What Is Quora & Why Should You Care - The Hidden Gem Of Social Media

Quora is a question-and-answer platform where people can ask, answer, and browse questions on a wide range of topics. It was founded in 2009 by two former Facebook employees, Adam D'Angelo, and Charlie Cheever. So, what is quora, why should you care?

Since then, it has become one of the most popular online communities for knowledge sharing and has millions of active users worldwide.

The History Of Quora: From Its Founding To Today

Quora is a question-and-answer platform that was founded in 2009 by Adam D'Angelo and Charlie Cheever, both former Facebook employees. The platform was launched in private beta in January 2010 and was made available to the public later that year in June.

COPYRIGHT_MARX: Published on https://marxcommunications.com/what-is-quora-why-should-you-care/ by Keith Peterson on 2023-03-09T11:29:37.299Z

Since then, Quora has grown to become one of the most popular online communities for knowledge sharing, with millions of active users worldwide.

Early Years

When Quora first launched, it was a small, invite-only community that was primarily focused on technology and Silicon Valley culture. Its early users included industry insiders and thought leaders who used the platform to share their insights and connect with others in their field.

Growth And Expansion

As Quora's popularity grew, so did its user base and the range of topics discussed on the platform. Today, Quora has expanded to cover a wide range of topics, from science and technology to history and politics.

It has also become a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals who are looking for information and insights on specific topics.

Key Features And Milestones

Throughout its history, Quora has introduced several key features that have helped to shape the platform and its community. In 2012, the platform launched the Quora Blog, which allowed users to post long-form articles and essays on the platform.

The same year, it also introduced the "Top Writers" program, which recognized and rewarded users who provided high-quality answers and engaged with the community.

In 2014, Quora introduced the ability to embed images and videos into answers, making it easier for users to provide visual aids to support their answers. The platform also introduced the ability to edit and improve answers, allowing users to refine their responses over time.

In recent years, Quora has continued to evolve and grow, introducing new features like Quora Spaces and Quora Ads. These features have helped to expand the platform's capabilities and provide new opportunities for users to connect with others and share their knowledge.

How It Works

Asking Questions

The primary function of Quora is to ask questions. Users can submit questions on any topic they're interested in, and other users can provide answers.

Questions can be upvoted or downvoted based on their quality, and the most popular questions will appear at the top of the feed.

When asking a question, users can choose to make it anonymous or public. They can also add tags to make it easier for others to find an answer. Once the question is posted, it will be visible to all Quora users who follow that particular topic.

Answering Questions

Anyone can answer a question on Quora, regardless of whether they have an account or not. However, having an account allows users to follow topics they're interested in, upvote and downvote answers, and receive notifications when someone comments on their answers.

When answering a question, users can write a long-form response, add images or videos, and format their text. They can also link to outside sources to support their answer.

Quora's algorithm rewards high-quality answers with upvotes and views, which can help users gain followers and establish themselves as experts in their field.

Following Topics And Users

Quora allows users to follow topics they're interested in, which will populate their feeds with relevant questions and answers. Users can also follow other users who provide valuable answers to their questions or are experts in their field.

Following a user will allow their answers to appear in the follower's feed, making it easier to keep up with their activity on the platform.

Quora Spaces

Quora Spaces are communities created by users around specific topics or interests. They allow users to connect with others who share their interests and participate in discussions, post articles, and ask questions.

Spaces can be public or private, and users can join multiple spaces that are relevant to their interests.

Quora Ads

Quora Ads is a feature that allows businesses to advertise their products or services on the platform. Advertisers can target specific audiences based on demographics, interests, and behavior. Ads can appear in users' feeds or as sponsored content in search results.

Benefits Of Using Quora

• Knowledge Sharing - Quora's primary benefit is its ability to facilitate knowledge sharing between people from all walks of life. The platform allows users to ask questions and receive answers from experts in their field, making it easier to learn about topics they're interested in. It's also an excellent resource for researchers and students who are looking for information on specific topics.
• Community Building - Quora's community features allow users to connect with others who share their interests and participate in discussions around specific topics. This can help users build relationships with like-minded individuals and establish themselves as experts in their field.
• Marketing Opportunities - Quora Ads provide an opportunity for businesses to advertise their products or services to a highly engaged audience. Because users are already interested in the topics they're following, they're more likely to engage with ads that are relevant to their interests.

People Also Ask

How Does Quora Make Money?

Quora makes money primarily through advertising, offering both self-serve and managed ad solutions to businesses. It also offers a premium subscription service called Quora Premium, which provides users with access to additional features and benefits.

Can Anyone Contribute To Quora?

Yes, anyone can contribute to Quora by asking or answering questions. However, Quora has strict guidelines in place to ensure that content on the platform is high-quality and meets certain standards. Users who consistently violate these guidelines may be banned from the platform.

How Does Quora Compare To Other Q&A Platforms?

Quora is often compared to other Q&A platforms like Yahoo! Answers and Reddit. While each platform has its own unique features and community, Quora is generally regarded as having a more professional and intellectual tone. It also has a larger user base and a more diverse range of topics compared to other Q&A platforms.

Conclusion

Quora is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about a particular topic, connect with others who share their interests or establish themselves as an expert in their field. Its question-and-answer format makes it easy to get quick answers to specific questions, while its community features allow users to engage with others who are passionate about the same topics.

With millions of active users worldwide, Quora is a platform that continues to grow and evolve, providing a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for users. Whether you're a student, researcher, marketer, or simply someone who loves learning, Quora is a valuable resource that can help you achieve your goals.

So why not give it a try and join the millions of users who are already benefiting from this platform? Who knows, you might just find your next favorite community or gain valuable insights that will change your life.

About The Authors

Keith Peterson - I'm an expert IT marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in various Digital Marketing channels such as SEO (search engine optimization), SEM (search engine marketing), SMO (social media optimization), ORM (online reputation management), PPC (Google Adwords, Bing Adwords), Lead Generation, Adwords campaign management, Blogging (Corporate and Personal), and so on. Web development and design are unquestionably another of my passions. In fast-paced, high-pressure environments, I excel as an SEO Executive, SEO Analyst, SR SEO Analyst, team leader, and digital marketing strategist, efficiently managing multiple projects, prioritizing and meeting tight deadlines, analyzing and solving problems.