Asking Questionsand Viewing Answers

As you can see in Figure 26.1, the main Google Answers page (answers.google.com) is where you ask your questionsand get your answers. You can even browse or search through previously answered questions, which is a good way to start your research. (There's no point reinventing the wheel, after all.)

Figure 26.1. Google Answerswhere you pay for professional research.

Viewing Previously-Answered Questions

While asking your own questions is the bread-and-butter of Google Answers, you can also view the answers to questions that other users have asked. All previously answered questions are organized by category; you can browse through the categories or search for available answers using the Search Google Answers box.

Browsing for previously answered questions is as easy as clicking through the categories listed at the bottom of the Google Answers home page. When you click a category link, you see a list of questions asked in that category, as well as additional subcategories of questions, as shown in Figure 26.2.

Figure 26.2. Viewing previously asked questions.

You can also search the Google Answers database for particular questions. Just enter your query into the Search Google Answers box, select whether you want to view all questions, answered questions only, or unanswered questions only, and then click the Google Search button. You'll now see a list of questions similar to that shown in Figure 26.2.

On the search results page, questions that have been successfully answered are noted by the word Answered in the Status column. Questions that are still waiting to be answered have an X Days Left status; questions that were not answered within 30 days are listed as Expired. The price that the original questioner paid for the answer is listed in the Price column; as a latecomer to the discussion, you can view the answer for free.

To view a question and its answer, start by clicking the question title. This displays the View Question page, like the one shown in Figure 26.3. The original question is listed at the top of this page, followed by the accepted answer.

Figure 26.3. A question and resulting answer.

Below the answer is the rating that the original questioner gave to the answer, along with any comments the questioner had (see Figure 26.4). Below that are comments from other users, which often add valuable information to the original answer. (Take these comments with a grain of salt, however; they're not paid for!)

Figure 26.4. Comments on the answer, and additional comments on the question.

Adding Your Comments to a Question

Any registered user of Google Answers can comment on any question asked. All you have to do is access the question, scroll down to the Comments section, and then click the Add a Comment button. This expands the Comments section to include the Add a Comment box, shown in Figure 26.5. Enter your comments and then click the Post Comment button; your comments will now be added to the end of that question's Comments section.

Figure 26.5. Adding your own comments to a question.

Asking a New Question

Asking a question is pretty much as simple as asking the question, and then specifying how much you'll pay for the answer.

To ask a new question, follow these steps:

1.	On the main Google Answers page, enter your query into the Enter Your Question box, and then click the Ask Question button.
2.	When the Ask a Question page appears, as shown in Figure 26.6, expand on your initial question, if you like. (The more details you provide, the more accurate the answers are likely to be.) Figure 26.6. Entering your question.
3.	Enter a subject for your query.
4.	Set the price that you'll pay for the answer. The minimum you can pay is $2.00; the maximum, $200. (Google Answers automatically adds a $0.50 listing fee to your bill.)
5.	Select the category and subcategory that best matches your question.
6.	Click the Continue to Payment Information button.
7.	If you're new to Google Answers, you're now prompted to create a Google Answers account. This is separate from your normal Google account; enter the appropriate information, and then click the Create My Google Answers Account button.
8.	You're now prompted for your credit card number and other payment information. Enter the necessary information and then click the Pay Listing Fee and Post Question button.

Note

Once a researcher starts work on your question, it is "locked" to ensure that only one researcher at a time is working on it. Questions are locked for four hours, unless the question price is $100 or more (in which case the question is locked for eight hours). During this period, no other researcher can answer the question, nor can other users make comments.

Getting the Answer

The question you asked is now posted to the Google Answers researcher community, and a Google Answers researcher takes on the task of obtaining answers. When an answer is found, the researcher posts it to Google Answers, and you're notified via email.

To view all of the questions you've asked, click the My Account link on the Google Answers main page. This displays your account page, as shown in Figure 26.7. Click a question to view any answers or comments.

Figure 26.7. Viewing all questions you've asked.

Commentary: Asking Better QuestionsFor Better Answers

Since you're paying for it, it makes sense to phrase your question in a way that generates the best possible response. Here are some tips you should keep in mind:

• Don't ask open-ended questionsthat is, questions that don't have a hard-and-fast answer. Researchers aren't philosophers.

• If you already know part of the answer, include it as part of the question. There's no point paying a researcher to tell you something you already know.

• If you think you know where some or all of an answer may be found, mention it in your question. It never hurts to give the researcher a little head start.

• If your question is overly complex, break it up into multiple questions. Researchers are less willing to answer questions that have a multiple-part answer; it's like you're asking them to answer multiple questions but only want to pay them once.

• Be very clear about the answer you want. For example, instead of asking for "recent" results, specify an exact time frame. Don't leave the interpretation up to chance.

Finally, don't underestimate the power of the dollar. It's possible to post a price for a question that's just too low to justify the time commitment required for an answer. It's not a hard and fast rule, but in general the more you pay, the better the answers you'll receive.