Quora’s Evolution: From a Thoughtful Sanctuary to a Dire Version of Ask Reddit

It didn’t used to be this way. Quora was once a platform dominated by individuals who took the time to provide high-quality, thought-provoking answers with genuine merit. Contributors would use their real names and accompany their posts with real-world credentials. However, over time, the landscape of Quora has drastically changed.

Decline in Quality and Integrity

Quora is now overrun by individuals who lack the integrity that once defined it. Users with silly nicknames and religious biases now dominate the platform, posting barely coherent and offensive ramblings. One notable example is Foguinho, a user who is exemplified by how this once-great website has been corrupted.

The quality of posts has plummeted, with many questions becoming repetitive and unenlightening. Many users are frustrated by the auto-merge bot, which often fails to distinguish between similar questions, leading to confusion and frustration.

Former Users’ Perspective

After several years on Quora, I eventually grew tired of the endless identical questions and the broken auto-merge bot. I then explored other platforms such as Facebook and Reddit. While Reddit does allow for voting, it has its own set of issues that make it less appealing.

Challenges on Reddit

Reddit’s subreddits require a certain tally of karma to post, which is essentially a tally of up and down votes. New users start with nothing, making it difficult to establish a presence on the platform. Additionally, many subreddits have a prevailing opinion bias, making it challenging to present alternative perspectives without facing severe downvotes. This has led to the removal of many posts and sometimes even user bans.

Signing Off on Reddit and Returning to Quora

After trying Reddit, I returned to Quora, where I found some improvements. The platform has become more active, especially during election seasons, leading to an increase in political discussions. However, the issues of anonymous trolls and lack of accountability still persist. The anonymity of the Original Poster (OP) and the lack of visibility at the beginning of the feed continue to be significant problems.

The Future of Quora?

While Quora has its challenges, it remains a valuable platform for thought-provoking discussions. With the increasing awareness of these issues, there is hope for improvement. The community can play a crucial role in promoting a more inclusive and respectful environment by actively downvoting and blocking trolls, and by ensuring that voices with different perspectives are heard.

As an SEO expert, it is essential to stay informed about the changes in online communities to provide relevant and high-quality content. Understanding the challenges and making informed decisions can lead to better engagement and improved user experience.