How to Get the Question Box on Tumblr

By Ashley Poland

One of many social features available to Tumblr users is the ability to ask each other questions. The box used for sending these messages is referred to as the "ask box." To allow users to access the ask box for your Tumblr blog, you need to first enable it in your blog's settings. To ask another user a question, Tumblr offers the option to do so directly from the user icon on the dashboard. This allows you to ask questions without losing your place on the dashboard.

To Receive Questions

Click the gear icon at the top the Tumblr dashboard to open your Tumblr settings. Select the blog you want to change settings for from the sidebar, if you're modifying a secondary blog; Tumblr automatically opens the settings for your primary blog.

Click the button next to "Let people ask questions" to enable the ask box for your blog. The link to your blog's ask box is "username.tumblr.com/ask".

Enter a title for the ask box page; this appears above the box when people view the page. To be able to receive anonymous questions, toggle the switch next to "Allow anonymous questions." Tumblr autosaves all settings; once you turn on questions, users can begin asking.

View questions sent to you by clicking the mail icon on the dashboard. Tumblr alerts you to new messages with an icon next to it when new questions arrive.

To Ask Questions

Hover over the icon of the user you want to send a question to; on the dashboard, this brings up a small pop-up showing that user's details. Click the small person icon beside "Unfollow," and then select "Ask a question."

Enter your question in the ask box that pops up over the dashboard. If the option is available, you may select "Ask anonymously."

Click "Ask" when you are ready to send the question, or "Close" if you change your mind.

Tips

View any user's ask box at "username.tumblr.com/ask". If a user does not allow questions, a "Page Not Found" error appears.

Warnings

Allowing users to submit questions anonymously opens the door for a lot of fun and interesting questions, but it can also lead to users sending hurtful messages. If you begin to receive messages that make you uncomfortable, disable anonymous questions.

×