General Information AB FAQ Permalink

Answerbag is set up as a self-moderating site - AB members are allowed and encouraged to "flag" duplicate questions, nonsense questions and answers, spam or offensive questions or answers, and to suggest categories for questions. While staff moderators* must validate all flags set by members, there are fewer items for them to monitor if members flag the "problems" than if they had to review and moderate every question asked, and every answer given during a single day.

Answerbag members are rewarded "for helping to keep Answerbag organized and family-safe!" Moderating can give you five (5) points each for every accepted flag you make. Questions have five (5) types of flags, and Answers have two (2) types.

The first flag drop-down, above, appears in the Question Box under the Question Ratings Box. The second appears on the right side of each answer, under the Answer Ratings Box.

Both flagging boxes appear on the Question/Answer page, either view (question or answer) following a note image:

All flags MUST be accepted by the Answerbag staff moderators before they go into effect. Until they are accepted, you may note that your Moderation stats (in your "My Points" box) percentage will go down for a while. This is because this percentage is based on the total number of moderations you have made minus all those questions you have flagged that have NOT been accepted (whether rejected or not reviewed yet by staff moderators) divided by the total number of moderations you have made. (Total - Unaccepted) / Total). When all flags are accepted, your percentage should return to normal. (Remember, though, if any are rejected, they will remain PERMANENTLY in your "Unaccepted" number.)

If flags are NOT accepted, you will receive an email for rejected duplicate, nonsense, and spam/offensive questions, and, if the staff feels you are doing this vindictively, or simply for points, and are doing it wrongly, you may incur a penalty (possibly at least 10 points (-10) from your moderation points for all types). NOTE: It's possible that these points are removed from your points required to "level up".

At this time (mid-December, 2008),, there does not appear to be a hierarchy for moderating - It's "first come, first served", however, it appears that unless your flag is specifically rejected, you will receive points. Currently, it appears that Wrong Category can trump Duplicate or Nonsense questions. (I have flagged numerous duplicates, and found that I have received points, even though they have been moved to another category.) Don't count on this, though, as the staff can always reject any moderations they don't feel are correct, if they have the capabilities. I have received word from Rich that they are working on revamping the moderation system. I will attempt to keep you posted on changes.

It's best to learn as much as you can from the emails you receive, to make your moderating better as you go. And remember, once you moderate a question or answer, you are "locked out" of moderating it again, even if it went to what you consider to be the wrong flag. In these cases, maybe you can pass those you feel were accepted wrongly to a friend, since you most-likely received moderations points, anyway.

BE AWARE that even if a flag is accepted, there is the possibility of appeal, where the questioner/answerer (or others) argue for their question/answer by explaining the what was meant, ideas, etc. The question/answer could then be reinstated. Also be aware that even if a question/answer flag is rejected or a question/answer is reinstated, someone else could flag it, and that flag could be accepted. It kind of depends on who on staff is doing the job at the moment at times.

You may also want to know that if you moderate wrongly too many times, you can be PBed (Penalty Boxed). And if you moderate wrongly and Staff believes you to be attempting to "cheat the system", you may be penalized. (The only real way you will know this is that your moderation points go down, or negative points appear in your Points History or Award Log.)

Remember that moderation is a judgment call. What is flag-able in your judgment, may not be flag-able in others'. If you feel rejected flags, or flags for your own questions/answers, are/were in error, see the Erroneously Flagged or Flag Erroneously Rejected? section, below.

* Note about "staff moderators" and flagging/moderation:

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Types of Moderation AB FAQ Permalink

As you can see, there are various types of moderation, different for question and answers. The following subsections will help define each type of moderation:

1. Duplicate (Question Only)
   1. How to Flag Duplicate Questions
   2. Rejected Duplicate Flag
2. Nonsense (Questions and Answers)
   1. How to Flag Nonsense Questions or Answers
   2. Rejected Nonsense Flag
3. Spam/Offensive (Questions and Answers)
   1. How to Flag Spam/Offensive Questions or Answers
   2. Rejected Spam/Offensive Flag
   3. Spam/Offensive Question or Answer
4. Wrong Category (Questions Only)
   1. How to Flag Wrong Category Question
   2. Rejected Wrong Category Flag

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Duplicate (Questions) AB FAQ Permalink

Answerbag's main purpose is to create a database of questions and answers, searchable by anyone on the internet. If a question were to have multiple versions in the database, this search has now become unwieldy, as we have to search all the answers of all the similar question. Therefore, AB has delegated every member to flag duplicate questions, as well as any other moderation flag.

Duplicate questions can occur when someone is not patient after hitting Submit to ask a question, and they hit the Submit button again (and sometimes, multiple times), not realizing that every time Submit is hit, a new question number is generated, and the question added to the database. These are "exact duplicates" whose question numbers are normally relatively consecutive.

