With mixed emotions, I announce that we are discontinuing SEOmoz private questions for PRO members in March of this year. SEOmoz has grown and changed considerably from when we started offering private questions in the summer of 2007 (see our announcement at http://www.seomoz.org/blog/new-feature-seo-qa). Unfortunately, private Q&A is no longer scalable for us, and our customers have noticed longer wait times for answers to their questions.
Why are we Discontinuing Private Q&A?
-
It's no longer scalable.
When we started private Q&A, there were fewer than 1,600 paying subscribers eligible to ask a private Q&A question. At the close of 2012, that number has increased to over 20,000 PRO members, and we have had an average of 210 questions a month in private Q&A during 2012. We hire experts to answer these questions, and many of them already have full-time jobs in the field. It is difficult to find the right people to answer so many questions in a timely manner.
-
SEOmoz isn't a consulting business.
We started offering private questions when we were still providing SEO consulting. We have not been in in the consulting business for three years, so it’s no longer a part of our core business. It is a piece that no longer makes sense for us. Instead, we want to focus our efforts on making the best SEO and social monitoring software possible, and boost our public Q&A as a resource for all. If you are looking for consulting, we have a great list of recommended companies at http://www.seomoz.org/article/recommended.
-
Our response time is slow.
Our response times in private Q&A aren't always stellar. You'll get answers more quickly from the community in public Q&A, and the SEOmoz Staff and Associates will be spending more time answering questions and endorsing responses in Public Q&A. You’ll have an opportunity to earn even more MozPoints as we will be looking for great answers to endorse.
What is the Timeframe?
You'll still be able to ask private questions through March 15th, meaning all PRO members will have at least two more chances (February and March) to ask a private question. You'll also be able to see all of your old questions in your account through at least the end of March. We encourage you to save a copy of these questions for your future reference.
What about Public Q&A?
Public Q&A is only going to get better! You'll see more of our Staff and Associates in Public Q&A. They'll be answering questions, endorsing responses, and having a more visible role. We're also planning some enhancements for Public Q&A that will be rolled out in stages over the next few months, making it easier for you to know when you've been endorsed, follow questions, see your activity, and more.
Questions?
Please let us know any questions you have regarding this shutdown.
Thank you,
Keri Morgret
On-site Community Manager