I am a constant Googler, and I often prefer/select Stack Overflow results when given the opportunity.
I use Stack Overflow to find information as opposed to asking questions of the community, and I use it frequently. I think it is fair to say that this site has helped me at least a couple/few hundred times. I started out by learning VB so at first I hated the preponderance of C on Stack Overflow -until I learned enough that the C makes just as much sense as the VB, and I like seeing code in C because it makes me think.
It is somewhat frustrating that I am not allowed to express my gratitude by up-voting posts which I find helpful because I am not a contributor.
I assume there is a reason I am not allowed to provide feedback which may involve spammers and rude behaviors, and I respect that. You may see it as participation, but I see it as expressing gratitude. I consider this result of your policy as your loss, and also a loss to the awesome folks who have helped me so much by posting technical information.
You might recommend that I just become an active contributor, but I am fairly new to programming, and I am not confident enough in my knowledge to share it with other people.
I recommend that you loosen your policy and allow me to express my gratitude.
I still think this site is awesome, and I am very grateful to those who run it and contribute to it.