Why Quora Has Issues with Editing Questions: Understanding the Policy and Its Impact

Have you ever wondered why you can't edit your questions on Quora, even if you realize they are unclear or poorly formulated after you post them? This article explores the reasons behind the restrictive question editing policy on Quora and the issues related to community edits. We will also discuss the historical context and the impact of question vandalism on the platform.

The Restrictive Question Editing Policy on Quora

Quora's policy regarding question editing is quite restrictive. In general, once a question has been posted, it can only be edited by the original poster while it still has no answers. Even if an answer has been collapsed or if there are no more than five followers, the question cannot be edited or deleted. This restrictive policy is in place to prevent tinkering once the question has gained some level of traction.

Historical Context and Early Editing Policies

Back in the day, community editors could assess questions and make necessary edits. This was seen as a valuable service to ensure questions were clear and well-crafted. However, the policy was abused by trolls who used it to cause disturbances. Mischievous edits not only spoiled the user experience but also wasted the time of both the editor and the original poster. Consequently, the ability to edit questions was eventually taken away from community members.

Impact of Question Vandalism

The rise of question vandalism significantly contributed to the current policy. A prime example is the Brazilian Bandito Boy, who has been relentlessly vandalizing questions for years. This individual created numerous sock puppet accounts to repeatedly edit questions, making them unreadable and incoherent.

Case Study: The Brazilian Bandito Boy's Impact

The Brazilian Bandito Boy started editing questions from 100 different accounts in 2018. Many of these accounts have been banned, but the damage was extensive. For instance, one of the questions that was frequently vandalized was: “Why are certain metals better than others at conducting heat and electricity.” This question received over 27 edits from sock puppet accounts created by the Brazilian Bandito Boy. Good Samaritans like Paul Reid and William Gunn stepped in to reverse these changes, but the overall impact was significant.

Why We Can't Have Nice Things on Quora

The policy of not allowing edits to questions after they have gained some level of traction serves as a safeguard against malicious or spam edits. While it ensures a more stable and clear environment, it also means that users must be careful and precise with their initial posts. Bad actors who seek to disrupt the platform now face strict limitations.

Conclusion

Quora's restrictive question editing policy is a direct response to the challenges posed by community vandalism. While it limits the ability to make corrections, it also ensures that questions are well-formulated from the start. Understanding the historical context and the impact of bad actors on the platform can help users appreciate the necessity of these rules.