← Google Interview Insights

Google·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

IntermediatePrefer not to say
May 2026

Summary

Got a PM-style question thrown at me during what I thought was a standard SWE loop at Google. Just the one question but it took up a solid chunk of the session and I was not prepared for that angle.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

You're the PM of Google Doodles. What would your top three metrics be and why?

Product Analytics & MetricsProduct Sense & IdeationProduct Strategy
Author's notes

I blanked for a second because I kept thinking 'why are they asking me this, I'm a SWE candidate.' Once I got past that I tried to think about what Doodles actually does: it's not a revenue product, it's more about brand and engagement.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the goal of Google Doodles: to celebrate culture and drive engagement without disrupting core search. Then propose metrics that balance user engagement, brand impact, and business health, explaining how each ties to Doodle-specific goals.

Pro tip: Acknowledge that Doodles are a unique blend of art and utility, so metrics should avoid incentivizing clickbait or distracting from search; instead, focus on delight and long-term brand affinity.

1. Clarify the objective

Confirm that Doodles aim to celebrate culture, educate, and drive engagement while preserving search utility. This sets the context for metric selection.

2. Identify key stakeholders

Consider users, Google brand, and internal teams (e.g., search, marketing). Metrics should reflect value to each without cannibalizing core search.

3. Propose top three metrics

Select metrics that cover engagement (e.g., Doodle interaction rate), brand impact (e.g., social shares/sentiment), and business health (e.g., search abandonment rate).

4. Justify each metric

Explain why each metric matters, how it ties to Doodle goals, and potential trade-offs. Use examples like interactive Doodles vs. static ones.

5. Summarize and iterate

Conclude by emphasizing the balance between engagement and utility, and suggest how metrics might evolve with Doodle strategy.

Key Points to Mention

  • Doodle interaction rate (e.g., clicks, plays, time spent) as a measure of engagement
  • Social shares and sentiment analysis to gauge brand amplification and cultural impact
  • Search abandonment or bounce rate to ensure Doodles don't harm core search experience
  • Return visitor rate or brand affinity metrics to track long-term user connection
  • Segmentation by Doodle type (interactive, video, static) and geography for nuanced insights
  • Guardrail metrics like page load time or search latency to avoid technical regressions

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