Amazon has tried it’s own version of “Yahoo Answers” called Askville. Askville.com was earlier launched in December 2006, so this is a re-launch of Askville in a way.
That’s a brave move, I’d say after Google Answers and practically everyone else who duplicated the concept of Yahoo Answers collapsed.
Amazon describes Askville as a “place where you can share and discuss knowledge with other people by asking and answering questions on any topicâ€?. We have heard that one before, so what’s new?
Amazon is rewarding Askville.com users for the use of widgets in answering. So you can add Amazon products, google maps, videos from YouTube, Google, Bolt, etc. Now this reward is in the form of experience points, and virtual currency called “Quest Coins” will be redeemed through another Amazon affiliate site, Questville.com to be launched later this year.
You guessed it right, “Experience Pointsâ€? and “Quest Coinsâ€? will not be easily gained! However, Amazon has mentioned that Askville.com users who answer questions could receive Quest Gold, which will be redeemable for USD50 or USD100 Amazon.com Gift cards for a limited time.
Internet powerhouses and Web 2.0 players are constantly re-inventing the wheel, and in the process, users get split across the board. Those who seek answers seek a site that features “Best Answers” and those who answer seek “Best Returns”..I guess a combination that separates these two out might be a better answer.
Yes, it does seem to come full circle that large merchants like Amazon.com will mimic other online successes, like Yahoo Answers, and spin their own brand on it. With that large Amazon brand name, those who are not aware of Yahoo’s established service, will be captivated by Askeville.