Answerbag's goal is to help people find and share knowledge, and to help them help each other. So, to get good answers, you'll want to write a good question!

General tips:

• Be polite
  
• Keep it short
  
• Don't type in all-caps
  
• Try to sound objective
  
• Read your question twice to make sure it means what you think it means
  
• Don't ask about your company or service
  
• Avoid asking questions that apply to only one person (this is not a chat room!)
  

Questions should be clear, concise, and should ask for a specific response or piece of information. Usually a shorter question gets better answers - if your question is long or has too much personal detail, other people won't want to read it, or they'll get confused by the irrelevant details.

Important: we may already have your answer! Use our search to look for answers, so you don't have to wait for a new answer. We remove duplicate questions from the site, so it helps keep the site clean and organized if you don't post duplicate questions in the first place.

Search here: http://www.answerbag.com/ask

We do allow fun, social questions like "What do you look like?", but we recommend that you keep these to a minimum so you don't annoy users looking for real, helpful information. :)

Some good questions are:

- Can hamsters survive in the wild?
- Why are flamingoes pink?
- Where can I find lyrics for Nirvana songs?

If you want a specific answer, ask a specific question! Clear, concise questions always get the fastest answers.

That said, we accept just about any question that falls within our Terms of Use, so have fun! And remember to give good ratings to people who give good answers!

UPDATE: Please do not ask for points in your questions. These questions will be rejected, and if repeated, further disciplinary action will be taken.

Make sure it's thoughtful and respectful.

Make sure it stimulates thought or conversation.

Use proper spelling and grammar.

Use proper punctuation.

Phrase your question and then ask yourself, "How can I say the same thing using fewer words?"

with a question mark

Go through a lot of questions, and answer them before you really get into asking them, so you have a good idea of the types of questions people answer most.

Make sure, if you're asking about specific games or shows (or the like), that you mention it in the question. (Not everyone pays attention to the categories.)

Make sure the question hasn't been asked before (when you press SUBMIT on the home page, you'll be taken to a screen with the question in the upper left, and previously asked questions that MAY be the same on the right. Read through them and if your answer may be in one of them, then read through IT'S answers, to see if one of those answers satisfies you. If not, either add an answer to the old one (which will renew the question and bring it to the front page), or Ask the question in a different way. The categories are listed below your question... Chose the appropriate one. If you feel the subcategories don't match your question, try another category, and check through them. When you find the appropriate category for your question, submit the question (scroll down to the bottom of the page.)

Don't ask questions that make no sense... "GREEN???" ... "I'm RICH?"... etc. You will be flagged for a nonesense question. Again, if it has to do with a category, mention the category in the question.

DO NOT couch insults into questions, even if you mean them in fun. People will downrate the question, and you will get PO'd.

DO NOT ask for points, for yourself or for others (Positive OR negative). You will be flagged by someone.

Don't worry about points... They will take care of themselves, if your questions and answers are good or funny.

If you are downrated, don't get TOO PO'd. There are kids and trolls who do this just to get reactions. REAL DRs don't count against your POINTS, but DO point out questions or answers that some may not agree with.

Enjoy. Have fun. Watch it - AB can be VERY addicting even to those who are positive they will never get addicted to anything on line.

Hope this helps.

Goo luck! ;-)

Questions and answers must both adhere th the terms of use outlined on this site. A question must not be vulgar, and must be coherent.

I like question that make me think and funny questions

No caps lock!

Not 2 wright in text for starters!!! :)

Use proper grammar.
Don't use all caps.
Use your common sense. (We know you're smart)
Don't be petty.
Don't point people out (especially by names!)
Think well...and...

Have fun!

Ask something provocative, in the sense that someone would stop and think about their personal answer for a second before answering it.