Google Interview Questions

Review this list of 855 Google interview questions and answers verified by hiring managers and candidates.
  • +41

    "Lyft at its core is a marketplace with drivers and cars on the supply side, and passengers on the demand side. I would begin by dividing the goal of the dashboard into two categories : Health of the marketplace Health of the app/ reliability from a technical perspective The second one is more straightforward so I’ll briefly mention some overarching metrics I would look at and come back to it later if time allows. Health or reliability of the app can be further divided into the following -"

    Sukriti C. - "Lyft at its core is a marketplace with drivers and cars on the supply side, and passengers on the demand side. I would begin by dividing the goal of the dashboard into two categories : Health of the marketplace Health of the app/ reliability from a technical perspective The second one is more straightforward so I’ll briefly mention some overarching metrics I would look at and come back to it later if time allows. Health or reliability of the app can be further divided into the following -"See full answer

    Data Scientist
    Analytical
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    +12

    "100 people per floor x 100 floors = 10,000 people. Uses of the elevator per day per person: 4, so 40,000 rides per day. Average length of a ride = 50 floors, assuming each ride is to the lobby. Target time per ride: 1 minute. Assuming 80% of traffic occurs during four rush hours, then 32,000 rides must happen in that time, so 133 per minute. Assuming six people per ride then you get 22 elevators required to operate during peak times. I reality you have to treat this as a Poisson arrival process"

    Marcos P. - "100 people per floor x 100 floors = 10,000 people. Uses of the elevator per day per person: 4, so 40,000 rides per day. Average length of a ride = 50 floors, assuming each ride is to the lobby. Target time per ride: 1 minute. Assuming 80% of traffic occurs during four rush hours, then 32,000 rides must happen in that time, so 133 per minute. Assuming six people per ride then you get 22 elevators required to operate during peak times. I reality you have to treat this as a Poisson arrival process"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Analytical
  • "2 Approaches: 1) The more intuitive approach is doing a multi-source BFS from all cats and storing the distance of closest cats. Then do a dfs/bfs from rat to bread. Time Complexity: O(mn + 4^L) where L is path length, worst case L could be mn Space Complexity: O(m*n) 2) The first approach should be fine for interviews. But if they ask to optimize it further, you can use Binary Search. Problems like "Finding max of min distance" or "Finding min of max" could be usually solved by BS. "

    Karan K. - "2 Approaches: 1) The more intuitive approach is doing a multi-source BFS from all cats and storing the distance of closest cats. Then do a dfs/bfs from rat to bread. Time Complexity: O(mn + 4^L) where L is path length, worst case L could be mn Space Complexity: O(m*n) 2) The first approach should be fine for interviews. But if they ask to optimize it further, you can use Binary Search. Problems like "Finding max of min distance" or "Finding min of max" could be usually solved by BS. "See full answer

    Software Engineer
    Coding
    +1 more
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    +7

    "This question can be answered in two different ways: a. Strategic b. Product Sense Since , the question is which product you would work upon , it is likely a product strategy question , where interviewer is trying to find about how would you go about selecting the product to solve for. Another approach would be to clarify on the two approaches from the Interviewer. Can ask your hierarchy in PM role [ APM/PM/ Sr. PM / GPM ] and then approach this. Candidate : Do you have any specific goal"

    Vivek S. - "This question can be answered in two different ways: a. Strategic b. Product Sense Since , the question is which product you would work upon , it is likely a product strategy question , where interviewer is trying to find about how would you go about selecting the product to solve for. Another approach would be to clarify on the two approaches from the Interviewer. Can ask your hierarchy in PM role [ APM/PM/ Sr. PM / GPM ] and then approach this. Candidate : Do you have any specific goal"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Strategy
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    +25

