LinkedIn·Product Manager·Onsite - Product Sense / Strategy·Senior

Senior

Apr 2026

Summary

LinkedIn PM interview question about whether to spin out the messaging feature into a standalone app. No details shared about how it went, just the question itself.

Questions Asked (1)

Your VP of Product wants to pull LinkedIn's messaging feature out of the main app and launch it as a completely separate standalone messenger. How do you respond?

Product StrategyStakeholder ManagementProduct Sense & Ideation

Author's notes

This one requires you to push back on a VP without just saying no, which is the tricky part.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Acknowledge the VP's strategic intent, then propose a structured evaluation that weighs user value, business impact, and technical feasibility. Use data and frameworks to show why unbundling messaging may or may not be right, and suggest a test-and-learn approach before full commitment.

Pro tip: Frame your response as a collaborative exploration, not a rejection—ask clarifying questions about the VP's goals and propose metrics to validate the hypothesis. This shows you can influence without authority and drive data-informed decisions.

1. Clarify the strategic rationale

Ask the VP what problem they're solving (e.g., increasing engagement, competing with standalone messengers, or monetization). Understand the underlying goals and success metrics.

2. Assess user needs and behavior

Evaluate how LinkedIn users currently use messaging: is it primarily for networking, job hunting, or casual chat? Determine if a standalone app would add value or fragment the experience.

3. Analyze business and competitive impact

Consider revenue implications (e.g., ads, premium features), competitive landscape (WhatsApp, Slack), and opportunity cost. Assess if unbundling aligns with LinkedIn's core value prop.

4. Evaluate feasibility and risks

Identify technical, operational, and brand risks. Estimate resource requirements and potential cannibalization of the main app.

5. Propose a validation plan

Suggest a phased approach: start with user research, prototype testing, or a limited beta. Define clear metrics to decide whether to proceed, pivot, or stop.

Key Points to Mention

LinkedIn's core value is professional networking, not real-time chat; messaging is a feature, not a destination.
Standalone apps often fail due to fragmented user attention and increased friction (e.g., Facebook Messenger's forced split).
Consider alternative solutions: improving in-app messaging, adding lightweight chat features, or integrating with existing tools.
Data on user engagement: how many users actively use messaging, and what percentage would download a separate app?
Competitive analysis: successful standalone messengers (WhatsApp, WeChat) started as standalone, while others (Instagram Direct) thrived within the main app.
Opportunity cost: resources spent on a new app could be used to enhance core features or address bigger pain points.

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.