Facebook launch Wiki style Q&A application

Facebook have taken a big step into a fiercly competitive world of Q&A. Facebook is starting to roll out a new Q&A feature to challenge a wide range of sites, from Aardvark and Ask.com to sites such as Yahoo Answers and Wiki Answers. It basically allows users to ask a question, and users from around the world will answer the question.

If you’d like to beta-test the app, you’ll have to submit and answer three questions of your own first. These introductory questions will also give the feature a good running start in terms of content.

On the app’s page, Facebook announces, “We think it will be as exciting as Facebook Photos and Facebook Events, but we need your help to make it great… You’ll be the first person outside of Facebook to use this product.”

Beta testers are requested to “ask great questions and provide great answers about your favorite topics.” Facebook is trying to ensure knowledgeable, thorough answers by requiring participants to cite references when applicable and banning plagiarism.

Very cool way to take Facebook even further as a social platform by tapping into their strength - a massive collection of people who interact daily.

(via @Mashable)