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Coinbase·Data Scientist·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

Intermediate
Jul 2026

Summary

Coinbase data science interview with a product estimation question built around a real marketing scenario. Pretty open-ended, which I wasn't fully prepared for.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

A crypto company runs a Super Bowl ad showing only a QR code. Viewers who scan it and complete sign-up get a $15 coupon. Estimate the total number of successful sign-ups from that campaign.

Product Analytics & MetricsA/B Testing & Experimentation
Author's notes

I started with Super Bowl viewership, which felt solid ground, then immediately got tangled trying to estimate scan rates because I kept second-guessing myself on how many people actually have their phone out while watching.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Break the problem into a funnel: Super Bowl viewership → QR code scans → sign-up completions. Estimate each stage using reasonable assumptions and industry benchmarks, then multiply to get the total successful sign-ups. Sanity-check the final number against known metrics like Coinbase's user base and typical conversion rates.

Pro tip: Anchor your estimate with a known figure (e.g., Super Bowl viewership ~100M) and use round numbers to simplify calculations. Mention that the $15 coupon may attract low-quality users, so consider adjusting for drop-off after sign-up.

1. Estimate Super Bowl viewership

Start with the total U.S. TV audience for the Super Bowl (e.g., ~100 million viewers). Consider that not all viewers are potential crypto users, but for simplicity, assume all are exposed to the ad.

2. Estimate QR code scan rate

Determine what percentage of viewers would scan a QR code during a live event. Use benchmarks from similar campaigns (e.g., 0.1%–1%) and adjust for factors like ad creativity, audience interest, and mobile accessibility.

3. Estimate sign-up completion rate

Not everyone who scans completes the sign-up process. Assume a conversion rate from scan to completed sign-up (e.g., 10%–30%) based on typical mobile conversion funnels and the incentive of a $15 coupon.

4. Calculate total sign-ups

Multiply the estimates: viewership × scan rate × sign-up completion rate. For example, 100M × 0.5% × 20% = 100,000 sign-ups.

5. Sanity-check and refine

Compare the result to Coinbase's existing user base and typical campaign performance. Adjust assumptions if the number seems too high or low, and consider additional factors like international viewers or time zone effects.

Key Points to Mention

  • Super Bowl viewership size and demographics
  • QR code scan rate benchmarks from similar campaigns
  • Sign-up funnel conversion rates and drop-off points
  • Impact of the $15 coupon on conversion and user quality
  • Potential for viral or social media amplification
  • Comparison to Coinbase's overall user acquisition metrics

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