    "Candidate: Before we go ahead I have a few clarifying questions, I’d like to ask. Interviewer: Sure. Candidate: Just to clarify, we would like to improve WhatsApp and our goal is to earn revenue from it. Is that true? Interviewer: Yes, that is true. Candidate: Great, WhatsApp currently has 3 different plans. 1) Private WhatsApp 2) WhatsApp Business for small B2C businesses 3) WhatsApp Business API, for medium and large B2C businesses. I know that the 3’rd category"

    Jasmin R. - "Candidate: Before we go ahead I have a few clarifying questions, I’d like to ask. Interviewer: Sure. Candidate: Just to clarify, we would like to improve WhatsApp and our goal is to earn revenue from it. Is that true? Interviewer: Yes, that is true. Candidate: Great, WhatsApp currently has 3 different plans. 1) Private WhatsApp 2) WhatsApp Business for small B2C businesses 3) WhatsApp Business API, for medium and large B2C businesses. I know that the 3’rd category"See full answer

    Sales Representative
    Product Strategy
    +1 more
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  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    +55

    "Approach Clarify the question Define deaf --> unable to hear, but can communicate via sign language, lip read and use all other senses Define fire alarm --> for residential use, it notifies occupants of smoke and potential fires and alerts fire department to check in and/or come over Define constraints --> budgetary constraint, design should be user-friendly and convenient Define goals --> get folks out of harm's way quickly and notify fire department to c"

    Bella R. - "Approach Clarify the question Define deaf --> unable to hear, but can communicate via sign language, lip read and use all other senses Define fire alarm --> for residential use, it notifies occupants of smoke and potential fires and alerts fire department to check in and/or come over Define constraints --> budgetary constraint, design should be user-friendly and convenient Define goals --> get folks out of harm's way quickly and notify fire department to c"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
    +2 more
  • +36

    "Gotcha, so I understand that our goal is to improve Google Docs and identify key metrics. Questions Is the purpose of these metrics to quantify the performance specifically of the features we suggest? Or Docs as a broader product and its impact on the Google ecosystem? Let's assume the former. Is there any goal we are trying to improve for Google Docs? Let's assume we want to increase usage, and have Docs also drive productivity suite subscriptions. Are there any specific"

    Daniel P. - "Gotcha, so I understand that our goal is to improve Google Docs and identify key metrics. Questions Is the purpose of these metrics to quantify the performance specifically of the features we suggest? Or Docs as a broader product and its impact on the Google ecosystem? Let's assume the former. Is there any goal we are trying to improve for Google Docs? Let's assume we want to increase usage, and have Docs also drive productivity suite subscriptions. Are there any specific"See full answer

    Analytical
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    +12

    "Clarifying question: why would Google consider sunsetting Gmail? Is there an opportunity to make a case against sunsetting or has the executive decision already been made and we're truly looking for a flawless sunset? If decision has already been made - why? Is this a global decision or country-specific? If the answer from interviewer is that the decision is open to debate, pivot case toward identifying the problem that causes leadership to even consider sunset. Then analyze and propose ways to"

    Anonymous Sparrow - "Clarifying question: why would Google consider sunsetting Gmail? Is there an opportunity to make a case against sunsetting or has the executive decision already been made and we're truly looking for a flawless sunset? If decision has already been made - why? Is this a global decision or country-specific? If the answer from interviewer is that the decision is open to debate, pivot case toward identifying the problem that causes leadership to even consider sunset. Then analyze and propose ways to"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Strategy
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    +11

    "Clarification Are we focusing on building the product on a specific Meta platform (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), or is this a standalone effort? Is the product digital or physical? Are we targeting internal (employees) or external (customers) users? Are there any specific constraints like funding, resourcing, or geography? 1. Narrowing Down the Problem Awareness and Education: Create tools to increase understanding of climate change and its effects. -"

    Ram - "Clarification Are we focusing on building the product on a specific Meta platform (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), or is this a standalone effort? Is the product digital or physical? Are we targeting internal (employees) or external (customers) users? Are there any specific constraints like funding, resourcing, or geography? 1. Narrowing Down the Problem Awareness and Education: Create tools to increase understanding of climate change and its effects. -"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
    +2 more
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    Software Engineer
    System Design
  • +21

