The Instant Articles team is debating: should we add more monetization options or focus on improving current revenue streams?

Introduction

The Instant Articles team is facing a critical decision: should we expand our monetization options or focus on optimizing existing revenue streams? This trade-off involves balancing short-term gains against long-term sustainability, user experience, and platform growth. I'll analyze this problem by examining the current product landscape, identifying key metrics, designing experiments, and providing a data-driven recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm assuming Instant Articles is still a significant part of our content ecosystem. Has there been any recent shift in its strategic importance or user adoption?

Why it matters: Helps gauge the urgency and scale of the decision Expected answer: Instant Articles remains important but faces growing competition Impact on approach: Would influence the balance between short-term gains and long-term innovation

• Business Context: Based on our current revenue model, I'm thinking ad revenue is the primary monetization method. Are there other significant revenue streams for Instant Articles?

Why it matters: Identifies potential areas for optimization or expansion Expected answer: Ads are primary, with some subscription or micropayment experiments Impact on approach: Would guide the focus of new monetization options

• User Impact: Considering our diverse user base, I'm curious about the engagement patterns across different content types. Which content categories are driving the most user time spent?

Why it matters: Helps target monetization efforts to high-value areas Expected answer: News and entertainment lead, with growing interest in video Impact on approach: Would inform the types of monetization options to prioritize

• Technical Feasibility: Given our current infrastructure, I'm wondering about our capacity to implement new monetization features. Are there any significant technical constraints we should be aware of?

Why it matters: Assesses the feasibility and timeline of potential solutions Expected answer: Some legacy systems, but generally flexible architecture Impact on approach: Would influence the complexity and timeline of proposed solutions

• Resource Allocation: Thinking about our team structure, how are resources currently split between monetization and other product areas?

Why it matters: Determines the capacity for new initiatives vs. optimization Expected answer: 30% on monetization, 70% on other product improvements Impact on approach: Would guide the scope and timeline of proposed changes