Modifying Quora Moderation for a Better User Experience

Quora, a popular platform for gathering answers and insights on a myriad of topics, faces numerous challenges in maintaining the quality and integrity of its user-generated content. While technology cannot solve all social problems, it can empower users to address and improve these challenges. This article explores several modifications that Quora can implement to enhance user experience and empower its users, thereby reducing the workload for moderators and improving the overall quality of the platform.

Transparency is Key

One of the most significant issues with Quora is the prevalence of spam, particularly Question Post Promotion (QPP) spam. To address this, more transparency is needed in how the platform operates. By making certain data more visible, users can make more informed decisions when engaging with the platform. For instance, displaying the following information would help deter spam:

1. Number of People Asked to Answer

Users should know how many individuals the questioner approached for answers. If the questioner reached out to only a few people, it suggests a genuine interest in the topic. Conversely, if the number is large, it may indicate spam activity.

2. Question Frequency and Recency

Tracking how frequently a user asks questions and when they last did so can shed light on potential spam activity. If a user asks dozens of questions in a single day, it is a strong indicator of spam.

3. Answer Quality Indicators

Providing users with metrics such as median average upvotes, the number of different users who have answered, and the average reshares and upvotes for questions and answers can give a clearer picture of the quality and authenticity of content.

4. User-Generated Content Analytics

Offering an aggregated quality metric or a user rank based on the questioner's activity can further enhance transparency. This could include the number of answers the user has written, as well as the number of questions asked and answered.

Technological Solutions for Spam and Plagiarism

Combating spam and plagiarism requires a combination of transparency and technology. Basic tools like plagiarism checkers can significantly reduce the volume of duplicate and low-quality content. Tools can also be used to identify and flag numerous variations of questions posted by the same user. Additionally, increasing question limits can discourage excessive posting.

1. Implementing Plagiarism Checkers

A rudimentary plagiarism checker can effectively identify patterns and duplicate content. This technology can act as a first line of defense by flagging potential spam and plagiarism, freeing up moderators to focus on more complex issues.

2. Monitoring Question Variations

.Flagging questions that show slight variations but are essentially the same can help reduce the volume of spam. This involves analyzing the text of questions posted by the same user to identify commonalities and overarching themes, which can then be monitored.

Enhancing User Accountability

Increasing accountability among users is a powerful tool for improving behavior on the platform. Implementing measures that limit the number of questions a user can post per day or placing stricter limits on anonymous questions can help streamline moderation processes. While stricter controls on anonymous posts may be necessary, allowing users to have multiple accounts can sometimes lead to abuse.

1. Structuring User Limits

Setting daily limits on the number of questions a user can submit addresses the root cause of spam. Similarly, limiting the number of anonymous questions can significantly reduce the noise and spam traffic on the platform.

2. Increasing Account Investment

To combat multi-account abuse, increasing the barrier to account creation is an effective strategy. This can be achieved by requiring users to invest some time and effort, such as waiting a certain number of days before gaining full privileges, or by requiring a small fee that improves the credibility of users.

3. Requiring Account Verification

While requiring identity verification might deter many legitimate users, implementing a system where verified accounts receive greater privileges, or where the process is optional but encourages credibility, can strike a balance. This approach not only enhances accountability but also improves the quality of discussions on the platform.

Conclusion

By implementing these changes, Quora can empower its users to take a more responsible role in maintaining the platform's integrity. These modifications will not only reduce the workload for moderators but also improve the overall user experience. As technology and transparency tools continue to evolve, Quora has the potential to become a more robust and reliable source of knowledge and discussion.