Why has Akamai's Edge DNS service seen a 15% drop in query volume over the past week?

Introduction

Akamai's Edge DNS service experiencing a 15% drop in query volume over the past week is a significant issue that requires immediate attention. This analysis will systematically identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both short-term and long-term implications for the service and overall product strategy.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Considering the sudden drop, I'm wondering about recent changes. Have there been any significant updates to the Edge DNS service or related systems in the past two weeks?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact query volume. Expected answer: Information about recent updates or confirmation of no changes. Impact on approach: If changes occurred, we'd focus on those; if not, we'd look at external factors.

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking about potential seasonal patterns. Is this 15% drop unusual compared to historical data for this time of year?

Why it matters: Helps distinguish between normal fluctuations and anomalies. Expected answer: Comparison to previous years' data for the same period. Impact on approach: If seasonal, we'd adjust our baseline; if not, we'd investigate other factors.

• Considering user segments, I'm curious about the distribution of the drop. Is the 15% decrease uniform across all customer types, or are certain segments more affected?

Why it matters: Identifies if the issue is global or specific to certain users. Expected answer: Breakdown of query volume changes by user segment. Impact on approach: Targeted investigation based on affected segments.

• Given the nature of DNS services, I'm wondering about global events. Have there been any significant internet infrastructure changes or outages reported in the past week?

Why it matters: External factors could explain the drop in query volume. Expected answer: Information on any major internet events or outages. Impact on approach: If external events occurred, we'd analyze their impact on our service.