Why would my question be removed if it was not in any way offensive or rude?

Sigh...the never ending mysteries of YA Community Guidelines. And just try and get them to tell you what your violation was, now that's infuriating. You just get the same generic message over and over again, and they don't address your questions.

You can try to appeal it, but I've had little success with this.

I have to agree with another answer. A question doesn't have to be offensive or rude in any way to be a violation. There are many other types of violations. So it really is crucial that you have a better understanding of the rules so these sorts of violations don't occur. Jokes & Riddles is one of those very risky categories because the same rules apply there as in all categories. For this reason, it would make more sense not to have categories like Jokes & Riddles, or even Polls & Surveys because many of the questions in those categories could be at risk of getting reported, and if reported by multiple users... it will be removed. Since this is an information sharing site, unless you're telling a riddle or a joke and asking for advise on how to tell it better, or somehow asking for useful information, that sort of riddle wouldn't be considered information sharing.

All it takes is 2 "trusted" members to report you and the bots remove it appeals are often a waste of time and points. Some suggestions, If you haven't done so, edit you info so your questions and answers are hidden that way it makes it harder for trolls who enjoy reporting violations or presumed violations to stalk you. Also, avoid pages with controversial subjects such as religion, homosexuality, racism, pornography, any hatred, downloading movies or music etc. Avoid anything that may be remotely considered illegal Don't give smart, flip or sarcastic answers nor use any profanity and if you believe you are being stalked go to other categories. You might also consider changing your avatar and i.d.

Yahoo will not give any specifics when a question or answer is deleted.

I ought to believe yet yet another answer. a question would not could be offensive or rude in any thank you to be a violation. there are countless distinctive sorts of violations. So that's intense which you have a greater perfect tips of the guidelines so those sorts of violations do no longer take place. Jokes & Riddles is a sort of very volatile categories as a results of certainty an identical rules be unsleeping there as in all categories. as a result, it could make greater journey to no longer have categories like Jokes & Riddles, or maybe Polls & Surveys as a results of certainty various the questions in those categories could be in threat of having pronounced, and if pronounced via way of distinctive consumers... it is going to in all probability be bumped off. on the grounds that that's an advice sharing internet internet site, till you're telling a riddle or a comedian tale and soliciting for advise on the thank you to tell it greater perfect, or in a roundabout way soliciting for sensible advice, that variety of riddle does no longer be considered advice sharing.

I've said many times that I surely believe there's absolutely no one that checks these reports.... the software is simply set up to automatically delete anything that's reported...and some ppl have nothing better to do than to systematically hit the report button, just because they feel powerful in doing it.

Yahoo is definitely not paying ppl to sit there and read these reported questions and answers..... no way.

It was probably some silly person reporting you irresponsibly, unfortunately Yahoo has a policy where a person who does not report things often is given full credibility when they hit the "report" button, whereas someone who reports questions frequently is treated with less a credibility.

I had a poem about butterflies removed from the poetry section.

Because Yahoo! Answer Moderators and their removing system fails extensively.

I believe when a user tried to get a question removed no one looks at it. Yahoo! just removes the question and asks you if you feel like it shouldn't be removed.

People report things just out of mean-spiritedness

You can appeal the decision, once Yahoo emails you.

I suggest that you do.

Reporting someone for no good reason also is against the rules.

It also could have been seen as spam, or a glitch on their part. From what you are saying, I dont see a good reason why it would be removed either.

Offensive and/or rude questions or answers break ONE rule. But there are many, MANY rules and you do need to learn them, understand them, and follow them to prevent this from happening. And there is no one 'person' who removed it. For it to be removed, it must have been reported by multiple people.

Community Guidelines explain what a violation is – chatting is the most reported violation. Here are links to learn about violations.

http://answers.yahoo.com/info/community_guidelines

http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/answers/abuse/

Appeal violations/suspensions using link in email, or this form:

http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/answers/first_app...