Introduction to Repeated Downvotes and Follows on Quora

Is it possible to be followed and downvoted repeatedly by the same person on Quora? The answer is yes, but it is not a universally confirmed phenomenon. However, there have been instances reported by users who suspect their answers have been targeted for downvoting by a single user. This article aims to explore the possibility of repeated downvoting and the restrictions on following other users on Quora, providing a comprehensive understanding of this issue within the platform.

Observable Instances of Repeated Downvotes

Users have reported instances where they notice their answers getting a disproportionate number of downvotes, suggesting potential targeted behavior. For instance, a Quora user with a strong stance on religious or philosophical issues may experience repeated downvotes on answers that challenge specific views. These downvotes do not always correlate with the quality of the answers, raising concerns about bias in the voting system. However, the community often steps in to address such issues, ensuring that legitimate downvotes are not overlooked.

Challenges and Responses to Anti-Theist Answers

One notable scenario involves users who have provided answers challenging anti-theist views. These answers often attract a mix of downvotes and upvotes, with downvotes sometimes appearing disproportionately. It is suggested that some users downvote these answers out of a personal dislike for the user and not necessarily because the content is of poor quality. Despite this, the community can still play a role in addressing such practices and ensuring that the platform remains fair.

Restrictions on Following and Voting

Users are generally free to follow and vote on any content or user they choose, subject to certain restrictions. Quora does not actively monitor or restrict the frequency or target of user voting behavior. However, if a specific user is repeatedly found to engage in targeted downvoting, Quora may consider implementing measures to prevent such behavior.

Following vs. Voting Behavior

There is no inherent link between following a user and downvoting their content. In fact, it does not make sense for someone who continuously downvotes an answer to follow the user, as they are likely to mute or avoid the user. This disconnect between follow and downvote behavior suggests that any suspicion of targeted downvoting is often more in the mind of the user rather than a real issue within the platform.

Complexities and Bugs in Quora's Voting System

The Quora community often faces challenges in distinguishing between actual bugs in the platform and design flaws that are intended but have unintended consequences. A concerning aspect is the inability to upvote or downvote comments made on answers by users who have blocked you, even if the comment itself was not made by a blocked user. This issue has been reported and discussed by users, yet no effective solution has been implemented.

Title Restrictions and User Experience

The peculiar behavior of upvoting or downvoting answers while being blocked, but not their comments, has raised significant questions about the usability and fairness of the Quora platform. Users who have flagged this issue with Quora have not received any resolution. This lack of action from the platform highlights the ongoing problems and frustrations experienced by Quora users.

Conclusion: Quora, while a powerful platform for knowledge sharing, faces challenges with targeted downvoting and voting behavior. The community plays a significant role in managing these issues, but the platform itself may need to implement measures to prevent targeted behavior and address the underlying design flaws. Users should keep a critical eye on any suspicious voting patterns and report them to the platform for consideration.