For Dailyhunt's short video feature, should we focus on maximizing user engagement time or increasing the number of unique daily active users?

Introduction

For Dailyhunt's short video feature, we're facing a critical trade-off between maximizing user engagement time and increasing the number of unique daily active users. This decision will significantly impact our product strategy and user experience. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining the product context, identifying key metrics, designing experiments, and providing a data-driven recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm thinking about Dailyhunt's position in the market. Could you share our current market share and primary competitors in the short video space?

Why it matters: Helps understand competitive pressures and growth opportunities Expected answer: Moderate market share, competing with TikTok and Instagram Reels Impact: Would influence whether we prioritize user acquisition or engagement

• Business Context: Based on our revenue model, I assume we're primarily ad-supported. Is this correct, and are there any other significant revenue streams?

Why it matters: Aligns our strategy with revenue generation Expected answer: Primarily ad-supported with some premium content Impact: Would affect whether we focus on engagement time (ad views) or user base (reach)

• User Impact: I'm curious about our user demographics. Can you provide insights into our primary user segments and their behaviors?

Why it matters: Ensures our strategy aligns with user needs and preferences Expected answer: Diverse user base with varying engagement patterns Impact: Would help tailor our approach to different user segments

• Technical: Considering scalability, what are our current infrastructure limitations for handling increased user load or engagement?

Why it matters: Ensures our strategy is technically feasible Expected answer: Some limitations but room for growth Impact: Would influence how aggressively we can pursue either option

• Timeline: Is there a specific timeframe we're working with for implementing and seeing results from this strategy?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize short-term vs. long-term gains Expected answer: Expecting initial results within 3-6 months Impact: Would affect the balance between quick wins and sustainable growth