Before I get started on this matter, I would like to put something right out there – it is against Yahoo Answers to advertise in your answers and questions. Below is an excerpt right from Yahoo Answers TOS.
It doesn’t take a genius for any Yahoo Answers user to realize that the website is still used very widely for advertising. Now the question is, is it effective? If you use Yahoo Answers, you’ve probably browsed through the questions and come across questions that are just FULL of people advertising – usually CashCrate, affiliate sites, and so on. This type of advertising on Yahoo Answers is not very effective, as everyone just looks at it as spam.
On the other hand, I feel that if you know how to use Yahoo Answers properly, you can gain quite a lot from it. Last month (June), I made $200, all thanks to Yahoo Answer. I promoted my car insurance website through Yahoo Answers – all of the traffic came from there. Before I get bashed, I will point out that I did not do what all the spammers on there do – in my opinion at least. I only answered relevant questions, thus questions relating to car insurance. I did not simply place my link in the answer. I answered their question in a very detailed manner, and then placed my link in the source box. To my surprise, many of my answers were chosen as best answer. Below are a few tips for advertising on Yahoo Answers.
1) Your Domain Name
If your domain name is one that comes off as “spammy”, you’re probably out of look, and won’t be able to use Yahoo Answers for advertising effectively. For example, “www.getrichin3days.com” will be deleted 99% of the time
2) Length Of Answers
If your answers are too short, they will likely be deleted. Try to give answers that are at least 4 lines, and preferably more. You need to put some effort in your answer to get the results you want.
3) Quantity
Do not sit down and answer 50 questions, all containing the same link, in one day. Your answers will all be flagged and deleted. Try to do no more than 10 answers a day for the same link.
4) Avatar
Be sure to have an avatar, preferably a custom one (one of yourself is great). When you have an avatar, your answer is a lot less likely to be marked as spam.
5) Use proper grammar, punctuation, etc..
Not doing so also looks like you are a spammer. Take your time to write your answers, and make sure they are all of high quality. If you want results, you can’t skip out on this step.
Even if you follow the tips above, there is still a chance some of your answers will be deleted. Yahoo Answers staff deletes many answers, and sometimes leaves me wondering, why? I’ve seen people post completely relevant links, only to have their answer deleted. Not fair if you ask me.
Yahoo Answers seems to also give an advantage to those who have higher level accounts. If your account is Level 6, the chance of your answer being deleted if you follow the tips I’ve given above are a lot less, whereas if your account is Level 2.
Many people work hard on their Yahoo Answers account, and get frustrated when they see people creating new accounts, and using them to spam almost instantaneously. Well, for all you hard working Yahoo Answers users (including myself) I’ve got good news. This may not be new to everyone, but I will put it out there anyways. As of July 1st, Yahoo Answers introduced a new policy. Links posted from Level 1 accounts will NOT be linked too. This is a measure taken to stop spammers from creating many new accounts, and spamming. You can view the announcement by Yahoo Staff here.
This is great news for all of us who actually work hard on our accounts. Recently I had been seeing a huge spike in spammers on Yahoo Answers, and this new policy made me quite happy. As you can see from the photo, I’m quite an avid user of Yahoo Answers, as I’m sure many others are too. It is a fun environment where you can help others, or get help in seconds.
On another note, if you would like to promote your site through Yahoo Answers, but don’t have the time, there are many freelancers available that will do the job for quite cheap. Although, it is important that you look for a freelancer who will post quality answers. There are many copy-pasters out there, and they will end up getting your link flagged.
Have you had any success with Yahoo Answers in the past? If so, please share your story. Also, if you’re a regular user of Yahoo Answers, please share how many points you have, what level you are, and what percent of your answers were voted best answer.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I have used Yahoo Answers in the past to promote different sites that I was involved with. All of you tips are good.
I would say quantity and grammar are more important than any other. There were times when I was wondering why my answers were deleted, eventually I figured out it was because I had responded to too many questions that day. I couldn’t figure out after how many they started deleting my answers but 10 or less answers with links in them per day should be fine. About grammar all I will say is: grammar, grammar, grammar. It seems as if there are some mean English teachers who moderate Yahoo Answers, especially answers with links in them.
275 best answers? Your an old man! Lol. Your statistics really show how worthy you are despite of your age as a blogger. Thanks for sharing this information. I never thought about this seriously. I may try this, if I will have enough time.
Vic
I saw many people there doing question and answer themselves. It’s a good trick of course..but i feel its loosing the reputation/brand value of the blog.
You got it Jason. I too found myself confused as for why my answers were being deleted. I then started doing less answers per day, and found my answers not being deleted. Problem solved.
As for grammar, you’re completely right. Link + Bad Grammar = Deleted Answer!
Haha! Thanks Vic. I usually do a bit of research before I answer. I also try to answer very “professionally” — proper grammar, punctuation, etc.. It really does work, because many people on Yahoo Answers do not pay attention to those things. Doing so makes your answer stand out from others
I have also seen that. When I was promoting my car insurance website, I noticed there was one user who constantly had his answers chosen as Best Answer. His answers were not even what I, or others, would categorize as Best Answers. I soon realized he was simply making multiple accounts, asking questions, answering himself, and choosing his own answer as the best answer. Kind of an unethical way to work if you ask me.
It seems that hiring a dedicated resource to work on your “yahoo answers” project is the best thing to do. However care has to be taken to ensure that the resource is intelligent enough to maintain originality and creativity.
Coincidentally I was just starting to get into Yahoo Answers today, so your post came at the right time for some guidance. I was hoping to try something new, and see what are the results from there. Hope for the best. ^^ Thank you, Gooroo (as in ‘Guru’?)
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
Agree 100% with your writing on YA tips. I’m also ever try promotion via yahoo answer but not too effective, i hope with your tips, my promotion on YA become effective and yahoo not think my post is spam.
I’m concerned, when i look around on yahoo answer, there is a people only post a link, it’s clearly SPAM. Their do a big mistake.
Thanks for your tips
Nice way to drive quality traffic. You can also use orkut community in similar fashion.
The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you’ve got it made.
I agree with you. There are too many people offering Yahoo Answers service, but they put very little time and care into their work. It is hard to find someone who knows exactly what they are doing — nonetheless, it is still possible.
Glad to hear my post has been of help to you!
Yahoo Answers is a very useful tool, given you use it properly. Hope my thread has gave you some tips on doing so.
And yes, Gooroo as in Guru. I thought I’d be unique and spell it differently
Akira,
Glad you enjoyed the tips. Like I said, Yahoo Answers recently introduced a feature so that only those above Level 1 can post links. Thus, users can no longer create an account, and immediately post links. Instead, they must reach Level 2 first — something most spammers are not willing to do.
Glad you enjoyed it Ricky. I agree — Orkut can be used similarly.