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

SeniorPrefer not to say

May 2026

Summary

A product sense question from an Intuit interview, focused on how you'd approach building a restaurant reservation feature for Yelp. Pretty open-ended, more strategy than execution.

Questions Asked (1)

Yelp wants to break into the restaurant reservation space but hasn't gained traction. If you were the PM, how would you define the next steps and design the product?

Product StrategyProduct Sense & IdeationGo-to-Market (GTM)

Author's notes

My first instinct was to jump straight into features, which was a mistake.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by diagnosing why Yelp's reservation efforts haven't gained traction, then define a focused product strategy that leverages Yelp's unique strengths in discovery and reviews. Structure your answer around a clear framework: problem diagnosis, user segmentation, product design, and go-to-market, ensuring you tie each step back to Yelp's core value proposition.

Pro tip: Show that you understand the competitive landscape and Yelp's business model by acknowledging that reservations are a two-sided market; success requires not just diner adoption but also restaurant supply, so address both sides explicitly.

1. Diagnose the Current State

Analyze why Yelp's reservation feature hasn't gained traction by examining user behavior, restaurant adoption, and competitive dynamics. Identify key pain points and gaps in the current offering.

2. Define Target Users and Value Proposition

Segment users (e.g., diners, restaurants) and prioritize a beachhead segment where Yelp has a unique advantage. Articulate a clear value proposition for each side of the market.

3. Design the Product Solution

Propose features that integrate reservations seamlessly into Yelp's discovery flow, leveraging reviews, photos, and personalized recommendations. Consider partnerships or acquisitions to accelerate supply.

4. Outline Go-to-Market Strategy

Develop a phased rollout plan, including restaurant acquisition tactics, diner incentives, and marketing channels. Define success metrics and iterate based on feedback.

Key Points to Mention

Leverage Yelp's core strength: rich review and photo content to differentiate from OpenTable and Resy.
Address the chicken-and-egg problem by focusing on a specific city or cuisine to build density.
Integrate reservations directly into the search and discovery experience to reduce friction.
Consider partnerships with restaurant POS systems to streamline availability and booking.
Define clear success metrics such as reservation volume, restaurant retention, and cross-sell with Yelp's ad products.
Acknowledge potential conflicts with Yelp's advertising model and how to align incentives.

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