They may also occur when someone doesn't pay attention to prior questions asked, and they ask the question again. Sometimes they are relatively close to the same wording, and sometimes they will have different wording, but result in the same answers. Example: What's the first rock-and-roll artist that comes to mind?" and "My favorite rock-and-roll band is: _________?" may be considered the same, since it can be assumed that the first band that would come to mind is your favorite band. These rely on your judgment, and the judgment of the moderator who reviews your flag.

Please note that "What have you done today to make you feel proud?" is not only a perfectly valid question, but if multiples appear, they will probably not be flagged as a duplicate, since "today" means the day it was asked.

Be careful.

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How to Flag Duplicate Questions AB FAQ Permalink

If you believe a question has already been asked on Answerbag:

1. Click the "Flag this question" dropdown menu in the Question Box.
2. Select "Duplicate" (as displayed at the top of this section)

3. A window, similar to the following will appear:

   

   Note that the window displays a list of questions with similar keywords in it. If none of them match, but you still believe the original question was a duplicate, change the search terms. I tend to remove all but the salient words (keywords) that I think may be in the existing question. As you change the search terms, the listed questions will change to better match those entered.

   Each question in the list is a link. You can click on them and they will open in a new window or tab. One reason for this is that sometimes there are more than one that are duplicates.

   Once you have all possible duplicates in new windows or tabs:

   1. Double-check them. If you can see how they may NOT be considered a duplicate - in the above, the one we're looking at is "Rock" band... This is not the same as "industrial" band, "80s" band, or "LEAST favorite" rock band - then close that window/tab.
   2. Once you've closed all non-duplicates, find the earliest that is left (the one with the lowest question number - on the right side of the URL), and select and copy (Control-C) that number (only).
   3. Go to each of the other duplicates and click the "Flag this question" box, selecting "Duplicate"
   4. In the search box, paste (Control-V) the number. The question with that number should appear as the only selection available.
4. Click the CHOOSE button on the question your original duplicates (with the number approach, it's the ONLY one).

The image will change with the part from Search Terms down replaced with a Thank you, and close button. This way, you know your flag has gone through to be approved.

If you wish to cancel, there is a "Cancel" button at the bottom of the list, which will close the window, as will clicking the "X" at the top right of both windows. NOTE: If you do click the "X", you will need to reset the "Flag this Question" to flag it another way.

Now all you have to do is wait until staff moderators accept or reject your flag.

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Rejected Duplicate Flag AB FAQ Permalink

If any of your Duplicate flags are rejected, you will receive an email similar to the following from the Answerbag Admin (). This will come with a subject of "Answerbag Moderation flag was not approved."

The above email is for a question I flagged as a duplicate of an existing question. The email tells me the flag was rejected, It gives me a link to the question I flagged ([question#]) and displays the question.

NOTE: I've also received several duplicate rejections with the reason being "These arenâ?Tt [should be "aren't"] exact duplicates."

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Nonsense (Questions and Answers) AB FAQ Permalink

Nonsense questions and answers are the hardest to moderate. What is nonsense to you may not be nonsense to anyone else. At one time, various types of questions could be flagged as nonsense with impunity. But, apparently, things have changed since Kyogre-Stataen's Answerbag Project New Window, as now "Fill-in-the-Blanks", and many other questions that were listed there, are allowed, such as some questions that are simply numbers (as in binary).

According to Rich's own December, 2006 question and answer in the Moderation Guide / flagging category, "When should I flag an answer or question as 'nonsense'?" New Window:

This is from my answer to "This is a question at the high end AB'ers, how do you get so many moderation points?" New Window:

The "categorized questions" that "explain a situation, but don't really ask anything" referred to those similar to the following question in the "Getting over a breakup" category.

I specifically asked Rich why it wasn't considered nonsense, and he replied:

Some examples of nonsense questions:

1. "What is the name [...]" (incomplete)
2. Most non-English questions or answers, unless asking for a translation (but then, the question should be, "Will you please translate...?")
3. Combinations of letters and/or symbols that don't form a cohesive question ("asd-0f8ayusd aspdkha-0924r?").
4. Combinations of words that don't form a cohesive question. (Be careful here. Elton John recorded a song with lyrics by Bernie Taupin that "just sounded good together" - "Solar Prestige a Gammon". If lyrics are used, they are acceptable! I've also see "beats" accepted: "Dum de dum dum... Dum de dum dum DUMMMMM" - Dragnet theme.)

In member iwnit's answer to "What are the criteria for flagging a question as "nonsense" and having it rejected? Asked a question in good fun, got 7responses..and now I find the question was declared "nonsense". To whom? Not to the 7 respondents...not to me...to whom, then?" New Window, not only does he point to answers about moderating, but he discusses what many consider to be nonsense questions and answers, and has some really good thoughts on them. Check it out.

