Quora's Algorithm: Navigating the Mysterious and Often Frustrating World of Moderation

Quora is a platform for engaging with a wide range of topics, from the mundane to the profound. However, navigating the platform's content moderation can feel like a never-ending puzzle. Recently, I encountered a perplexing situation that highlights the mysteries and frustrations inherent in Quora's algorithm.

A Real-Life Example: THE FLORBELLE CASE

The incident involved my answer about my feral cat Florabelle and the joyous occasion of her birthing two kittens. Upon submission, this answer, complete with heartwarming photos, was swiftly collapsed for 'violating Quora policy.' This not only left me bewildered but also deeply concerned about the fairness and transparency of the moderation process.

The Collapsed Answer

The answer in question:

Why is Quora’s algorithm crazy
Recently my answer about my feral cat Florabelle and how I helped her give birth to two kittens was collapsed for ‘violating Quora policy.’
This was the answer with the photos that I took on that amazing day.

Attempts at Resolution

Upon receiving the notification, I immediately took action. I delved into Quora's policy documentation, checked the box confirming my review, and resubmitted the answer. Naturally, I also turned to external help, including posting on Collapse Detectives, a group dedicated to supporting Quora users whose content has been collapsed.

To my surprise, Collapse Detectives found no policy violations. They recommended reaching out to Top Writers, a more direct line of communication for users with content that was collapsed on their accounts. Despite following their advice, I have yet to receive a response.

The Current Status

Fast-forward to today, I noticed something peculiar in my notifications:

“Yahoo! My answer is back!” I thought, but then my better judgment kicked in. I decided to double-check to ensure that my answer had indeed been reinstated. On visiting the original question, I was disheartened to find that my answer is still in the collapsed section, where virtually no readers would see it.

Questions and Controversies

As a devoted user, I wonder aloud if there are actual humans involved in making these decisions, or if it's simply a programmed algorithm with room for improvement. Is there any accountability, or are the left hand and the right hand of Quora out of sync?

Call for Transparency and Accountability

Considering the critical importance of user trust and the need for a stable ecosystem, it's imperative that Quora addresses these issues:

Clarification of Policies: Ensure that policies are clearly and consistently defined, with examples or guidelines provided. Improved Ombudsmen Services: Implement mechanisms for users to voice concerns and receive feedback. Human Oversight: Introduce human review processes to supplement or replace Algorithmic decisions in critical cases. Transparency: Regularly update users on progress made in addressing these issues and improving the moderation process.

Finding a Home for Important Stories

Stories like the one about Florabelle matter. They touch hearts and remind us of the resilience and love that can be found in unexpected places. The ability to share these stories seamlessly is what makes platforms like Quora so valuable. Until Quora can ensure a fair and transparent moderation process, users like myself will continue to face significant obstacles in sharing these important narratives.

In conclusion, the Quora algorithm, while aiming to provide a safe and engaging platform, sometimes falls short. It's time for Quora to take a closer look at its processes to ensure that every user's effort to contribute meaningfully is honored.

Stay tuned for more updates, and if you face similar issues, do share your experiences in the comments below.