Why are so many Quora users posting questions that are readily answered on Google?

There are several reasons why many Quora users post questions that could seemingly be answered by a simple Google search:

Depth and Personal Insight

Quora provides a platform for users to seek more in-depth, personalized, and often opinion-based answers that may not be readily available through a Google search. Users on Quora can get responses from experts, individuals with personal experiences, or those who can provide nuanced and detailed explanations that go beyond the concise information typically found on Google35.

Community and Social Interaction

Quora operates more like a social network than a traditional search engine. Users can engage in discussions, vote on answers, and follow topics and people they are interested in. This social aspect encourages users to ask questions to spark conversations, seek opinions, and build connections with others who share similar interests or expertise35.

Specific and Complex Questions

Many questions posed on Quora are complex or open-ended, requiring more than a simple factual answer. These questions often need context, personal experience, or expert opinion, which Google may not be able to provide effectively. Users turn to Quora for these types of questions because they seek a more human and interactive response3.

Validation and Social Proof

Users may ask questions on Quora to validate information or to get social proof. Seeing multiple users discuss and agree on an answer can provide a level of credibility and reassurance that a single Google result might not offer. This is particularly useful for topics where personal opinions or experiences are valuable4.

Incentives for Engagement

Quora's system of upvoting and downvoting answers, along with the ability to build a reputation as an expert, motivates users to both ask and answer questions. Users are incentivized to participate because it allows them to share their knowledge, build their reputation, and help others, which can be more rewarding than simply searching for answers on Google5.

In summary, Quora's unique blend of social interaction, depth of response, and the opportunity to engage with experts and peers makes it an attractive platform for users seeking more than what a standard Google search can provide.