As PM for Instagram Live, would you add more viewer interaction tools or focus on improving stream stability?

Introduction

As the PM for Instagram Live, we're facing a critical trade-off between adding more viewer interaction tools or focusing on improving stream stability. This decision will significantly impact user engagement, creator satisfaction, and our platform's overall performance. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining key metrics, stakeholder impacts, and potential outcomes to provide a strategic recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: Based on recent user feedback, I'm thinking stream stability might be a pressing issue. Could you share any data on current stability metrics and user complaints?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize between features and infrastructure Expected answer: Stability issues affecting 15-20% of streams Impact on approach: Would lean towards stability improvements if widespread

• Business Context: Considering our monetization strategy, I assume Live is crucial for creator retention and ad revenue. How does Live contribute to our overall business goals?

Why it matters: Aligns solution with revenue and growth targets Expected answer: Live drives 30% of creator engagement and 20% of ad impressions Impact on approach: Would prioritize features that boost creator and viewer retention

• User Impact: Looking at our user segments, I'm curious about the adoption rate of existing interaction tools. What percentage of viewers actively use current interaction features?

Why it matters: Determines potential impact of new interaction tools Expected answer: 40-50% of viewers use at least one interaction feature per session Impact on approach: High usage would support adding more interaction tools

• Technical: Given the complexity of live streaming, I'm wondering about our current technical limitations. What are the main bottlenecks in our streaming infrastructure?

Why it matters: Assesses feasibility of stability improvements Expected answer: CDN capacity and last-mile delivery are primary constraints Impact on approach: Would influence the type and scope of stability improvements

• Resource: Considering our Q4 roadmap, I'm curious about our team's bandwidth. How much engineering capacity do we have for this project in the next quarter?

Why it matters: Determines scope and timeline of potential solutions Expected answer: 2-3 engineering sprints available for this initiative Impact on approach: Would help prioritize between quick wins and long-term solutions