form "Do you know a joke about xxx," you can post the joke as an answer to a relevant question. If you already shared a similar joke, you can create a new question for that joke.

Translation and Collaboration: If you are a fluent bilingual user, you can translate popular answers from the English Quora to other languages, like German. When there are no suitable questions in the target language, you can create the question and then provide the translated answer.

These examples illustrate that self-answering can be beneficial when used for the right purpose, such as enhancing the platform with unique insights, sharing humor, and promoting language learning and collaboration.

Conclusion

While it's permissible to answer your own questions on Quora, it's crucial to follow the guidelines and policies set by the platform. By doing so, you can contribute positively to the community and share valuable information without risking penalties or bans. Embracing the flexibility of self-answering can significantly enhance your engagement and impact on Quora.