What caused the sudden 30% decrease in flight search volume on Ctrip's website yesterday afternoon?

Introduction

A sudden 30% decrease in flight search volume on Ctrip's website yesterday afternoon is a critical issue that demands immediate attention and thorough analysis. As we delve into this problem, we'll systematically examine potential causes, gather relevant data, and develop a strategic plan to address the root cause while considering both short-term fixes and long-term implications for Ctrip's flight search functionality.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking this could be a localized issue. Was the decrease uniform across all regions, or were specific markets more affected?

Why it matters: Identifying geographical patterns could point to regional technical issues or market-specific factors. Expected answer: The decrease was more pronounced in certain regions. Impact on approach: If regional, we'd focus on location-specific factors; if global, we'd look at broader system-wide issues.

• Considering the suddenness, I'm wondering about recent changes. Were any updates deployed to the flight search system in the 24-48 hours before the decrease?

Why it matters: Recent changes often correlate with sudden performance shifts. Expected answer: A minor update was pushed yesterday morning. Impact on approach: If yes, we'd prioritize investigating that update; if no, we'd look at external factors or gradual system degradation.

• Given the specific 30% figure, I'm curious about the metric's definition. Has there been any change in how search volume is measured or reported recently?

Why it matters: Ensures we're not chasing a data anomaly rather than a real issue. Expected answer: No changes to the metric definition or reporting system. Impact on approach: If changed, we'd focus on data integrity; if not, we'd proceed with system and user behavior analysis.

• Thinking about user behavior, I'm wondering if there were any significant events or promotions that ended yesterday. Did any major flight deals or marketing campaigns conclude around that time?

Why it matters: External factors can significantly impact search behavior. Expected answer: No major promotions ended, but a competitor launched a new campaign. Impact on approach: If promotions ended, we'd consider this a potential cause; if not, we'd look more at competitive landscape and system issues.