← instagram Interview Insights
I went straight to the user wellbeing angle because that's the obvious one, but I think I leaned on it too hard without grounding it in metrics.
Start by explaining Instagram's strategic rationale for hiding likes, focusing on user well-being, mental health, and shifting focus from popularity to content. Then, outline a structured evaluation plan using metrics like engagement, user sentiment, and retention, and discuss how you would design an A/B test to measure the impact.
Pro tip: Acknowledge the trade-offs: hiding likes may reduce social comparison but could also decrease engagement for influencers and advertisers. Show you understand the business implications and how to balance them.
Explain Instagram's stated reasons: reducing social pressure, improving mental health, and encouraging users to focus on content rather than likes. Mention the broader industry trend and regulatory pressure.
Identify key metrics to evaluate the change: user engagement (likes, comments, shares), time spent, retention, user sentiment (surveys), and creator/business impact (reach, engagement rates).
Propose an A/B test where some users see like counts and others don't. Ensure randomization, control for confounders, and measure both short-term and long-term effects.
Compare metrics between control and test groups. Consider qualitative feedback and segment analysis (e.g., by user type, region). Weigh benefits (well-being) against potential negatives (engagement drop).
Based on data, decide if the change is net positive. Suggest iterations or alternatives (e.g., optional hiding, different metrics) if needed.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.