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Google·Software Engineer·Onsite - Product Sense / Strategy·Senior

Senior
May 2026

Summary

Interviewed for a product design role at Google and got hit with a classic critique question about one of their own flagship products. Short session, not much to it, but the question itself has some real depth if you let it.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Critique Google Maps. What works, what doesn't, and how would you improve it?

Product Sense & IdeationProduct Strategy
Author's notes

I went in thinking I'd nail this because I use Maps every day.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by framing your critique around user needs and Google's business goals, then systematically evaluate key aspects of Google Maps (e.g., accuracy, usability, performance, features). For each aspect, highlight strengths and weaknesses, and propose improvements that are technically feasible and aligned with Google's strategy.

Pro tip: Show empathy for both end-users and internal stakeholders (e.g., engineers, product managers) by acknowledging trade-offs like data freshness vs. privacy, and suggest improvements that leverage Google's strengths (e.g., AI, vast data) while being mindful of constraints.

1. Clarify evaluation criteria

Define the dimensions you'll use to critique Google Maps, such as accuracy, usability, performance, features, and business impact. This shows structured thinking.

2. Identify what works well

Acknowledge Google Maps' strengths, like comprehensive data, real-time traffic, and seamless integration with other Google services. Be specific about why these are valuable.

3. Identify what doesn't work

Point out weaknesses or pain points, such as occasional inaccuracies, privacy concerns, or feature bloat. Prioritize issues that affect core user journeys.

4. Propose improvements

Suggest concrete, actionable improvements for the weaknesses identified. Explain how they would benefit users and Google, and consider technical feasibility.

5. Prioritize and conclude

Summarize your top recommendations, explaining which improvements would have the highest impact and why. Tie back to Google's mission and business objectives.

Key Points to Mention

  • Accuracy and freshness of map data (e.g., new roads, business hours)
  • User experience: ease of use, accessibility, and customization
  • Performance: app speed, battery consumption, offline functionality
  • Privacy and ethical considerations (e.g., location tracking, data usage)
  • Monetization and business model (e.g., ads, local recommendations)
  • Integration with emerging technologies (e.g., AR, AI for predictive routing)

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