As PM for Netflix Continue Watching, would you implement more detailed Netflix watch history with higher storage needs, or maintain basic history?

Introduction

The trade-off we're considering for Netflix's Continue Watching feature is whether to implement a more detailed watch history with higher storage needs or maintain the current basic history. This decision impacts user experience, technical infrastructure, and potentially Netflix's competitive edge. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining user needs, technical considerations, and business implications.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on recent user feedback, I'm thinking this might be driven by user demand for more granular viewing data. Could you share any insights on user requests or complaints related to watch history?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize user needs and potential feature impact Expected answer: Increasing user requests for detailed history Impact on approach: Would justify investment in expanded storage and UI changes

• Considering our content strategy, I'm wondering if this aligns with efforts to improve content recommendations. How critical is watch history data for our recommendation algorithms?

Why it matters: Connects feature to core Netflix value proposition Expected answer: Highly important for personalization Impact on approach: Would prioritize data granularity over storage concerns

• Looking at our technical infrastructure, I'm curious about our current storage capacity. What percentage of our storage is currently used by watch history data?

Why it matters: Assesses feasibility and cost implications Expected answer: Less than 5% of total storage Impact on approach: More detailed history might be feasible without significant infrastructure changes

• Thinking about our product roadmap, I'm wondering how this fits with other planned features. Are there any upcoming releases that would benefit from or conflict with more detailed watch history?

Why it matters: Ensures alignment with broader product strategy Expected answer: Planned UI refresh could incorporate detailed history Impact on approach: Would coordinate implementation with existing roadmap items

• Considering competitive landscape, I'm curious if our main competitors offer more detailed watch histories. How does our current offering compare to other streaming services?

Why it matters: Assesses potential competitive advantage Expected answer: Most competitors offer similar basic history Impact on approach: More detailed history could be a differentiator