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If you’ve ever wondered about something but didn’t know where to turn, you’ll be a big fan of Quora. Yes, there’s the Internet, that could be considered the source of all knowledge. But when you’re wondering about deep questions you need a reliable source. Believe it or not, some questions are difficult to find answers to on the Net.
That’s where Quora comes in handy. You can find answers to questions you may not have even thought of yet such as:
- What does it feel like to become a millionaire?
- What is it like to be exposed to new technology after a 20+ year prison sentence?
- What are some of the best life tips?
- What is it like to act in major Broadway productions?
- What’s the weirdest question you’ve been asked when crossing an international border?
Quora may be the best source for answers to these and many other questions.
How Quora Works
Quora is a website that’s free to use. When it first launched in 2009, it was available by invitation only but since 2010 Quora has been open to the public. Now, Quora gets over 100 million monthly unique visitors.
Quora users post questions and people respond with answers. Questions range from intellectual to controversial to mundane. Sometimes even silly questions are posed. No matter what the subject, questions have been asked and answered on Quora.
Not all questions get answers but the ones that do often have interesting responses. What separates Quora from the rest of the Internet is the quality of the answers.
There are two reasons answers on Quora can be so worthwhile. First is that Quora attracts experts on topics. The second reason is that answers are listed based on up votes from users. Answers that are considered responsive, insightful and intelligent can earn votes from readers and rise to the top of the list.
Often responses are given by experts on the topic. You may be able to get your question answered by the person you were curious to ask.
Answers on Quora have come from verified users such as:
- Barack Obama, President of the United States
- Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia
- Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of Facebook
- Ashton Kutcher, actor
- Amy Schumer, comedian
- Brian Chesky, co-founder of Airbnb
- Mark Cuban, NBA team owner and judge on TV show Shark Tank
- Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook
- Uzo Aduba, actress in Orange is the New Black
- Reed Hastings, Netflix CEO
[note]See, Quora question: How can I convince a friend of mine that famous Quora members (such as Jimmy Wales, Paul Ryan, etc.) are actually them and not impostors? [/note]
Getting Started on Quora
Setting Up an Account
To ask or answer a question, you must first register for an account on Quora or sign in with Facebook or Twitter. You must set up an account with your real name, though you can ask questions anonymously.
Fill out a profile, telling Quora what topics you know about and other information about yourself. You can link your social media accounts to your Quora account.
Asking Questions
You can ask questions on Quora about topics such as Brexit, US Presidential elections, the Olympic Games, or the philosophy of everyday life.
Wondering what it’s like to live in another country? Ask Quora and hope for a response from a native of that country. Wondering what it’s like to work for a certain employer? Ask a question and hope for an answer from an employee at that company.
To ask a question, type in the search box at the top of the Quora home page. You’ll see results of similar questions that have already been asked on Quora.
If none of those questions satisfy you, click Submit Question. Check the Anonymously box if you don’t want your name to appear next to your question.
Ask a question and you may get an answer from your ideal respondent. For example, a question was posted, “If Peyton Reed could choose to direct any movie, past, present, or upcoming, which would it be?” Peyton Reed answered on Quora directly.
One Quora user asked how to become a better public speaker and received a response from Chris Anderson, head of TED Talks.
Another Quora user asked How does it feel to go outside of the International Space Station? The question was answered by a former NASA astronaut.
Reading Others’ Questions
Seeing what questions other people have asked can be fascinating. You can follow topics and people to see the questions and answers that interest you most and search for topics of interest. Other Quora users may have asked questions you never thought to ask, but were always curious about.
Click on Reading on the upper menu bar to see recent popular questions. The left side bar of the site shows you trending topics and topics you’re following.
Quora Digest
You can sign up to get the Quora Digest, email notices of popular questions. Notifications are also available for topics and people you’re following.
Click on your name in the upper right hand corner of the screen, then click Settings in the drop-down menu. Go to Email & Notifications to sign up for Quora Digest and to control how often you receive emails.
Answering Questions
If you know the answer to a question, you can respond on Quora. Click Answer under any question and write your response.
