Understanding Quora’s Decision to Remove Topic Addition

Have you noticed that Quora has taken away the ability to add topics to your questions? With recent changes, this once-vital feature is no more. This article aims to provide insights into why this change was made and what it means for users.

Quora’s Effort to Simplify the Experience

In 2021, Quora decided to remove the option to add topics to questions. This move was part of a broader strategy to streamline the question-and-answer process and make the platform more user-friendly. Prior to this change, users could associate up to five topics to a question. This was an attempt to categorize questions and enhance user experience by helping them find relevant content more easily.

Why the Change?

Interestingly, Quora discovered a significant issue: users were not utilizing topics consistently. In fact, only a tiny fraction of questions included any topics. This realization nudged Quora towards concluding that the topics feature was not providing much added value. Removing this option resulted in an uptick in question submissions, suggesting that users found the process more straightforward without having to assign topics.

Impact on Users

Some users have voiced concerns, particularly about the loss of fine-tuning their feed. Before, contributors could blacklist specific topics, allowing them to filter out unnecessary or unwanted content. While features like manual blacklisting remain, the absence of automatic topic suggestions can make the experience less personalized.

Abuse and Misuse

The removal of topic addition was partly due to abuse by certain users and bots. Some individuals and automated scripts were exploiting the system, leading to discrepancies in topic assignments. For example, if a question contained the word 'note,' the system might inadvertently match it with incorrect topics.

Contacting Quora Support

If you have any questions or concerns about this change, you can reach out to Quora support. Their team is dedicated to ensuring the best possible user experience and addressing user feedback.

Overall, while the removal of topic addition has its drawbacks, it represents a strategic decision to enhance the core functionality of Quora. The platform remains committed to providing comprehensive and informative content for its users.