All I can say here is to trust your gut and try. If it isn't accepted, it isn't accepted.

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How to Flag Nonsense Questions or Answers AB FAQ Permalink

If you believe a question or answer is nonsense, and wish to flag it:

1. Click the "Flag this question" dropdown menu in the Question Box, or the "Flag this Answer" in the dropdown menu by the Answer.
2. Select "Nonsense" (as displayed at the top of this section)

3. A window, similar to one of the following will appear:

    

If you are sure that you wish to flag the question or answer as spam or offensive, and are relatively sure that staff moderators will accept your flag, click the "Yes" button. Clicking "No" will simply close the window, as will clicking the "X" at the top right of both windows. NOTE: If you do click the "X", you will need to reset the "Flag this Question" or "Flag this Answer" to flag it another way.

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Rejected Nonsense Flag AB FAQ Permalink

If any of your Nonsense flags are rejected, you will receive an email similar to the following from the Answerbag Admin (). This will come with a subject of "Answerbag Moderation flag was not approved."

The above email is for a question I flagged as nonsense. The email tells me that the flag was rejected. It gives me a link to the question I flagged ([question#]) and displays the question.

I've also received rejections for nonsense flags because: "Edited to form a proper question.".

Don't flag too fast. The member may always use an answer to continue the question. And, if you find you've run out of room in the Question Box, you should use an answer to finish it.

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Spam/Offensive (Questions and Answers) AB FAQ Permalink

Spam and Offensive questions and answers are the bane of many un-moderated blogs, forums, discussion groups, and question and answer sites.

Spam Questions and Answers are those advertising another site or business. Questions can be as innocuous as "Have you ever heard of [business website]" and Answers usually appear to be a normal answer with links to a website that is asking for money to build a business for the questioner. They also tend to be links to scam sites, where they offer work-at-home jobs, but either will require a purchase, require registration (where they will get personal information), or even explain a "get-rich-quick" scheme. You've received numerous offers like these in emails. (See numerous examples on this site at OFPv2/SSFF - Scams Subsection Home.)

With questions, most times, there will be only one or two from the same person. With answers, though, there will probably be many, most spam answers having to do with making money online or starting a business.

Offensive Questions and Answers tend to ask insulting and nasty questions (many times concerning Answerbag members) or contain spelled out swear words, and/or tend to be threatening. In most cases, it will be very obvious when and if you see one.

However, most people tend not realize that asking for points (or, some call it, "rating" them), positive (UR) or negative (DR), for yourself or others, or promising points in a question is also considered offensive to most ABers. Bargaining for points is also offensive. (Promising to give someone else points for answers or points.)

In the Ansewrbag Blog, on March 4, 2007, Rich asked "So what is Spam, anyway?" New Window. Here's his entry:

According to Rich's own December, 2006 question and answer (last edited December, 2007) in the Moderation Guide / flagging category, "When should I flag an answer or question as 'spam/offensive'?" New Window:

Please note that none of this means you can't use a link in a question or answer. But the question or answer link should be to news stories, articles, videos, etc., that do not require membership registration, money to purchase the articles, offers of scam jobs, surveys for money, etc, Otherwise, it will most-likely be considered spam.

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How to Flag Spam/Offensive Questions or Answers AB FAQ Permalink

If you believe a question or answer is nonsense, and wish to flag it:

1. Click the "Flag this question" dropdown menu in the Question Box, or the "Flag this Answer" in the dropdown menu by the Answer.
2. Select "Spam/Offensive" (as displayed at the top of this section)

3. A window, similar to one of the following will appear:

    

If you are sure that you wish to flag the question or answer as spam or offensive, and are relatively sure that staff moderators will accept your flag, click the "Yes" button. Clicking "No" will simply close the window, as will clicking the "X" at the top right of both windows. NOTE: If you do click the "X", you will need to reset the "Flag this Question" or "Flag this Answer" to flag it another way.

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Rejected Spam/Offensive Flag AB FAQ Permalink

If any of your Spam/Offensive flags are rejected, you will receive an email similar to the following from the Answerbag Admin (). This will come with a subject of "Answerbag Moderation flag was not approved."

The above email is for a question I flagged as spam/offensive (it was offensive, to me). The email tells me that the flag was rejected.  It gives me a link to the question I flagged ([question#]) and displays the question.

I've also received emails with "This is an acceptable question which has provoked conversation" for one I attempted to flag as Spam/Offensive.

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Spam/Offensive Question or Answer AB FAQ Permalink

If you post a question or answer someone flags as Spam/Offensive, and it's accepted by the staff  moderators, you will receive an email similar to the following:

Notice that it does not show you the question (or answer). In this case, you will need to go to your "My Q&A" tab in your profile, and review your questions (or answers), to see which was flagged. Pay attention to the "Status Column".

