Why has the number of new listings per user dropped by 30% in the past week for the Carousell mobile app?

Introduction

The sudden 30% drop in new listings per user for the Carousell mobile app over the past week is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This significant decline could have far-reaching implications for user engagement, platform growth, and overall business performance. To address this problem, I'll employ a systematic approach to identify, validate, and resolve the root cause while considering both short-term fixes and long-term strategic implications.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking this could be related to a recent app update. Has there been any significant changes or updates to the app in the past 1-2 weeks?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact user behavior. Expected answer: Yes, there was an update. Impact on approach: If yes, we'd focus on the changes made in that update.

• Considering user segments, I'm wondering if this decline is uniform across all user groups. Are we seeing this 30% drop consistently across different user segments (e.g., new vs. long-term users, high-volume vs. low-volume listers)?

Why it matters: Helps identify if the issue is global or specific to certain user groups. Expected answer: The decline varies across segments. Impact on approach: If varied, we'd prioritize investigating the most affected segments.

• Given the specificity of the 30% figure, I'm curious about our data collection. Has there been any change in how we measure or define "new listings per user" in the past month?

Why it matters: Ensures we're working with accurate and consistent data. Expected answer: No changes in measurement. Impact on approach: If changed, we'd need to reassess our metrics and data collection methods.

• Considering external factors, have there been any significant market events or competitor actions in the past week that could influence user behavior?

Why it matters: External factors could explain the sudden drop. Expected answer: No major external events. Impact on approach: If yes, we'd need to factor in these external influences in our analysis.