Yahoo! Answers

In last week’s Year in Review we showcased our 10 Most Popular Questions answered. But we’re not done!  In addition to our questions and answers, we now present our 10 Most Read Blogs of 2010. A few highlights below.

This past summer, our Answers team took to the streets of New York City and San Francisco to find answers to some of YOUR questions. Watch our video series, especially Episode 1 and 8, which made the top list.

Becoming a parent is no easy task. Layla, our hands-on-mom, loves getting advice from the community. Her topics tend to focus on what every parent asks him or herself.

Our second annual Yamster Halloween Costume was once again very popular. Costumes ranged from the Joker to Super Mario, and even Paris Hilton! Oh yes — be afraid, be furry afraid…

Last but not least: Don’t forget our great blogger, Ask Mike! Mike does all the dirty work researching the most random topics buried in the back of our minds (for instance, why are some fuel tanks on the passenger side while others are on the driver’s?)

Below, check out the rest of our most read and commented-on blogs:

1. Choose a “Best of Answers” earn 100 pts

2. Answers Halloween Costume Contest

3. Yahoo! Answers hits the streets: Episode 8

4. Ask Mike: Nicknames

5. Ask Mike: The mysterious gas tank

6. Yahoo! Answers hits the streets: Episode 1

7. Ask Mike: Addicted to lip balm

8. Nanny or day care? That is the question

9. Ask Mike: Blondes have more fun

10. Changes to the Answers Homepage

These have been some great reads. Whether it’s another Answers on the Street question or Ask Mike topic, anything you’d like to see covered in 2011? We’d love to hear your suggestions!

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For a strictly limited period, you can earn an extra 2 points for every question you answer.

‘Tis the time of year for saying “thank you”, giving gifts and rewarding hard work. Our way of saying “thank you” to you, the Yahoo! Answers community – for your hard work this year – comes in the form of this special bonus. Yes, it’s DOUBLE POINTS for every question you answer– four instead of two.

Why are we doing this?

We know you enjoy earning points on Yahoo! Answers, especially to move up through the levels. But we also know it can feel like slow progress at times, like a marathon… So, for a short while, we’re giving you the chance to sprint! With double points up for grabs, it’s a golden opportunity for you to make some big gains and go for the next level.

Has it started already? When does it end?

It’s live now from December 6^th and will last for a limited period of time. Want to know when it will end?  Well, we’re going to keep that a secret for now…

However, if you follow us on Twitter we’ll give regular updates of how long is left…

We’ll also notify you here, on the blog, as soon as it closes. In the meantime, make the most of it!

How do I get started?

It couldn’t be easier to get involved. Just sign-in (or sign-up if you’ve not visited before) and start answering questions. The browse categories page is a great place to start.

Tell us what you think about our Double Point bonus

We think offering double points is something you will appreciate… we hope it’s not like one of those terrible Christmas presents you just want to put back under the tree. But do let us know what you really think – we won’t be offended, promise.

Also, do let us know what you think by leaving a comment.

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Since you can share your Answers content with your Facebook friends, it was logical to continue our collaboration with the social network. You can now become a fan of our official Facebook fan page!

To join our friends on Facebook, you just need to process the following steps:
1. Sign in or up on Facebook
2. Go on our Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/yahooanswers
3. Once you’re on the official fan page, just click on the button ‘Like’ available at the top to become one of our fans
4. You’re now one of our Facebook friends

On this page, we’re going to show you the last blog updates; open questions from the team, partners and even some from the community. But be attentive because we’ll keep some original surprises for you…

Twitter too

If you’re not totally addicted to Facebook (it happens), you can still follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/YahooAnswers

Once you have started joining us on Facebook and Twitter, leave your comments here and tell us what you think!

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Welcome to Answers on the Streets: Episode 9!

Now here’s a question that can stump a lot of people. Geography guru? Well watch below and see how many people have a difficult time answering this one question.

Think you have a better answer? We definitely know our community has some great ideas. You’ve heard their answers, now we want to hear from you!

Give us a shout and tell us what you think. Just click the question below to submit your response.

Question: How far east can you go before you’re heading west?

Episode 8 Winner

Congrats to Mike for Episode 8’s Best Answer. Here’s his answer:

First step: assume it was a mistake. “Excuse me, there’s a line here.” Nice and polite and works around 80% of the time. Most time a cut in is a simple error where the person has made a mistake. And if it’s not a mistake, it gives the offender a way out before I destroy their dignity.
Second step, escalate. Louder voice: “I think you haven’t have heard me, so I’ll speak up. There’s a line here and we’ve all been waiting.”
Third step, humiliation. “Oh, so you think you’re more important than us! Your time is more valuable than the rest of us! If you’re so important, why are you standing in line like the rest of us, Mr El Presidente? Why don’t you have your own special line if you’re that important? Maybe you would like me to walk in front of you with a bell: Make way! Make way! Get out of the way, peasants! An important person is coming through!”

Normally halfway through this rant, he will leave or the rest of the line will start joining in or laughing at him. Either way, good result.

Of course, it helps to be big, tall and just a little bit crazy looking.

Get Featured

You can be the next winner and get 200 EXTRA POINTS and get recognized on our Answers Blog. Heck, if you have a webcam and we like your video, we may even feature a video of you on our Answers Blog! We’re not the only ones that can make videos. Simply upload your video here. In submitting your video keep in mind your obligations under the Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. Also, you must be at least 18 years old to submit a video.

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Once again, it’s time for our annual Answers Halloween Costume Contest. Last year, we had awesome winners and we can’t wait to see what you come up with this year!

Download the Yamster avatar and dress him up for Halloween!

Picnik which is built directly into Yahoo’s own Flickr, offers a plethora of accessories that you can use to deck out Yamster. You can also use something like Microsoft Paint, Photoshop, SumoPaint, or any other paint program on the market to edit or enhance an image.

Once you’re through dressing up your Yamster, save the image (right click and “save as”) and upload it to your Flickr account. Then, add the image to the Answers Halloween pool—found here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/yahooanswershalloween2010/.

In order to see all the fun dressed-up Yamsters, please make sure to join the Answers Halloween 2010 group.

Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. PST on Monday, November 1st. Winner(s) will be posted on the Yahoo! Answers Blog and will receive 200 bonus points on Yahoo! Answers.

Rules:

• Yamsters must be submitted to Flickr by 5 p.m. PST on November 1st

• All images must be in compliance with Yahoo’s TOS, Yahoo! Answers Community Guidelines, Flickr’s Community Guidelines, and must not contain mature or adult content

• Submitted images may only be that of the Yamster—no actual photographs will be accepted or considered

• No real value is given to this prize: winner(s) will receive 200 bonus points on Yahoo! Answers

• Join the Answers Halloween 2010 group in order to see everyone’s entries

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