    "I will first start with listing down the GOALS of Google Sheets as a product GOALS: Enable better collaboration amongst employees in an organisation Make edits parallel Share with co-workers so that the team can work seamlessly Increase user engagement, activity and make more users aware about the functionality and usefulness of Google Sheets Next, i will try and list the broader ACTIONS a user might take ACTIONS: Create a new Google Sheet Share with co-workers M"

    Prateek G. - "I will first start with listing down the GOALS of Google Sheets as a product GOALS: Enable better collaboration amongst employees in an organisation Make edits parallel Share with co-workers so that the team can work seamlessly Increase user engagement, activity and make more users aware about the functionality and usefulness of Google Sheets Next, i will try and list the broader ACTIONS a user might take ACTIONS: Create a new Google Sheet Share with co-workers M"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Analytical
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    Video answer for 'How would you improve Google Maps?'
    +17

    "Start by explaining your understanding of Google Maps. It is a free web/mobile-based feature that allows users to navigate from Point A to B, trip planning locate restaurants, hair salons, other points of interest around a point on the map Businesses use to sponsor advertisements based on Map search string. Clarify what does improvement means, "Improve" is a loaded term - what do we mean by improvement: increased ad revenue, improve the quality of the results, increase downloads, imp"

    Rachita D. - "Start by explaining your understanding of Google Maps. It is a free web/mobile-based feature that allows users to navigate from Point A to B, trip planning locate restaurants, hair salons, other points of interest around a point on the map Businesses use to sponsor advertisements based on Map search string. Clarify what does improvement means, "Improve" is a loaded term - what do we mean by improvement: increased ad revenue, improve the quality of the results, increase downloads, imp"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • +18

    "I will use below 4 pillars to rate and prioritize those 5 projects: Analyze the impact of those 5 projects, to our team and to the whole company maybe Find out if those 5 projects have any dependency between each other Clarify the timeline of each project Identity the status of resources to work on those 5 projects and also the status of their dependencies"

    Dean Z. - "I will use below 4 pillars to rate and prioritize those 5 projects: Analyze the impact of those 5 projects, to our team and to the whole company maybe Find out if those 5 projects have any dependency between each other Clarify the timeline of each project Identity the status of resources to work on those 5 projects and also the status of their dependencies"See full answer

    Software Engineer
    Behavioral
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    +2

    "Restaurant Types High-end Fast-food Regular User Types Restaurants – seeking operational efficiency and increased revenue. Customers – categorized by group size and dining intent: 2–4 Friends/Family – casual dining. Solo Diners – convenience and quick service. Groups > 4 – shared orders and split bills. Goal Design a tablet solution to achieve product-market fit by addressing key pain points and driving high ad"

    Brandy L. - "Restaurant Types High-end Fast-food Regular User Types Restaurants – seeking operational efficiency and increased revenue. Customers – categorized by group size and dining intent: 2–4 Friends/Family – casual dining. Solo Diners – convenience and quick service. Groups > 4 – shared orders and split bills. Goal Design a tablet solution to achieve product-market fit by addressing key pain points and driving high ad"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    +12

    "Clarifying Questions Are we building feature for YouTube Music/YouTube Video? -> YT Video has higher scope of user engagement so YT Video. YT Video has 2 forms of video content, are we focusing on long form, short form or am I free to chose ? -> YT Shorts and short videos have taken off lately so focus on it. Do we have a specific business goal with regards to building this feature ? -> We want to improve engagement. Do we want to build this feature for a specific kind of audience or"

    Mehul K. - "Clarifying Questions Are we building feature for YouTube Music/YouTube Video? -> YT Video has higher scope of user engagement so YT Video. YT Video has 2 forms of video content, are we focusing on long form, short form or am I free to chose ? -> YT Shorts and short videos have taken off lately so focus on it. Do we have a specific business goal with regards to building this feature ? -> We want to improve engagement. Do we want to build this feature for a specific kind of audience or"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    +6

