What is Quora?
Quora is a question‑and‑answer platform—a kind of knowledge‑sharing social network—where people ask questions and others answer them. You can think of it as a community‑driven FAQ, covering topics from how to cook pasta to complex questions about tech, business, or philosophy. Anyone can ask, answer, comment, or vote, making it a rich mix of personal insight and expert advice.
Why does Quora matter?
Quora matters because it connects people seeking answers with informed voices who can help. It’s trusted by millions—over 400 million unique visitors per month in 2023 and continuing to grow. Whether you’re researching a topic, forming an opinion, or sharing your expertise, Quora offers real conversations, not just quick posts or tuned feeds.
How do people use Quora?
- Ask a question: You type in any topic you’re curious about.
- Answer or comment: Share what you know—whether you’re an expert or just someone with experience.
- Vote and follow: Upvote helpful answers or follow topics to get updates.
- Quora+ content: Optional paywalled answers that quality contributors can earn from.
What does Quora’s real-name policy mean?
Until April 2021, Quora required people to register using their real names. Now you can use a pseudonym. That change gave more flexibility while still encouraging respectful and sincere discourse.
Why would businesses or marketers care about Quora?
- Reach an engaged audience: Millions use Quora actively to learn and make decisions.
- Build authority: Answering well-written questions helps you showcase expertise in your field.
- Drive traffic or leads: Thoughtful answers that mention relevant content or products can send engaged visitors your way.
What makes answering on Quora effective?
- Be helpful and clear: Focus on real value—not selling.
- Use examples or personal stories: Show how your advice applies in real life.
- Stay on topic and follow the question: A focused answer ranks better and feels genuine.
- Engage with votes and comments: Good discussion improves visibility and trust.
Are there risks or downsides?
- Unmoderated content: Some sensitive topics, like self‑harm or medical advice, can be harmful unless carefully moderated. Quora has faced scrutiny over content moderation.
- Ads and algorithm bias: While most answers are free, promoted content or feeds may influence which questions get seen. That said, Quora aims to prioritize quality, voted‑up responses over ads.
Tips for getting value from Quora
- Looking for answers? Search by question or topic, then follow or upvote to tailor your feed.
- Want to share knowledge? Start by answering a few questions in your niche—consistency builds visibility.
- Use it strategically: Brands or individuals who answer thoughtfully and often tend to build trust and referral traffic.
- Be mindful: On sensitive topics, check the tone and advice given, and flag anything harmful.
Best Practices at a Glance
| Do ✅ | Don’t ❌ |
|---|---|
| Provide clear, concise answers | Shill or promote without substance |
| Be respectful and factual | Add off-topic or personal sales pitches |
| Cite your own trustworthy experience | Assume everything will go viral |
| Engage with upvotes and comments | Ignore community feedback |
In short…
Quora is a friendly, conversational place to ask questions and share what you know. It’s not just another feed—it’s a living Q&A. Whether you’re researching or teaching, Quora offers a practical, informative way to connect minds. Give it a try—ask something, answer something, and see where the conversation takes you.