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Google seemed to think otherwise.  In April 2002, they unveiled Google Answers, a fee-based question and answer clearinghouse.  An earlier attempt by Google to run an answer farm using only paid staffers failed after being inundated with questions during the first day or two.  That led to the "crowdsourced" version, where a panel of about 500 registered "researchers" would tackle questions in exchange for payments of $4 to $50, which was promptly expanded to a range anchored at $2 and at $200.  Those posting a query were charged a non-refundable fee of 50 cents, and Google pocketed 25% of the final payment to successful respondents.
 
Google seemed to think otherwise.  In April 2002, they unveiled Google Answers, a fee-based question and answer clearinghouse.  An earlier attempt by Google to run an answer farm using only paid staffers failed after being inundated with questions during the first day or two.  That led to the "crowdsourced" version, where a panel of about 500 registered "researchers" would tackle questions in exchange for payments of $4 to $50, which was promptly expanded to a range anchored at $2 and at $200.  Those posting a query were charged a non-refundable fee of 50 cents, and Google pocketed 25% of the final payment to successful respondents.
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After passing a [https://answers.google.com/answers/researchertraining.html relatively simple test] of search and writing skills, one could join another [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&num=100&q=factsoncall-ga+site%3Aanswers.google.com&btnG=Search">] 500 designated researchers. As an observer, a bounty-posting questioner, and an occasional answerer, my memory of the program is as follows:
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After passing a [https://answers.google.com/answers/researchertraining.html relatively simple test] of search and writing skills, one could join another [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&num=100&q=factsoncall-ga+site%3Aanswers.google.com&btnG=Search" 500 designated researchers]. As an observer, a bounty-posting questioner, and an occasional answerer, my memory of the program is as follows:
    
(1) Most of the questions that could be researched and answered within 10 minutes were:
 
(1) Most of the questions that could be researched and answered within 10 minutes were:
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