| Yahoo Answers is a place where anyone can post a | | | | the best answer. That's because I'm being realistic and |
| question to be answered by anyone else. Yet, despite | | | | probably recommend they spend money on a proper |
| the fact that total strangers with absolutely no | | | | program. The asker would rather hear that they can |
| expertise are answering business, legal, and health | | | | get good results without using a marketing firm which |
| problems, the number of questions continues to grow. | | | | would cost them. So they get answers that are faulty |
| Perhaps because this is a free site, this is the case, but | | | | and obviously given by people totally ignorant of |
| it's rather troubling at best. You can see business | | | | common advertising practices. |
| people asking how to market their products and the | | | | They same is true for health questions and this is a far |
| answers they receive could be from a ten year old. | | | | more serious area. My wife is an RN with her Masters |
| As a further example, there are those who need | | | | degree and sees the various medical questions and |
| solutions to real estate contracts and divorce | | | | answers on YA. This can have devastating effects. |
| information. Again, they get answers that may or may | | | | No one should be asking health advice from complete |
| not be accurate because anyone has a chance to | | | | strangers. I understand the desire to save money and |
| provide them information or miss-information. One | | | | those not wanting to contact a doctor. People fear |
| hopes that these people don't take the Yahoo | | | | doctors for a variety of reasons but, if they have a |
| Answers as the final word. | | | | condition that requires treatment, there are few |
| For example, I'm an advertising and marketing "expert" | | | | options. If they must go online seeking information or a |
| with 35 years experience. I have a degree in | | | | response to a health question, why not ask a |
| advertising, a Masters in teaching, owned my own | | | | professional that is trained in the field? Sure, there may |
| advertising agency, and was a consultant for 25 years. | | | | be a cost involved, but look at the alternative. On YA |
| Therefore, I consider myself fairly knowledgeable in | | | | you get general, unqualified answers that are mostly |
| most areas of PR, marketing, and promotion. I | | | | worthless anyway. But asking a doctor or nurse online, |
| sometimes wander over to YA to see who's asking | | | | you have a much better chance at solid advice that |
| what. The responses are often times in accurate and | | | | might actually help your ailment or condition. |
| misleading. I try to offer help but am rarely chosen as | | | | |