7

My understanding is bounties are used to attract more viewers for a possible difficult or an urgent question.

My question is: what if I already see somebody is answering my question and putting extra effort to provide very clean and working code, and I'm so happy with the answer?

In this case I really want to reward that person with more than just an up-vote.

Is it legitimate that I put a bounty on my question (which already has a solid answer) and then award it to that person?

Improve this question
1
  • I've done this a few times. bounty away!
    – Mansfield
    Jun 27, 2013 at 13:08

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
18

Yes, it is legitimate.

It is one way to reward a great answer beyond upvoting and accepts.

For further info check the FAQ entry How does the bounty system work?

Improve this answer
3
  • Thanks for the confirmation. I actually went through the "How does the bounty system work? but could not find that specific scenario that I mentioned.
    – S Nash
    Jun 27, 2013 at 12:26
  • 4
    @SNash From the FAQ entry: "Can I award a bounty to an old answer? Yes, you can award your bounty to any answer on the question. This makes it possible for users to reward particularly good answers with more rep than a standard upvote would provide.". And there's event a specific bounty reason for it called "Reward existing answer".
    – Rob W
    Jun 27, 2013 at 12:29
  • This is very good to know.
    – user226423
    Jun 27, 2013 at 12:30
2

Another way of looking at it is that if you are very interested in the responses that may come from the question, it could be seen that you are making an investment in a great and informative answer to that particular question.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    Agreed. Today someone clearly answered my question and his answer is a great time saver for me. I just wanted to make sure awarding bouties to an existing answer is legitimate.
    – S Nash
    Jun 27, 2013 at 12:29

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .