Why Do Websites Like Business Insider and Forbes Use Quora Answers in Their Content?

Have you ever noticed how websites like Business Insider and Forbes often reference answers from Quora in their articles? This practice, while convenient and cost-effective, raises several questions about content authenticity, originality, and SEO strategies. In this article, we delve into the reasons behind this frequent use of Quora answers and explore both the benefits and the controversies it brings to the table.

Why Do Websites Use Quora Answers?

Expert Insights

One of the primary reasons for utilizing Quora answers is the depth of expert insights they offer. Quora is a platform where users from various backgrounds and expertise levels share their knowledge. These insights can add significant credibility and depth to an article, making it more informative and trustworthy.

Engagement

Another key factor is engagement. Quora is highly engaging due to its community-driven content, which often resonates with its readers. By referencing popular Quora answers, these websites can attract readers who are already interested in the topic. This not only increases the chances of reader engagement but also helps in building a loyal audience.

Cost-Effectiveness

Citing user-generated content is a cost-effective way to gather information without conducting extensive interviews or conducting original research. This saves time and resources, making it a practical choice for content creators.

SEO Strategy

Integrating trending or highly searched topics from platforms like Quora is a strategic move to improve search engine optimization (SEO). This helps in driving more traffic to their articles and boosting their online presence. By leveraging popular and often searched topics, these websites can rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), increasing visibility and attracting more readers.

Content Aggregation

Many publications aggregate information from various sources to create comprehensive articles. Quora answers can serve as a quick reference point for existing discussions, helping in the content creation process. This approach allows writers to build upon existing conversations and create more detailed and nuanced articles.

The Debate: Originality vs. Convenience

While the use of Quora answers can provide valuable information, it also raises concerns about the originality and depth of analysis in journalism. Some readers may feel that such articles lack the rigorous research and unique perspectives that traditional journalism typically offers.

Short Answer: An Easy Way for Writers to Put Out Popular Articles

From a writer's perspective, using Quora answers can offer an easy way to produce articles that are likely to be popular. This approach is particularly beneficial for contributors who are not paid professionals but rather individuals looking to build their reputation, often for the purpose of selling books, growing their businesses, or furthering their careers. These contributors may leverage the popularity of specific Quora answers to create articles that address common questions and provide useful insights.

Longer Answer: Writer's Perspective and Benefits

For these contributors, the goal is often to create valuable content that can be easily discovered by their target audience. They can identify popular questions on Quora, which often indicate what readers are interested in, and use these as the foundation for their articles. This method provides a quick way to produce content that resonates with readers and drives engagement. The publication benefits from increased traffic, while the writer gains exposure and builds their reputation in the process.

However, it is important to note that not all articles generated from Quora answers are necessarily copied verbatim. Many writers, including those at reputable publications, use Quora answers as inspiration to craft their own original articles. This approach strikes a balance between leveraging existing content and adding new insights and perspectives.

Conclusion

The use of Quora answers in content creation is a multifaceted issue. While it offers several advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, engagement, and SEO, it also brings concerns about originality and depth. It is crucial for both writers and publications to strive for a balance between leveraging existing knowledge and creating original content that adds value and showcases unique insights.