How can I avoid getting a violation on YA?

Without seeing your answer, it is difficult to determine what possible violation(s), if any, your answer

contained. Here are some words of advice:

Be sure to avoid using any "text language" or "undecipherable text".

Be sure that your answer directly answers/addresses the actual question being posed.

Be sure that you don't "call out a member by name". It's one thing to address the asker of the question by name once, when answering the question. However, if your answer is otherwise "completely acceptable", yet, you very politely mention the user name (Screen name/member name of another user)--even when mentioning their other answer--even to that same question--or even if giving praise to that user's answer, it a "chat" violation.

(Instead, write, "as another answerer posted...", or "as someone aptly mentioned..."; "as shown in the other answers..." .

Be sure to "give clear answers". Sometimes answers are ambiguous, vague, contradictory, confusing, or incoherent. Even if though the author of the answer might not intend to be "incoherent", the author of the answer might not proofread the text, and they might type "run-on" sentences or make such "vague" references of pronoun, for instance---or even use incorrect pronouns. Sometimes, unfortunately, this leads to such an unclear, confusing, or incoherent answer that the answer "becomes a violation"---or "gets reported as such"---which I shall explain in the next paragraph.

The "unfortunate deal", as mentioned in the last sentence, is that sometimes such violations get reported incorrectly. For instance, you mentioned your answers was a "harmless math answer". Some people might feel that it is acceptable to hit the "report abuse" button based SOLELY on the [perceived or otherwise] notion that the answer is "wrong" in the sense that the answer is an "INCORRECT SOLUTION" to the "math problem itself"--being asked in the question.

The proper response would be to "thumbs down" or "disagree"---rather than to report----unless the answer was otherwise in violation.

Other issues include interpretations of what violations the "Community Guidelines". There can be some gray areas. That is why people are allowed to appeal. Note that if an appeal is denied, there are further appeals that can be done. You may asked, "How, in fact, did my answer to this question, posted in this category violate ANY of the Y!A Community Guidelines and/or Yahoo! ToS agreement?" Keep asking as you further appeal--if you believe there was not violation, and mention that you have already lost 10 points for "Each of your denials and feel you should re-gain all of those 10 points---and have ALL of those appeals scrutinized very carefully by humans.

You can give a harmless answer which is a violation. "Google it" is considered harmless by most, but it is a clear violation of the rules. If that old, there is not much you can do since it was probably found by accident or as part of voting on old questions.

If you want to know the reason for the violation, post "Why was this question (answer) a violation?" and add the original e-mail you got so the users can see the exact context. The experienced users here will explain it to you. There is no statute of limitations on breaking the YA rules.

The best way is to keep your profile private. Any user can report a question/answer but that doesn't mean it is a violation. If you feel your answer was not a violation then I would suggest you file an appeal. When you received the violation notice it should have stated what you wrote.

You've picked up a stalker-troll. Or some troll just reported your answer for no reason, probably using several different accounts. It happens in here all the time.

One time I got over 20 violations in one day. Just set your activity to private, and the troll(s) will go find someone else to latch on to. It worked for me.

You might start by hiding your questions and answers to help avoid trolls.Click your avatar then click edit my preferences.

Next click Privacy & Communications

Check your preferences

. Personally I allow fans but don't add them to mine.if someone adds you as a contact they are your fan but can't see your questions or answers unless you add them back if you are set to contacts only.

Submit when done.

You probably did NOT do ANYTHING wrong. People will report anything JUST TO GET YOU TO REACT. You are FEEDING THE TROLLS who reported your answer BY ASKING this question. DON'T FEED THE TROLLS egos by responding . Just APPEAL the violation by clicking the blue hyperlink toward the bottom of the violation notice email. There is NO deadline for (falsely)reporting abuse on YA.

"...

How to appeal a violation notice

ID: SLN4211

Refers to: Answers

Resolution

You may only appeal a violation notice by following the link provided within the notice. Notices may only be appealed once.

Additional Information

See the following resources for policy and guideline information.

•Terms of Service

•Yahoo! Answers Community Guidelines

•Community Moderation

Last updated: September 15, 201..."

http://help.yahoo.com/kb/index?page=content&id=SLN...

"...The serial bully displays behaviour congruent with many of the diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Characterised by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity and self-importance, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, people with narcissistic personality disorder overestimate their abilities and inflate their accomplishments, often appearing boastful and pretentious, whilst correspondingly underestimating and devaluing the achievements and accomplishments of others.

Often the narcissist will fraudulently claim to have qualifications or experience or affiliations or associations which they don't have or aren't entitled to. Belief in superiority, inflating their self-esteem to match that of senior or important people with whom they associate or identify, insisting on having the "top" professionals or being affiliated with the "best" institutions, but criticising the same people who disappoint them are also common features of narcissistic personality disorder.

Narcissists react angrily to criticism and when rejected, the narcissist will often denounce the profession which has rejected them (usually for lack of competence or misdeed) but simultaneously and paradoxically represent themselves as belonging to the profession they are vilifying.

Fragile self-esteem, a need for constant attention and admiration, fishing for compliments (often with great charm), an expectation of superior entitlement, expecting others to defer to them, and a lack of sensitivity especially when others do not react in the expected manner, are also hallmarks of the disorder. Greed, expecting to receive before and above the needs of others, overworking those around them, and forming romantic (sic) or sexual relationships for the purpose of advancing their purpose or career, abusing special privileges and squandering extra resources also feature.

People with narcissistic personality disorder also have difficulty recognizing the needs and feelings of others, and are dismissive, contemptuous and impatient when others share or discuss their concerns or problems. They are also oblivious to the hurtfulness of their behaviour or remarks, show an emotional coldness and a lack of reciprocal interest, exhibit envy (especially when others are accorded recognition), have an arrogant, disdainful and patronizing attitude, and are quick to blame and criticise others when their needs and expectations are not met. ..."

http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/npd.htm