Why Quora Lacks a Feature to Mark a Question as Already Answered

The frustration of answering a question on Quora, only to find that it has already been answered with numerous responses, is a common experience for many users. Why doesn’t Quora provide a simple way to mark a question as already answered because it has a good response?

Quora is designed to facilitate discussion and information sharing. Just as your phone app doesn't care why you don't want to answer a call, Quora doesn't care why a question has already been addressed by someone else. The primary goal is to ensure that users can continue to contribute valuable insights, no matter the history of a question.

Understanding the Lack of a 'Already Answered' Feature

Believe it or not, the statement 'someone wrote an answer already' does not guarantee that the answers are correct. I have personally encountered situations where my unique perspective or a different approach provided the best answer to a question, even when there were already dozens of responses. The best answer is not always the first or the one that gets the most upvotes; it can emerge from a fresh perspective or a personal connection that resonates with the asker.

Additionally, marking a question as already answered could lead to confusion and redundancy. Even if a question has been answered, new users join the platform frequently and might have a unique perspective or valuable insights that could enhance the existing answers. Quora operates on the principle that every question remains open for additional answers at all times. This inclusivity keeps the platform vibrant and dynamic.

Alternatives to Marking a Question as Already Answered

There are several existing features on Quora that serve as alternatives to marking a question as already answered:

Passing the Question: Users can choose to pass on a question if they feel it has been adequately addressed already. However, this is not the same as marking it as answered because passing a question does not prevent new answers from being posted. Ignoring the Question: Users can ignore a question if they are not interested in answering it. This is a personal choice and does not affect the question's visibility to other users. Reporting Inappropriate Content: If a question has already been adequately answered, users can report it as redundant or unnecessary. However, this feature does not remove the question from the platform.

It's important to note that the term 'already answered' on Quora has no value or significance. The term is used to indicate that someone has posted an answer, but it does not specify who that someone is. This makes it difficult to determine the criteria for marking a question as already answered.

The Nature of Question Redundancy on Quora

Given that Quora is a searchable knowledgebase, the presence of redundant questions is a common occurrence. Many users fail to understand the concept of uniqueness and originality in their questions. This lack of comprehension often results in the reposting of similar questions, leading to redundancy.

Quora aims to provide a platform where everyone can contribute. While it is impossible to prevent all redundant questions, the platform's design encourages continuous dialogue and the potential for new insights. Each new user can bring fresh perspectives and value, even to questions that have already been answered multiple times.

In conclusion, the lack of a feature to mark a question as already answered reflects Quora's commitment to inclusivity and ongoing dialogue. The platform is designed to welcome new answers and insights, ensuring that users can continuously contribute to the wealth of knowledge available on the site.