You can also click Answer in the menu bar to see which questions Quora thinks you may be able to answer.
Apps
In addition to the website, Quora is available as a free app for:
Quora in Spanish
Earlier this month, Quora announced that it will be available in Spanish. For now, Quora en Español is by invitation only. To join the Spanish version of Quora, go to https://es.quora.com and request an invitation.
Your Thoughts
Have you ever asked a question on Quora? Have you ever answered one? What question would you like to have answered by an expert?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
* Thinking image courtesy of Frits Ahlefeldt-Laurvig via Flickr and Creative Commons
Hi Carolyn,
Happy Monday 🙂
Informative post indeed! Yes, I am very much on Quora, but honestly speaking, never explored it, nor did I know it’s potential and worth – till I read your post!
Yes, I did put up a question or two but that was all, and it was very long back and it got many likes and shares, but nothing more than that – though I do get a lot of followers and just follow the legit ones back. I’ve always wondered though whether the questions that are answered are always the right one, or perhaps just what people know – their own experiences more than anything else. But yes, good to know so many celebrities using it as well. Must explore it further now!
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena, I’m so glad you enjoyed this article. Yes, Quora has a lot to offer, even more now that there is a Spanish version of the site.
I’ve never asked a question on Quora, but I thoroughly enjoy reading others’ questions and the expert answers that are given. The process is so much more personal than just doing an Internet search.
I hope you enjoy using Quora, Harleena!
Hello Carolyn,
Quora is a great place to answer questions and get your questions answered. I have read many interesting questions from there. It is better than a lot of the other question and answer sites. Whereas, you get your questions answered. At many other sites, I see people ask but there are hardly any answers too. Also, I like how you can ask a specific person to answer your question.
Hi Maketta, Yes, Quora is a very interesting site, both to get your questions answered and to read others’ questions. I always learn something new when I visit Quora!
You’re right, other sites leave many questions unanswered or have answers that are unhelpful or rude. I’ve never seen an answer on Quora that wasn’t helpful.
Hey Carolyn,
I used to seek the answers of my question on Quora. But now, it’s been many days. I haven’t visited there. I am sure people are still engaging more and more.
The best thing about this website is that you get many suggestions for your query.
Thanks for reminding me.
Have a nice day.
~Ravi
Hi Ravi, You’re right, reading Quora can be fascinating. Be sure to do it when you have a lot of time because you can get lost in the site!
Quora has continued to grow over the years where other answer sites have faltered. Their growth is due to the quality of their answers. Where else can you connect with expert in the field and get your pressing questions answered?
I hope Quora continues to grow and succeed, especially now that they have a Spanish version of their website.
Hi Carolyn, oh yes I’ve used Quora but not a lot. I used to ask questions and now I try to answer a few. It is a great place to connect with others and get your unanswered questions answered there by many professionals and those willing and that like to help.
There are so many different topics and niches there too. They have been around for some time now which is a good thing. I may go back and ask questions about a new camera I just got. So much to learn!
Enjoy the rest of your week Carolyn.
Hi Lisa, Great point, you can establish yourself as an expert on topics you know about, especially if you get a lot of up votes from Quora users. Your answers could rise to the top and suddenly people are impressed that you’re the one to answer a question!
I’m glad Quora has worked well for you, Lisa. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
Thanks for a great article about Quora. I didn’t know people like Obama had been active on the platform. That is really amazing:-)
I was one of the first to sign up to the platform in 2009. Back then, there were very little content; thus I forgot all about it. I came back a couple of years ago and what a difference:-) I have used it a lot since, but I have not be active on the platform yet.
Hi Jakob, Great point. I signed up for Quora in 2009 also, when it was invitation only. As with many sites, Quora took a while to gain momentum. It was the classic chicken and egg situation. People hadn’t yet asked many questions, so not many users arrived at the site to answer them.
But the arrival of verified experts was really a game-changed in the success of Quora. How wonderful to have a quality site that’s free to use be so successful.
I hope you continue to enjoy using Quora, Jakob. Thank you for adding to the conversation.