(By the way, I successfully argued that the question was not spam or offensive and it was reinstated.)

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Wrong Category (Questions) AB FAQ Permalink

There's potential for a LOT of points here.

As originally appeared in my AB Profile, and modified slightly:

NOTE: Questions should NOT normally be moved OUT of the bag (to "Outside the bag") - which to me should be reserved ONLY for those questions the do NOT fall into another category - but should be moved INTO the bag from there, because they may get more responses from those who frequent the categories there.

According to Rich's own December, 2006 question and answer in the Moderation Guide / Flagging category, "Can a question be placed in more than one category?" New Window:

 

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How to Flag Wrong Category Questions AB FAQ Permalink

If you believe a question is in the wrong category, and wish to flag/move it:

1. Click the "Flag this question" dropdown menu in the Question Box.
2. Select "Wrong Category" (as displayed at the top of this section)

3. A window, similar to the following will appear:

   

   It will display an outline of categories leading to the one in which the question is currently located. NOTE: This question was already in it's correct category, and is only used as an example. I have already clicked "Categories", the "top-level" here, which shows the list of categories under it.

   There are two ways to select a new category:

   1. Select the correct category/subcategory. (Each category listed is a link.)
      1. Simply choose the high-level category in which you believe the question belongs.
      2. Continue choosing subcategories until you reach the one in which you wish to place the question.
      3. If you can't find the correct subcategory here, go back to the main category list and start again.
   2. Enter the subject of the question in the search box (in the example question's case, "music"). A drop-down menu will appear of those categories matching what you enter. This is probably the fastest way to recategorize the question.
      1. Selecting one of them will change the list.
      2. You can then use "method a", above to get to the closest subcategory

   NOTE: If you can't find a subcategory at all into which to place the question, use the next highest subcategory or category (ie: A music artist's name is not a subcategory. Choose the genre of music, or, if you aren't sure where they should be placed, chose Music/Genres and Artists)

    

4. When you've done the best you can, click the "Choose Category" button.

The image will change to say, "Thank you. You have recommended to move this question to: [whatever category you chose]. Thanks! Your flag will be reviewed by an administrator shortly." with a "Close" button. At this point, there is no way you can cancel the process, you've made your choice, and you're stuck with it. If rejected, you should receive an email (see below).

NOTE: You can stop the process at any type by clicking the "Cancel" button at the bottom of the categories list, or by clicking the "X" at the top right of both windows. NOTE: If you do click the "X", you will need to reset the "Flag this Question" or "Flag this Answer" to flag it another way.

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Rejected Wrong Category Flag AB FAQ Permalink

If any of your Wrong Category flags are rejected, you will receive an email similar to the following from the Answerbag Admin (). This will come with a subject of "Answerbag Moderation flag was not approved."

The above email is for a question I flagged as in the wrong category. The email tells me that the flag was rejected. It gives me a link to the question I flagged ([question#]) and displays the question.

Don't flag too quickly. The member always have the five minutes after the question is added to change the category, too.

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Erroneously Flagged or Flag Rejected? AB FAQ Permalink

All accepted flags or flag rejections may be appealed. If you feel your question or answer has been flagged (and accepted) in error, or you feel your flag has been rejected in error, you may ask the staff to review it again,, and/or ask for further explanation. That doesn't mean you will always get one, but you can always ask. For your flagged questions or answers, they may be reinstated.

Again, though, remember... Even if the question/answer was reinstated, someone else could flag it, and if it's accepted, again, it could go away, again.

There are two ways to appeal:

1. Reply to Email
   1. The email is sent from the correct address, so simply replying will send your message to the correct people.
   2. Be sure to state your case for why you believe:
      1. Your flag should have been accepted
      2. Your question or answer should be reinstated. (Why it wasn't whatever it was flagged.)
   3. Include any supporting evidence you have.
   4. Send the email.
2. Feedback (for rejected questions/answers)
   1. Go to the question in question (or the question you answered).
      1. Be sure you are in the correct "view"
         1. Question View for the question ("q_view" in URL)
         2. Answer View for the answer ("a_view" in URL)
      2. Even if no longer displayed. (For Answers, you may have to go through your answers (Profile/My Q&A/Answers) to find the right number. Clicking on the Answer there should take you to the right page ( URL).)
   2. Scroll to the bottom of the page
   3. Click "Feedback" in the bottom of page menu.
   4. Fill out the form. The correct URL is already loaded into the form/email. Be sure you state your case, as you would have in the email. The only thing not available this way would be a way to pass images.
   5. Click the "Submit" button.

As with all moderations, don't expect to receive an answer. It's possible you will, but it does tend to be a rarity. Therefore, the only way you may be able to tell is a few days later, the question or answer may be reinstated or flagged, as requested.

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