The Curious Case of Quora's Algorithm and Its Impact on User Experience
Quora, the popular QA platform, has recently tweaked its algorithm in a way that confuses and frustrates many of its users. This change involves placing direct answers to user-posed questions towards the bottom of the page, beneath related questions. This article delves into the implications of this update, discusses the reasoning behind it, and explores the potential effects on user satisfaction and platform revenue.
The New Order of Answers
Users have noticed a significant change in the order of answers on Quora. Instead of having direct answers prominently displayed at the top of the page, related questions and answers are listed first, with direct answers appearing towards the bottom. This shift can be attributed to a strategic decision made by Quora, albeit one that has caused frustration among its user base.
Reasons Behind the Change
One possible reason for this change is to increase engagement and ad revenue for Quora. By prioritizing related questions and answers, the platform can encourage users to browse through more content, potentially increasing the likelihood of clicking on advertisements. The idea is that users who are more engaged are more likely to click on ads, thereby generating more revenue for Quora.
Another reason could be the desire to revisit and repurpose older content. By initially presenting related questions, Quora might be attempting to activate dormant or dead content. While this approach aims to draw attention to new content, it can lead to a suboptimal user experience as many users opt to search for direct answers elsewhere.
The Frustration Factor
Many users express frustration with the new algorithm, stating that it makes finding the most relevant and direct answers more difficult. This change has led to a perceived decrease in user satisfaction and, in some cases, has driven users to search for answers elsewhere. Additionally, the time required to find the desired information has increased, leading to higher user annoyance levels.
For instance, users have to click on an icon below the question to find direct answers, or they need to click on "All related" to limit results to direct answers. In some cases, they may need to click on "Answer" at the start of a long response to see the full detailed answer, and then click back to "Details" for the next answer. These additional steps can be perceived as unnecessary and inconvenient.
Historical Context
The decision to change the answer order stems from a series of internal development and management challenges at Quora. The company initially employed a developer to create a script that listed related questions and answers first. However, this developer was laid off before he could finish the script to reverse the order. The company's remaining developer was unable to complete the task due to extenuating circumstances, leading to the current order of answers.
The convoluted history of this change includes the layoff of the HR department, which made it impossible for the remaining developer to return to the office. The company then turned to external tools like ChatGPT and an unfinished internal AI, but the result was a failed implementation. The initial script was written in Ruby, while the developer who could have completed it was proficient in Python, causing further complications.
User Workarounds and Future Outlook
Despite the confusion and inconvenience, users have found ways to navigate the updated order of answers. By clicking on icons or using specific filters, users can access direct answers without much hassle. However, these workarounds require active user engagement and do not fully address the root of the problem.
Looking ahead, the future of Quora's algorithm is uncertain. As the platform continues to evolve, it is essential for the company to strike a balance between increasing user engagement and maintaining a positive user experience. This requires addressing the underlying issues that led to the current order of answers and investing in user-friendly features.
In conclusion, while Quora's recent algorithm change aims to increase engagement and revenue, it has proven to be counterproductive in terms of user satisfaction. The platform must find a way to improve the user experience and regain the trust of its users.
Conclusion
Quora's decision to place direct answers at the bottom of the page has sparked frustration among its user base. By understanding why this change was implemented and exploring user workarounds, we can better appreciate the challenges faced by the platform and the necessity for a more user-centric approach to algorithmic changes in the future.
Keywords
The article covers the following keywords:
Quora - The QA platform in focus. Direct Answers - Answers that are relevant and directly address user questions. User Experience - The overall quality and enjoyment of using Quora's platform.