    "Couple of Clarification Questions to be asked are: Aim of the physical product Retention/Encourage Loyalty Attract new customers Collect customer Data outside of the Airbnb ecosystem for better advertising and customer focus User Base of Airbnb Solotravellers - traveling to new places for exploring/solo travel Business Travelers - Lot of business Travelers who own small/medium businesses and book their own travel can choose airbnb Family gr"

    Manas M. - "Couple of Clarification Questions to be asked are: Aim of the physical product Retention/Encourage Loyalty Attract new customers Collect customer Data outside of the Airbnb ecosystem for better advertising and customer focus User Base of Airbnb Solotravellers - traveling to new places for exploring/solo travel Business Travelers - Lot of business Travelers who own small/medium businesses and book their own travel can choose airbnb Family gr"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • +18

    "Cloud computing is like going out to a restaurant instead of cooking dinner at home. When you cook at home, you have to do everything yourself. You need to use your own plates, pots, and pans. You have to know how many people are coming over and buy the right amount of ingredients. If more people join for dinner than you expected, you'll run out of food! But if fewer people show up, then you'll have leftovers that go to waste. And on top of it all, you have to do all the cooking, set up, and cl"

    Jacob S. - "Cloud computing is like going out to a restaurant instead of cooking dinner at home. When you cook at home, you have to do everything yourself. You need to use your own plates, pots, and pans. You have to know how many people are coming over and buy the right amount of ingredients. If more people join for dinner than you expected, you'll run out of food! But if fewer people show up, then you'll have leftovers that go to waste. And on top of it all, you have to do all the cooking, set up, and cl"See full answer

    Technical
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    Video answer for 'Design TikTok.'
    +18

    "I watched a couple of videos like this, one of them by Exponent staff (I think). It was disappointing that the architecture diagram and the walkthrough was a general layered architecture that you can apply to any backend system. I was wondering if there are videos that can be considered a reference material to watch, learn and improve on the tech (sys design) skills, and not so much about the soft skills."

    BriskD - "I watched a couple of videos like this, one of them by Exponent staff (I think). It was disappointing that the architecture diagram and the walkthrough was a general layered architecture that you can apply to any backend system. I was wondering if there are videos that can be considered a reference material to watch, learn and improve on the tech (sys design) skills, and not so much about the soft skills."See full answer

    Product Manager
    System Design
  • "From Product Management perspective: I would first start with some clarifying questions. Is this algorithm to be used across Play Store for all kinds of apps or for some specific catgeory of apps What is the major objective. Are you entering a new market and hence objective is to capture market OR already in an existing market and want to maximise profit (since Google, most likely second objective) I would like to experiment with algorithms and see results before finalising. This will nee"

    Aditya S. - "From Product Management perspective: I would first start with some clarifying questions. Is this algorithm to be used across Play Store for all kinds of apps or for some specific catgeory of apps What is the major objective. Are you entering a new market and hence objective is to capture market OR already in an existing market and want to maximise profit (since Google, most likely second objective) I would like to experiment with algorithms and see results before finalising. This will nee"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Analytical
    +1 more
  • +4

    "Weak point: suggested something that YouTube Music already does- offering the service free to Premium members. Rebounded by saying the lack of user awareness is a pain point and how it can be mitigated- by frequent check-ins by way of notifications and emails Strong point: discussed overall strategies of global expansion, marketing and innovation with pros and cons for each approach. Settled on discussing an innovation piece combining ranked recommendation of YouTube music as well as personaliz"

    Jazmia H. - "Weak point: suggested something that YouTube Music already does- offering the service free to Premium members. Rebounded by saying the lack of user awareness is a pain point and how it can be mitigated- by frequent check-ins by way of notifications and emails Strong point: discussed overall strategies of global expansion, marketing and innovation with pros and cons for each approach. Settled on discussing an innovation piece combining ranked recommendation of YouTube music as well as personaliz"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
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