Your director at Meta asks about Facebook Dating: should we show more matches with basic profiles or fewer matches with detailed compatibility?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining for Facebook Dating is whether to show more matches with basic profiles or fewer matches with detailed compatibility information. This decision impacts user engagement, match quality, and overall product success. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering user behavior, technical feasibility, business goals, and potential outcomes.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm assuming this is a strategic decision for Facebook Dating's growth phase. Is that correct, or are we addressing a specific issue?

Why it matters: Helps frame the urgency and scope of the decision Expected answer: Yes, it's a strategic growth decision Impact on approach: Would focus on long-term user acquisition and retention strategies

• Business Context: Given Facebook's ad-based revenue model, I'm thinking user engagement is a key priority. How does Dating fit into our overall monetization strategy?

Why it matters: Aligns solution with business objectives Expected answer: Dating is seen as a potential new revenue stream and engagement driver Impact on approach: Would emphasize solutions that drive both user growth and time spent on platform

• User Impact: I'm curious about our current user feedback. Are we seeing any patterns in user complaints or feature requests related to match quality or quantity?

Why it matters: Identifies pain points and user preferences Expected answer: Mixed feedback, with some users wanting more options and others seeking better matches Impact on approach: Would consider a personalized approach based on user preferences

• Technical: Considering our AI capabilities, I'm wondering about our ability to generate accurate compatibility scores at scale. What's our current confidence level in our matching algorithm?

Why it matters: Determines feasibility of detailed compatibility option Expected answer: Moderate confidence, with ongoing improvements Impact on approach: Would influence the balance between quantity and quality of matches

• Resource: Given the potential impact on user experience, I'm assuming this would involve our core Dating team. Do we have additional resources available if needed?

Why it matters: Determines scope of potential solutions Expected answer: Limited additional resources available Impact on approach: Would focus on solutions that can be implemented with current team capacity