What does it take for an answer to be chosen as 'best answer'???

Question

i have answered like almost 20 questions with deep thought, and none of them have been chosen as best answer.....so please just give some tips. am i doing something wrong???


chynna

Answer 1

You are not doing anything wrong. When it gets right down to it - MOST TIMES a best answer is chosen based on your answer being the MOST PLEASING to the asker and not necessarily the most concise answer.

I have found that a lot of people ask answers when they want people to side with them/share their opinions so that they feel supported (like they've got someone in their corner or who understands their beliefs). This is very true of certain categories.

The more technical categories, such as Computers and Electronics is a different ball game. The people who ask technical questions will MORE OFTEN THAN NOT choose the best suited answers since they are after a solution to a problem and not someone who shares their opinion.

Such is the nature of human beings.

Answer 2

if you go back and look at your answers on your home page, many of them are still open questions, After someone posts a question, it remains open for four hours before the asker has the opportunity to pick it as best answer. Mind you, not everyone that posts a questions actually takes the time to acknowledge the "best answer" A lot just get the information they want and never go back to pick. In that case, the question remains open for a longer period of time, I am not positive but it seems to be about 4-5 days and then it is open for the general yahoo community to vote on. If there is a tie, it is extended until the tie is broken by voters. So in all actuallity sometimes the "best answer" is not truly the best answer but as someone metnioned above, the luck of the draw.

Answer 3

I guess it depends on the person who asked the question. You may have answered it in the best possible way to most people but if the person who asked it didn't understand it then it won't be chosen as the best. You may have thought hard to answer some questions but now at least you'd know that its not the head that works for all of the questions. Sometimes its the heart.

Answer 4

The answer had to strike a cord with the asker...it doesn't mean that your answer is bad or wrong or in any way worse than the best answer chosen. Don't EVER take it personally!!! What you are doing is a great thing. And though your answer may not be what the asker is looking for, it might mean something to someone else. You never know whose life you are going touch so keep doing what your doing. It's good karma!!!!

Answer 5

Hi chynna(?). I have received over 800 best answers. Here are my observations.

1) Most often, I get a 'best answer' when my answer matches the answer the questioner already had in his/her mind! Simply, when my answer agrees with the questioners 'thinking' they like it and give me the rating.

2) Usually, the answers I give that I think are truly brilliant or insightful, DON'T get a best answer.

3) Surprisingly often, answers I give without much thought or effort DO get 'best answer'.

Go figure!

Answer 6

There isn't a formula. One person's sincere answer is taking it too seriously to someone else. One person's well thought out joke is inappropriate to someone else. Enjoy the randomness of it all. If if bothers you, make your answer early and keep it short and to the point. This will make it more striking and people will be more likely to read and think about what you have written rather than risk them skimming it or giving them nothing to think through for themselves. Best of all, don't take it personally. It is not an academic test. You don't really know what they are looking for, what will strike a chord and what will be new to them. Just take pride in an answer well thought through.

Answer 7

I've just read a couple of your answers. Your doing fine. Just keep plugging away and the votes for best answers will come. One tip though - try getting your answer in the first few. When a question is put to the vote people tend to vote for those at the high end of the list.

Answer 8

It took me about 40 answers to start getting "Best Answer" ratings, so number of answers is definitely a factor. Apart from that:

1. Answer questions that nobody else is likely to answer. If yours is the only answer (rare, but it happens) it's more likely to be selected as the best answer (don't know if Yahoo automatically assigns that status once the question is closed, should there be no more answers).

2. Look for emotions in the question and answer those rather than (or in addition to) the facts requested. Hard to explain. For example, someone's question may state that it's about Excel but a word or phrase may indicate that he/she is actually looking for approval from a teacher / parent.

You're doing fine. You desire to help and you desire to win. That's a winning combination in my book. Just stick at it.

All the best.

Answer 9

This is an encouragement and appreciation for the person who gives a true and perfect reply of the question what has levelled before him. This acknowledgment is the acceptance and motivation to such people who conceptually is well talented and competent. And such appreciation and best answer announcement is the impetus to attract others to enter in the debate so that he/ she can also be encouraged.

Answer 10

It depends on how many users give you a thumbs up in the time frame the question is posted as an open question. Regardless of how deep it is, if no one reads it and gives it a thumbs up, it will not be the best answer.