How is it possible to get so many best answers?

Question

I have gained 6 best answers and how pleased I was to receive them especially the first, as I only type with two fingers and am an average sort of guy. I have been interested in Answers for the past month when I first found out about it, not stupid questions, they are sad and pathetic. In that time I enjoy checing on others that have been doing it for about the same length of time, and find some have around 40 or more, but today I find one with, in excess of 650 best answers in one month. Does that mean they are 644 times cleaverer than me, or how is it done?.

Answer 1

You know when you answer a question and a box pops up saying so-and-so is the top best answerer in this category with 5000 or more best answers? Well, like you, I wondered what separates the creme-de-la-creme from the duller sort of answerer, such as myself.
Finding no questions I felt able to answer well, I browsed through the leadership board profiles ... I saw some interesting things there.
One way was that the person answered questions no-one else had ... an immediate solution, but you can't rely on it.
There are some askers who will choose the same answerer for Best Answer every time, regardless whether other answers are similar. I suspect they have a double username and pick themselves, or otherwise they have a deal going with their friends somehow.
And then you can always get a Best Answer by voting for own (as long as you remember what you wrote.)
There must be lots of other ways too.
I am not saying it is all down to cheating. Some of the top people get there by answering and voting for unresolved questions they are inpartial to, getting points that way. Their profiles show their percantage of Best Answers is very low.
Then there are people who specialize in a certain category and give great answers, it is usually something technical and they know what they are talking about.
I agree with you that it is a great feeling to be chosen as the Best Answer, but the whole point is, you don't know the asker personally. It may feel as if you are giving advice to a friend and that you did your best and worked your hardest to help them. But you don't know them, and the few paragraphs they write won't give you enough insight as to what they really want to hear.
You should never take it personally when an Asker chose somebody else for a Best Answer. Rather you should pat yourself on your back and award yourself some spiritual points for taking the time to try to help someone.

Answer 2

As of this writing, I have 1600 best answers out of 6,990 questions answered. I type with 2 fingers as well - above 50 words per minute according to assessment tests but no one wants to hire me.

I have used one and only 1 Yahoo ID - so I do not have multiple IDs to inflate my score. (Note, I have 4 Yahoo ID's and Yahoo automatically does not allow me to participate in this forum with the other ID's).

I do not know anyone in this forum - so I do not IM anyone to pick my answer as the best and vice versa.

I like it when I get best answer in less than an hour for some questions because the asker was honestly looking for an answer.

My answers have given people hope in bankruptcy and criminal cases.

I stay away from categories where one person dominates (mathgrl826 in Mathematics, for example - even though I'm just as competent of a math buff as she is) or where there is a lot of controversy, point gaming and other inaprropriate behavior.

I spend about 2-4 hours each day answering questions; I have a life - I've spent about 2 hours a day cleaning up a friend's hillside from 15-20 years of overgowth. I travel on public transportation because I have no car. This forum has helped keep my brain sharp and I like to share my knowledge with others.

Answer 3

Just pick a subject that you know something about and answer those questions when people need help!
Some people don't get any, so the fact you've got 6 is better than many. Don't worry about it.

Yahoo keep track of all the votes and gaming for points is against the rules. I've seen one person get caught out but it was obvious, they just posted the same question 10 times a day and then gave themselves best answer, using 2 profiles. Its a bit sad when you think that you don't get anything for points.

Answer 4

I have the most number of Best Answer in the Business and Finance category, and here are my strategies:

1. Answer only what you know. If you are planning on improving your BA percentage, answer only the questions that you think you can answer best. In my case, I stick to Business and Finance category because that is what I know best. I check and read other categories, but I don't answer them if I do not think I can give the best answer.

2. Answer the question with the intent of providing the best answer. Instead of saying "Google the answer" - do it yourself. You'd be amazed at how many users do not know how to search and would reward you with a BA if you just give them links based on the search that you did. Take time to answer the questions well and make sure the answer has a chance to be selected as BA.

3. Research as much as possible about the question. If the person is asking for information on business plans, for example, give the person 5 links instead of just 1 sources. Aside from websites, think of other sources of good information -- e.g. books, associations, magazines, etc. and give the link to the asker.

4. Always put sources for your answer, and make it as credible as possible. Instead of saying "go to this link" summarize what is on that link.

5. In my experience, people love detailed and complete answers -- whatever the length of your response. Though I have lost several points to askers who prefer one sentence responses, people in general like long expounded answers. Long answers show you know the topic very well. If you are giving a short response, make sure it contains everything the asker wants.

6. Develop your "money points" - questions where you've written extremely well responses and search for those questions regularly and answer them. In my case, I always answer questions on availability of grants for business and my batting average for this type of question is 90% best answers.

7. Prepare shortcuts - time is of essence sometimes when you want to be the first person to answer the question. It may be beneficial to have a document of your responses so you can respond fast and quickly when you spot a money question.

8. Don't take YA too seriously. Despite best intentions, despite researching the question well and despite spending so much time crafting your response, your answer oftentimes will be overlooked. Sometimes the asker will select another answer that has more links. Or sometimes the asker will choose an answer that is sooo different from the question, yet the asker liked. Sometimes the asker just don't know anything and selects the answer that is totally wrong. Or sometimes more people simply vote on the other answers, than yours. Just move on.

Answer 5

Well thank you for bringing that to question!
I am one of those people who when I start, want to complete at the top. I have been sat here most evenings, striving to get to level 7!!!! WHAT IS THE POINT!?!? How very sad.
So plan to continue at my leisure as I still enjoy the sensible questions and feel that its fun and nice to communicate in this manner. So wish you well with your Q&As !!!

Answer 6

Friends from school/college/uni giving them a continuous string of best answers for random questions? Or some really good answers? or, a bit of both? some people could just keep giving each other best answers all the time.

Answer 7

I can honestly say that my best answers are based purely on wit, knowledge and a little sarcasm. Stick to areas that you're comfortable and you will find that you will have more to say and will have more in common with people. Oh, and as the saying goes, "cheaters never prosper". Be proud of your legit best answers!

Answer 8

No - I have thought the same thing.
I know some people have more that one account in Yahoo Answers and they just vote for themselves via the other account the whole time.
Console yourself with the fact that at least you still have a life !!!

Answer 9

I think there is a degree of points gaming going on. I suspect some people have more than one Identity, and award themselves best answer! Sad, really.

Answer 10

Some have more then that. I found one the other day that was batting 46% best answers. Now how can that be and be playing the game honestly.