Does it matter if someone cheats at Yahoo Answers?

Question

I've found some cheaters, or at least what appear to be people with multiple accounts, or a group of friends that vote for each others answers, or something to do with promoting Napolean Hill

http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile?show=995394df5d8cb4e8473c170e93ec0e90aa
http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile?show=2a09579bef8eb488bd246a0ef80a8f84aa

Anyway, is this at all wrong? I feel it is, but then I realize that voted on answers are usually worse then answers chosen by askers. I also have to wonder, if more people voted would that fix the problem or make it worse :P

I feel it's wrong because it seems like they are just promoting things, some of what they say is just wrong, like the 10% of the brain myth :P
http://www.snopes.com/science/stats/10percnt.htm

Why don't I report it? Because I don't know if it really matters...

Baby girl, you are kind of restating my question.

I don't think for them it's about point farming, it seems they both promote their ideas, and a book by that Napolean Hill fella. Almost like spam.

Answer 1

it doesn't matter! there are people who asks questions and answers those questions the right way. that is what matters.

for me, i just don't answer questions to gain points but to share information from what i learned. it also gives me satisfaction to answer questions and better if my answer is chosen as the best answer.

Answer 2

If it's just about point farming I really don't see much harm in it. People will do this sort of thing regardless and it doesn't really mean much if you look at the bigger picture of what should be here which is people giving answers to questions asked regardless of how good or bad the responses are. In most cases the good answers get picked.

What I do see a problem with is if it is intentionally awarding best answers to incorrect replies. That lowers the quality of the content and does make a difference in what is credible information. Then again, if that's the case, we all have internet access and can look it up ourselves to find any contradictions in the given answer. That's what we all should be doing anyway since many times the best answer isn't always right.

Answer 3

Well if you feel these worthless points are worthy of your time to report it then I guess you should. I personally don't see what's to be gained or lost by cheaters, I don't understand this game at all. I haven't ever looked at the rules. There is nothing to win or lose. I'd trade my points for a used ball point pen! Half a stick of gum. A drag off a cigarette! Those things have worth comparitively. I find it amusing to answer and ask. It's fun and interesting. The points thing just makes no sense to me, but that's me. Perhaps I just don't get something that everyone else sees. It's possible. I still wouldn't drop a dime though, it's just not done where I'm from.

Answer 4

Truthfully, this forum\discussion group is really about asking a question and gathering either opinions, or answers that are "correct". some topics are too general or too specific for web search. the points are supposed to reflect contribution, "expertise", and appropriate answers to questions given. if some clown wants to run up points by answering questions with absurd bs comments, then so be it. point farming is gonna happen. this is not a competition, but it is a conversation. if the persons engaging in that kind of activity were in the room with you and conversing, you would either tell them to be quiet, or ignore them. consider the source and when you ask a question, look for answers that are on topic and relevant, and ignore the rest.

Answer 5

It's against the community guidelines and it's definitely immature, juvenile behavior, but so what? Who reads the "resolved" questions anyway. No harm, no foul. I'd rather report the really abusive posts such as certain epithets and slurs, insulting other participants, impersonating other posters, and adult content (some of it anyway).

Answer 6

Report them to Yahoo as point gaming. Click on the flag.

Answer 7

for the forum to have meaning and substance, such cheaters are a shame. they dilute and spoil this q&a. i don't know what can be gained, unless they have a serious agenda.

Answer 8

Do you really care? Does this impact your life in some way? There are greater injustices in the world that could use your zeal.

Answer 9

I vote for random drug testing of the individuals on this site who are at level four and above...

Answer 10

i looked at those two accounts and i dont see how they are related but if thats what they are doing then its wrong..they shud get reported everyone else is doing it honestly.