Often a new social networking site isn't spotted for months after it's launched, even if it is Amazon that does the launching. There were one or two stories when the web retailer launched Askville.com in early December of last year; a couple more came out latterly. Why is this site worth looking at? Community sites keep your users returning again. That's the reason why so many sites have forums.
When community members can find help with their questions, they will continue coming back when they have issues. It's human nature to need to help others solve their issues if you can, which is another excuse that forums are so popular. Askville relies on that premise. Like Google Answers (prior to it being shut down) and Yahoo Answers, users raise questions of members of the community, and receive answers. Each question is restricted to 5 answers and in an engaging twist, the answers aren't shown till all 5 are given, so that one will not influence the rest (compare Yahoo Answers, which shows each answer as quickly as it's posted). After you have answered a query, and all 5 answers appear, you can vote on them. Answerers are awarded points based totally on the standard of their reply, judged by the person that asked and others who answered the question.
These points collect, and users can gain levels in the subjects on which they answer questions. As well as that reward for participating, you get something by the name of search coins based mostly on the quantity of questions you respond and the standard of your answers.
