How to Write Q&A on Genius Lyrics
[Breakdown of IQ Gain for Q&A]
[Role Abilities/Limitations for Q&A]
What Questions Should NOT Be Asked?
Refrain from asking any of these questions as they are not appropriate for the Q&A section and should be directed elsewhere. As an Editor+, the following Q&A should be Archived.
- Questions already answered in the page's Metadata -> Click here for examples
- Questions already answered in the page's Bio -> Click here for examples
- Questions directed to a user on the site -> Click here for examples
- Questions not relevant to the song or album -> Click here for examples
- Questions lacking a specific, definable answer -> Click here for examples
- Questions that are speculative -> Click here for examples
- Questions that are opinionated -> Click here for examples
- Questions that "answer themselves" -> Click here for examples
- Questions that are merely statements -> Click here for examples
How Long Should An Answer Be?
Responses should answer the question concisely and factually. However, some questions are better-suited to be an annotation, with the ability to be more thorough. If information is gathered from or goes into more depth in an annotation, link the annotation in the answer. This applies to both line-level annotations and artwork annotations.
What Media Should Be Included?
Embed images and videos sparingly, and only if necessary to supplement the answer. Excessive embedded media in the Q&A can unnecessarily stretch the page and limit its aesthetic appeal.
Note that it's important to NOT include embedded media in the Song/Album Bio. Any embedded media that would pertain to the entirety of the song should be added to the Q&A section.
Can I Answer My Own Questions?
Yes; in fact, it is encouraged! If a piece of information is found that would be interesting to the reader, but may not function best as an annotation or song bio, add it as a concise Q&A. Think: "Does this complement the song bio?" If so, make sure to add it to the Q&A section!
"What has ____ said about "____"?"
This is the default question which appears first on every song page, asking if any person involved with the song has said anything interesting about its creation or content. When answering the question, focus on the most relevant and interesting content not already apparent elsewhere on the page. It is not enough to link a Tweet where the artist merely reveals a date or other detail; the information should be interesting and meaningful! Oftentimes, the best information for this will come from an interview or Tweet. Answering this question automatically pins it to the top of the page. -> Click here for examples
How Do I Link A Question Or Answer?
On a song page, locate the gray box on the right side of the page and click the text labeled, "[#] Contributors." This will take you to the page's historic Contributions and Activity log. Under "Recent Activity," locate and click the drop-down that says, "You answered [user's/your] question on [Song Name]." After right-clicking the text of the question, you should be prompted with a "Copy Link Address" option, or another close variant.
This same method can be used by navigating to your profile, clicking on Activity, and locating the same question. Additionally, this same tactic can be used directly from your Feed and Me drop-down at the top right corner of any page.
What Is An Archived Question?
Archived Questions are questions that no longer appear on the page on which it originated. Archiving is similar to deletion, but all IQ is retained, and is instead hidden from the page. Questions without an answer can be archived, rendering it completely unanswerable. Additionally, an entire Q&A can be archived; however, Archived Q&A can still be edited. Only Editors+ have access to this functionality. Click here for more limitations.
What Q&A Should Be Archived?
- Anything in the "What Questions Should NOT Be Asked" section, above -> Click here for navigation
- Unintelligible writing -> Click here for examples
- Q&A that re-word a previous question or answer -> Click here for examples
- Q&A directed toward the artist -> Click here for examples
- Lyric Corrections -> Click here for examples
Archive vs. Clear Answer
[Clear Answer] should be used when the question is valid, but the answer is incorrect or unintelligible. Archive any question that violates the list above. Only Editors+ have access to either function. Click here for more limitations.
What Is A Pinned Question?
Pinned Questions are the Q&A that will appear on the site by default without having to press the [Show More] button. Pinned Questions appear as starred questions, and only Editors+ have access to this functionality. An answered "What have the artists said about this song?" question will automatically be pinned regardless of rank.
What Questions Should Be Pinned?
The most relevant Q&A to the page should be pinned. This may include but is not limited to: how the song was teased, the history of the artists featured, translations (albums only), and certifications. Avoid pinning time-sensitive Q&A.
Recall that the most relevant Q&A may have been previously addressed in the Song/Album Bio. If this is the case, the question should NOT be pinned, and should be archived instead.
Is There A Certain Order For Pinned Questions?
Yes, please adhere to the following order when pinning questions, and see below for how to reorder pinned questions. If another question appears to be more-relevant than the following order, please practice discretion to determine its relevancy:
- "Translations" (Albums only)
- "What have the artists said about the song/album?" -> Click here for examples
- Other Relevant Q&A -> Click here for examples
[How To Reorder Pinned Questions]
What Is Verified Q&A?
Verified Q&A is any question answered by the artist. In many cases, this Q&A comes directly from Genius' "Verified" series, but it is also possible for Verified Q&A to derive from credible interviews, such as Billboard or Apple Music. The artist must first be verified to verify a question.
Who Can Verify Q&A?
Any Verified Artist can verify Q&A by answering any question using their verified account. While Contributors, Editors, and Moderators do not have the capabilities of editing nor archiving, our Community Staff have the ability to both edit, archive, delete, and create Verified Q&A, even for artists who do not have a verified account.
Über uns
This guide explains everything you need to know about asking and answering questions in the Q&A section on Genius. Building off the basics of annotating, the guide enables the reader to understand and execute the intricacies of editing the Q&A section.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Feel free to utilize this thread to request for specific Q&A to be archived by our Editors and Moderators.
You can always create a thread on Genius Help, or message any member of the Moderation Team.
- 1.About Genius
- 4.Genius FAQ
- 13.How to Write Q&A on Genius
- 21.Users’ Languages
- 31.Tags - Non-Music
- 35.How to Annotate