Top 10 Popular Q&A Websites Around the World

Ask.com is a search engine similar to Google, but with a focus on providing direct answers rather than just search results, unlike the other Q&A sites in this list. Originally known as Ask Jeeves, Ask.com is one of the most widely used search tools across the globe. Launched in 1996, it gained rapid popularity by emphasizing natural language queries to supplement keyword-based searches.

This website helps users find relevant pages by entering the topics they are interested in. Ask.com, which rebranded from 'Ask Jeeves' in 2006, stands out by allowing users to preview snippets of a webpage before clicking, simply by hovering over a small magnifying glass icon. While Ask.com no longer holds the prominence it once had due to competition from Google and Microsoft Bing, it still maintains a loyal user base. The site’s president, Doug Leeds, is actively exploring new directions for the platform.

Website: https://www.ask.com/

Question.com is a popular Q&A platform covering various topics such as love, family, friends, science, and technology. The two most frequently used features on Question.com are 'Ask a Question' and 'Answer Questions.' With a large, active user base, any question posted on the site is usually answered quickly. Although it may not be as specialized or in-depth as other sites, Question.com is loved for its wide range of topics and its relevance to everyday life.

The website’s interface is simple and user-friendly, making it easy for new users to navigate. The two main sections are also easy to access. You can even search for previously answered questions directly on the site. The history of popular questions across various categories is clearly categorized, ensuring that both questions and answers are well-organized. Despite the rise of other search platforms and apps, Question.com remains popular due to its simplicity and quick response times.

Website: https://www.question.com/

Avvo.com is a dedicated Q&A platform focused on the legal profession in the United States. It serves as an invaluable resource for anyone studying or working in law. With over 10.1 million questions and answers, the site has gained immense popularity. Typically, questions are answered in under 15 minutes, often by experts in the field. In fact, studies show that 97% of U.S. lawyers are part of this community.

Unlike traditional lawyer marketing websites, Avvo offers far more detailed information. While other sites simply allow lawyers to list their contact details for a fee, Avvo provides a deeper look at their qualifications. Lawyers can post online resumes showcasing their education, work history, published credits, awards, and notable cases. They can also link to their website or articles they've written. On Avvo.com, lawyers can answer legal questions posed by users, allowing potential clients to find attorneys based on their area of expertise, location, or specific legal issues.

Website: https://www.avvo.com/

Chegg.com is the final entry on our list. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Chegg is an American educational technology company. By March 2020, it reported 2.9 million subscribers to its services. In June 2021, Chegg unveiled a new educational initiative, offering a platform for professors and educators to share content. Over the years, Chegg has acquired several services such as CourseRank, Cramster (homework help), Notehall (a marketplace for class notes), and Zinch (a scholarship search and networking service for high school students and college recruiters).

Primarily serving high school and college students in the U.S., Chegg offers a wide range of services. Its core offerings include buying and renting textbooks (both digital and physical), career opportunities, and student support. It also provides access to various scholarships for students applying for university admission. While Chegg.com is predominantly aimed at U.S. residents, international students studying in the U.S. will find it to be an invaluable resource.

Website: https://www.chegg.com/

Ask.Fm is a global social networking platform where users can send questions to others. Initially designed as an anonymous social media site, it encouraged users to submit questions without revealing their identities. Now, users have the option to ask questions anonymously or with their identities visible. The platform also allows paying members and top users to initiate private conversations, while others can engage in public chats, either revealing or hiding their identities.

Ask.fm also lets users post answers on their profiles in various formats, including text, video, or images. These responses can be liked or reacted to with a fire emoji. Currently, the mobile app offers a more interactive experience compared to the web version.

Website: https://ask.fm/

Askubuntu.Com is a community-driven question-and-answer website focused on the Ubuntu operating system. It is part of the Stack Exchange network, utilizing similar software to that of Stack Overflow.

The platform allows users to ask and answer questions, with the added functionality of voting up or down on questions and answers. Users can earn reputation points and 'badges' for their contributions. For example, a user gains 10 reputation points when their answer receives an 'upvote'.

Users can submit edits to questions and answers in a wiki-style format, which will go through a peer review process. However, users with over 2,000 reputation points can directly edit questions and answers without needing peer approval. Some posts are marked as 'community wiki', requiring fewer reputation points to edit.

Website: https://askubuntu.com/

StackExchange was founded in 2008 by renowned developers Joel Spolsky and Jeff Atwood, initially under the name StackOverflow. It is now a network of Q&A websites focused on various topics, with each site dedicated to a specific subject. Users participate by asking and answering questions, earning reputation points as they contribute. This reputation system allows self-moderation on each site. StackOverflow became one of the leading platforms for programming Q&A, with quick responses from an active community, all provided for free.

The primary goal of each StackExchange site is to facilitate user-driven Q&A. Users can vote on questions and answers, earning reputation points through this process. After the success of StackOverflow, Joel and Jeff expanded the platform to create StackExchange, and it remains a free service. Today, StackExchange includes over 100 websites covering topics in technology, science, and more. Notable sites include StackOverflow (programming), ServerFault (server management), Mathematics (math), and AskUbuntu (Ubuntu OS).

Website: https://stackexchange.com/

CodeProject is a renowned Q&A website focused on programming, offering coders valuable news, information, and source code. The site features a general discussion forum where software developers can share insights and collaborate. Additionally, there is a quick-response section for posting questions and receiving technical support promptly. By registering with a simple process, users can ask questions, initiate discussions, and receive weekly updates.

CodeProject currently boasts a vast community of nearly 15 million users. Its discussion forums are organized into various topics, categorized by programming languages, development platforms, and web services. Popular topics include .NET, C#, Java, C++, Android, SQL, and Web development. CodeProject continues to expand its content and discussion areas to engage talented developers from around the world.

Website: https://www.codeproject.com/

Quora is one of the most popular Q&A platforms today, covering a wide range of topics across various fields. It serves as a repository of valuable articles written and shared by users within the community. While Quora covers an extensive range of subjects, many answers are provided by experts, making it a highly valuable resource, particularly for information on programming and software development. After signing up, you can instantly ask questions by clicking the 'Ask Question' button or contribute answers via the 'Write' button located on the top bar.

Additionally, Quora allows users to create blogs to share information on any topic of their choice. Some popular blogs on Quora include: Leading a Better Life (http://abetterlife.quora.com), which offers motivational and life-guidance articles; Hacker News (http://hn.quora.com), dedicated to technology, hacking, and startups; Product Design Inspiration, offering design examples for software products; and Coding Humor (http://codinghumor.quora.com), which compiles funny IT-related posts and images.

Website: https://www.quora.com/