See: Why does the Related question list not always show up?
The answer there states that it is an expensive query to run, so it's not done immediately. I remember reading somewhere else that due to increased importance, it is run often while asking questions.
However, right after asking, a question is likely to get attention, and be closed as a duplicate. The problem is, the related list isn't showing, so someone has to go search for a duplicate. When they come back, someone has already posted an answer, leading to noise on the site.
My suggestion: Either:
- Cache the final "related questions" list from the ask dialog to use for the first 15 minutes
- Run the query right away.
EDIT (12/11/14): Was this changed? I just saw a related list on a question 1 minute old.
