Why has 99 Group's PropertyGuru search function seen a 15% drop in user engagement over the past month?

Introduction

PropertyGuru's search function, a critical component of 99 Group's real estate platform, has experienced a concerning 15% drop in user engagement over the past month. This decline in such a core feature warrants immediate attention and a thorough investigation. I'll approach this issue systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating our findings, and developing both short-term fixes and long-term strategies to address the problem.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Given the sudden drop, I'm wondering about recent changes. Have there been any significant updates to the search algorithm or UI in the last 1-2 months?

Why it matters: Recent changes often correlate with performance shifts. Expected answer: Yes, there was a minor UI update. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on UI-related hypotheses.

• Considering user segments, has the engagement drop been uniform across all user types, or are certain groups more affected?

Why it matters: Helps narrow down potential causes and target solutions. Expected answer: The drop is more pronounced among mobile users. Impact on approach: We'd prioritize mobile-specific issues in our analysis.

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

Why it matters: Distinguishes between cyclical trends and actual problems. Expected answer: This drop is atypical for the season. Impact on approach: We'd focus on recent changes rather than seasonal factors.

• Regarding data integrity, has there been any change in how engagement is measured or tracked in the last month?

Why it matters: Ensures we're not chasing a data anomaly. Expected answer: No changes in measurement methods. Impact on approach: We'd proceed with confidence in the data's accuracy.