You are the PM of notifications. How would you determine the trade offs between showing your friend’s fundraiser or the event they are going to / created?

Introduction

Determining the trade-offs between showing a friend's fundraiser or the event they're going to/created is a critical decision for the notifications product. This scenario involves balancing user engagement, social connections, and potential revenue streams. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining user behavior, business impact, and technical considerations to develop a data-driven recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• What are the current notification engagement rates for fundraisers vs. events?

• Why: Understanding baseline performance helps assess potential impact.
• Hypothetical answer: Fundraiser notifications have a 5% click-through rate, while event notifications have a 12% click-through rate.
• Impact: Higher event engagement might suggest prioritizing event notifications.

• How do these notifications align with our revenue model?

• Why: Ensures decision aligns with business goals.
• Hypothetical answer: Events generate revenue through ticket sales and sponsorships, while fundraisers rely on donations with a small platform fee.
• Impact: May influence prioritization based on revenue potential.

• What user segments are most active in creating and engaging with fundraisers vs. events?

• Why: Identifies key user groups affected by this decision.
• Hypothetical answer: Younger users (18-34) are more active in events, while fundraisers see broader age range participation.
• Impact: Could inform targeted notification strategies.

• Are there any technical limitations in personalizing notification content?

• Why: Determines feasibility of sophisticated solutions.
• Hypothetical answer: Current system allows for basic user preference settings but lacks real-time personalization capabilities.
• Impact: May limit immediate implementation of complex notification algorithms.

• What's the timeline for implementing changes to the notification system?

• Why: Helps prioritize short-term vs. long-term solutions.
• Hypothetical answer: Major system updates are planned quarterly, with the next window in 2 months.
• Impact: Influences whether to focus on quick wins or more comprehensive changes.