Why Quora Hides Detailed Answers in Comments and How to Find Them

Have you ever encountered a Quora question that once had detailed answers but now they're hidden in comments? This can be frustrating if you're looking for specific information. In this article, we'll explain why Quora makes this change and how to locate the details you need.

Why Quora Changes Question Details

Starting in the summer of 2017, Quora began transitioning detailed answers to comments. This decision was made to streamline the main question page and ensure it remains succinct and relevant. Here are the reasons behind this change:

Reducing Clutter: Detailed answers can make the main question page cluttered and overwhelming. By moving them to comments, Quora aims to provide a cleaner, more focused interface for new users and frequent visitors alike. Maintaining Relevance: As questions are frequently updated or merged, detailed answers can become obsolete. Moving them to comments allows users to focus on the most current and relevant information. Moderation and Quality Assurance: Comments can be moderated more effectively than detailed answers directly under the question. This helps maintain a higher quality of content for all users.

How to Find Hidden Details

If you need to find the details moved to comments, there's a straightforward process:

Visit the question page and look for the Comments bubble (usually denoted by the number of comments). Click on the bubble to open the comments section. Here, you should find the details you need.

In some cases, you can also:

Use the Menu: Click on the three dots (...) to the right of the question title. Under the menu, you should see an option to View Comments. Expand the Question: Click the question title itself to ensure it's fully loaded. This often reveals more information and links to the comments.

Rare Exceptions and Considerations

While moving details to comments is the norm, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind:

Unnecessary Details: As mentioned, Quora notes that these details are rarely relevant unless you're specifically interested in historical information. If the details seem irrelevant to your query, it might not be worth the effort to locate them. Question Merging: When questions are merged or edited, older details may not appear in new versions. This helps keep the question page up-to-date and focused on the most current content. Banner Notification: Sometimes, you may see a banner at the top of an answer indicating the precise wording of the original question at the time of the answer. This is useful for context but might not always include specific details.

Conclusion

While it might be annoying to have to search for details moved to comments, understanding why and how to find them can make the process smoother. Remember, Quora's goal is to provide the most relevant and up-to-date information, which means sometimes that means organizing details differently. By following these steps, you can access the information you need without frustration.

If you have any more questions about Quora or need help with finding specific details, feel free to reach out. Understanding how platforms like Quora function can save you time and effort in the long run.