As PM for YouTube, would you implement 8K video support that increases bandwidth usage, or maintain current quality options with lower data consumption?

Introduction

The trade-off we're considering is whether to implement 8K video support on YouTube, which would increase bandwidth usage, or maintain current quality options with lower data consumption. This decision involves balancing user experience, technical capabilities, and resource allocation. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining product understanding, potential impacts, key metrics, and experimental approaches to make a data-driven recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: Based on the current video landscape, I'm thinking 8K might be an emerging trend. Could you share any market research or user feedback indicating demand for 8K content?

Why it matters: Helps gauge user interest and potential adoption rate Expected answer: Limited but growing demand, especially in niche markets Impact on approach: Would influence rollout strategy and target audience

• Business Context: Considering our monetization model, I'm curious about the potential impact on ad revenue. How might 8K support affect our advertising capabilities or partnerships?

Why it matters: Aligns decision with revenue goals and advertiser relationships Expected answer: Potential for premium ad placements or new ad formats Impact on approach: Could justify investment if significant revenue uplift expected

• User Impact: Thinking about our diverse user base, how might 8K adoption vary across different segments (e.g., creators, viewers, device types)?

Why it matters: Ensures we consider all user groups in our decision Expected answer: Higher adoption among tech-savvy users and content creators Impact on approach: Would inform targeted rollout and communication strategies

• Technical: Regarding our infrastructure, I'm wondering about our current CDN and server capacity. How much additional load can we handle without major upgrades?

Why it matters: Assesses feasibility and potential technical constraints Expected answer: Some capacity, but would require significant scaling Impact on approach: Would influence implementation timeline and resource allocation

• Resource: Considering our product roadmap, how would implementing 8K align with other priorities? What trade-offs in terms of team focus might we need to make?

Why it matters: Helps balance this decision against other strategic initiatives Expected answer: Would require shifting resources from other projects Impact on approach: Might lead to phased implementation or limited initial rollout