How can Wattpad improve its story discovery algorithm to help readers find more relevant content?

Introduction

Improving Wattpad's story discovery algorithm to help readers find more relevant content is a critical challenge that directly impacts user engagement and retention. As we dive into this product improvement case, I'll focus on understanding the current user experience, identifying key pain points, and proposing innovative solutions to enhance content discovery.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (5 mins)

• Looking at Wattpad's position in the market, I'm thinking about the competitive landscape. Could you share insights on how our story discovery performance compares to other platforms like Kindle Unlimited or Goodreads?

Why it matters: Helps identify unique opportunities and benchmark our performance Expected answer: We're competitive but lag behind in personalization accuracy Impact on approach: Would focus on leveraging Wattpad's unique social features in the algorithm

• Considering user behavior, I'm curious about cross-platform usage. Do we have data on how users interact with Wattpad across different devices, and how this might affect their content discovery journey?

Why it matters: Informs whether we need device-specific optimizations Expected answer: 60% mobile, 30% tablet, 10% desktop, with different usage patterns Impact on approach: Would prioritize mobile-first improvements with cross-device continuity

• Thinking about Wattpad's product lifecycle, where are we in terms of user growth and retention? Are we focusing more on acquiring new users or retaining existing ones?

Why it matters: Determines if we optimize for new user onboarding or power user engagement Expected answer: Stable growth, now focusing on increasing retention and engagement Impact on approach: Would emphasize personalization and community features for existing users

• Regarding company alignment, what are the key metrics driving this improvement initiative? Are we looking at engagement time, user retention, or something else?

Why it matters: Ensures our solution aligns with broader company objectives Expected answer: Primary focus on increasing average reading time and user retention Impact on approach: Would prioritize solutions that encourage longer reading sessions and repeat visits