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

SeniorPrefer not to say
May 2026

Summary

Lyft product design interview, one question about building an ad product. Pretty open-ended and I wasn't totally sure how deep to go on the monetization side versus the user experience side.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Design an advertising product for Lyft.

Product Sense & IdeationPricing & MonetizationGo-to-Market (GTM)
Author's notes

I started with the rider experience because I figured ads in a captive in-car context are different from, say, a feed.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the goal of the advertising product—whether it's to increase revenue, improve rider/driver experience, or compete with other platforms. Then, segment users (riders, drivers, advertisers) and identify pain points or opportunities. Finally, propose a product concept, outline its features, pricing model, and go-to-market strategy, ensuring alignment with Lyft's core business.

Pro tip: Focus on how the advertising product enhances Lyft's existing ecosystem rather than disrupting it—advertisers should add value to riders and drivers, not annoy them. Also, consider Lyft's unique position with its driver network and in-car experience as a differentiator.

1. Clarify Objectives and Scope

Ask clarifying questions to understand the goal: Is this for in-app ads, in-car ads, or partnerships? What metrics define success (e.g., revenue, engagement)?

2. Identify Target Users and Pain Points

Segment users into riders, drivers, and advertisers. For each, identify needs: riders want relevant, non-intrusive offers; drivers want extra income; advertisers want targeted reach.

3. Brainstorm and Select Product Concept

Generate ideas (e.g., in-app sponsored destinations, in-car tablets with ads, driver-partnered promotions) and choose one that balances user experience and monetization.

4. Define Features, Pricing, and Monetization

Outline key features (targeting, formats, measurement) and pricing model (CPM, CPC, subscription). Consider revenue share with drivers if applicable.

5. Outline Go-to-Market and Success Metrics

Describe launch strategy (pilot cities, partnerships), marketing to advertisers, and KPIs (ad revenue, rider retention, driver satisfaction).

Key Points to Mention

  • Leverage Lyft's unique data: ride destinations, time of day, user profiles for hyper-targeted ads.
  • Non-intrusive ad formats: e.g., opt-in rewards, sponsored ride discounts, or in-car entertainment.
  • Driver incentives: share ad revenue with drivers to increase buy-in and differentiate from Uber.
  • Pricing models: consider CPM for brand awareness, CPC for performance, or subscription for frequent advertisers.
  • Go-to-market: pilot in select cities, partner with local businesses, and use Lyft's sales team to onboard advertisers.
  • Success metrics: track ad revenue, rider engagement, driver satisfaction, and impact on core ride-hailing metrics.

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