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This old question asked for "the opinion about list questions". The answers are from three years ago.

In current (July 2012) Stack Exchange, are list questions considered off topic?

By list question I mean any question that can't have a single, best answer, like this question I asked about what tools are available to manage tasks.

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  • Most interesting questions by definition can't have a "single, best answer". Feb 24, 2014 at 1:22

1 Answer 1

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Questions that ask for a list are considered not constructive, as every answer is equally valid.

Generally, those questions are infinite, as a new answer could always be added; they also tend to be subjective. As such, those questions should not be asked, basing on what written in the FAQ.

You should only ask practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face. Chatty, open-ended questions diminish the usefulness of our site and push other questions off the front page.

To prevent your question from being flagged and possibly removed, avoid asking subjective questions where …

  • every answer is equally valid: "What's your favorite ______?"
  • your answer is provided along with the question, and you expect more answers: "I use ______ for ______, what do you use?"
  • there is no actual problem to be solved: "I'm curious if other people feel like I do."
  • we are being asked an open-ended, hypothetical question: "What if ______ happened?"
  • it is a rant disguised as a question: "______ sucks, am I right?"
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  • Thanks, voted to close.
    – ripper234
    Jul 13, 2012 at 4:59

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