Why Do My Answers Get Collapsed, Even When They Are Right?

It’s not a secret that the Quora community can be a tough environment to navigate. Despite the best efforts to follow the rules and adhere to the BNBR policy, many users find their answers getting collapsed. This article delves into the reasons behind this issue and offers tips to ensure your well-researched answers remain intact.

Common Reasons for Answer Collapses

The most common reason for answers getting collapsed is typically shortness and lack of detail. Quora’s algorithms favor comprehensive and insightful answers that provide value to the community. If your response is too brief, it’s likely to get flagged. To avoid this, include more of the following:

Answer the implied ‘how’, ‘why’, ‘when’ and add relevant anecdotes or examples to enhance the usefulness of your response. Include more context and detail to prevent being collapsed due to downvotes.

How to Fix Collapsed Answers

Collapses can also occur due to downvotes from the Quora community. Unlike other platforms, Quora does not notify users of downvotes and hides a downvote counter. To restore your answer, you can request upvotes to balance out these downvotes.

Policy Violations

Violating Quora policies can result in answers getting collapsed, even if you believe you are following the rules. It’s important to be well-versed in Quora’s community guidelines, which include:

Fact Accuracy: Ensure your answers align with accepted scientific truth and are not substantially different from widely accepted knowledge. Poor Writing: Quora expects correct English spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Failing to meet these standards can lead to your answer being collapsed. Spam: Avoid using links, especially to commercial platforms like Amazon, and use footnotes if necessary. Quora bots may flag your answer as spam; educate yourself on what constitutes spam to avoid accidental flags.

Why Quora Doesn’t Notify You

Quora does not notify users when their answers get collapsed. The rationale behind this is that the platform wants its users to take the initiative to learn and understand Quora’s policies and guidelines.

Despite the lack of notification, there are actions you can take to help your answers stay visible:

Regularly revisit your collapsed answers and make necessary improvements. Engage with the community and learn from others’ experiences. Stay informed about the latest updates and changes in Quora’s policies.

Addressing Premature Collapses

Sometimes, your answers get collapsed simply because people disagree with your viewpoints. While it’s understandable to have differing opinions, maintaining a respectful and constructive tone can help. Many short and glib answers, or those with an antagonistic tone, are likely to receive downvotes and may get collapsed.

Conclusion

While it can be frustrating to see well-researched answers go collapsed, understanding the underlying reasons can help address the issue. By following Quora’s policies, improving the quality and detail of your responses, and engaging positively with the community, you can increase the chances of your answers staying visible.