Facebook recently launched a new feed algorithm. As a result, the average session duration dropped by 20%. What would you do?

Introduction

The recent launch of Facebook's new feed algorithm has resulted in a significant 20% drop in average session duration. This unexpected outcome requires a thorough investigation to identify the root cause and develop effective solutions. I'll approach this issue systematically, focusing on data-driven analysis and strategic decision-making.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• What specific changes were made to the feed algorithm?

• How long has the 20% drop been observed?

• Are there any user segments less affected by this change?

• Have there been any concurrent changes to the platform or external factors?

• Can we confirm the accuracy of our session duration measurement?

• What was the goal of the algorithm change, and how does it align with current metrics?

Understanding the algorithm changes helps pinpoint potential issues. If the drop has been consistent since launch, it suggests a direct correlation. Identifying less affected segments could reveal key insights. Concurrent changes might confound our analysis. Confirming measurement accuracy ensures we're addressing a real issue. Knowing the change's goal helps evaluate if we're measuring the right metrics.

Hypothetical answers: The algorithm prioritizes content from close connections, has been observed for two weeks, older users seem less affected, no major concurrent changes, measurement accuracy confirmed, and the goal was to increase meaningful interactions.

These answers would guide our investigation towards user behavior changes and potential misalignment between the algorithm's goals and our session duration metric.