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Google Product Design Interview Questions

Review this list of 257 Google Product Design interview questions and answers verified by hiring managers and candidates.
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    56 answers
    +44

    "To improve, we first need to understand the problems or opportunities for improvement that are currently present. Assumption: Potential improvement in the recommendation algorithm to make recommendations more pointed Current recommendations are not very specific. Users end up getting frustrated and move away from YouTube Potential improvement in the recommendation algorithm to make sure the user is not just bombarded with one set of videos, but gets varied recommendations to c"

    Aekagra S. - "To improve, we first need to understand the problems or opportunities for improvement that are currently present. Assumption: Potential improvement in the recommendation algorithm to make recommendations more pointed Current recommendations are not very specific. Users end up getting frustrated and move away from YouTube Potential improvement in the recommendation algorithm to make sure the user is not just bombarded with one set of videos, but gets varied recommendations to c"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
    +2 more
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    300 answers
    Video answer for 'What's your favorite product and why?'
    +289

    "Clarify "What do you mean by favorite product? Are you thinking specifically hardware, software, or a feature within those, or something non-electronic? Dealer's Choice. "Are you asking why I love this product, or to explain why this product is a market leader independent of how i feel about it? Talk about why YOU love this product. Rephrase Question With all that in mind, i want to rephrase the question. "What is your favorite software product and what features in this product"

    Tim W. - "Clarify "What do you mean by favorite product? Are you thinking specifically hardware, software, or a feature within those, or something non-electronic? Dealer's Choice. "Are you asking why I love this product, or to explain why this product is a market leader independent of how i feel about it? Talk about why YOU love this product. Rephrase Question With all that in mind, i want to rephrase the question. "What is your favorite software product and what features in this product"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
    +4 more
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    25 answers
    +22

    "How would you improve a water bottle? To start, I want to ask a few clarifying questions about this problem: Are there specific users you had in mind? Start with users: Lifestyle: People that think water bottles are fashionable and buy based off of social media trends, put stickers or decorate their water bottles, hydroflask users, stanley cup, owala Athelete: gatorade squeeze bottle easy quick hydration Traveler, hikers, backpackers: larger capacity nalgenes or durable plastic water bot"

    Anish G. - "How would you improve a water bottle? To start, I want to ask a few clarifying questions about this problem: Are there specific users you had in mind? Start with users: Lifestyle: People that think water bottles are fashionable and buy based off of social media trends, put stickers or decorate their water bottles, hydroflask users, stanley cup, owala Athelete: gatorade squeeze bottle easy quick hydration Traveler, hikers, backpackers: larger capacity nalgenes or durable plastic water bot"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    37 answers
    +34

    "Clarifications: Which aspect of birthday are we thinking about designing a product for? Birthday reminder, birthday planning, event management or birthday wishing?- People are generally reminded of their birthdays by their friends/family, social media, their own self awareness, so its not a critical problem to solve Social apps like FB have birthday wishing features for the larger audience & for wishing friends/family, people would generally call or wish in person Manag"

    Debajyoti B. - "Clarifications: Which aspect of birthday are we thinking about designing a product for? Birthday reminder, birthday planning, event management or birthday wishing?- People are generally reminded of their birthdays by their friends/family, social media, their own self awareness, so its not a critical problem to solve Social apps like FB have birthday wishing features for the larger audience & for wishing friends/family, people would generally call or wish in person Manag"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    2 answers

    "Clarifying Questions Before diving in, a few questions to align on scope: Apple Maps is pre-installed on all iPhones and iPads, correct? We're keeping the web channel but focusing on the app? Core use case: navigation, nearby search, traffic, location sharing, place discovery? Are we targeting the US only, and what's the market share goal? Assume answers: Yes to all. Currently 5% share, target 20% in 18 months. 80% owned by Google Maps. Reframing the Problem A 5% → 20% jump i"

    Vani B. - "Clarifying Questions Before diving in, a few questions to align on scope: Apple Maps is pre-installed on all iPhones and iPads, correct? We're keeping the web channel but focusing on the app? Core use case: navigation, nearby search, traffic, location sharing, place discovery? Are we targeting the US only, and what's the market share goal? Assume answers: Yes to all. Currently 5% share, target 20% in 18 months. 80% owned by Google Maps. Reframing the Problem A 5% → 20% jump i"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
    +1 more
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  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    33 answers
    +30

    "Design a washing machine for Google Step 1: Building Context through clarifying questions Are we looking at building a complete washing machine(new line of business) or a connected app for washing machine like Android Auto? Any specific geography to look for Goal? Increase usage of any specific google product or introduce smart white goods hardware Step 2: Target users Individuals Single Family Couple Hotels Students Laundromats **Apartments/Studen"

    Anonymous Flamingo - "Design a washing machine for Google Step 1: Building Context through clarifying questions Are we looking at building a complete washing machine(new line of business) or a connected app for washing machine like Android Auto? Any specific geography to look for Goal? Increase usage of any specific google product or introduce smart white goods hardware Step 2: Target users Individuals Single Family Couple Hotels Students Laundromats **Apartments/Studen"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    98 answers
    Video answer for 'Design a product for drivers during rush hour.'
    +92

    "Clarification Define rush hour? hours leading up to the work day 8-10am and after the work day 5-7pm Are we focused on specific types of drivers? American commuters. Private drivers going to and from work What is Google's goal? Increase engagement with google services Roadmap for interviewer: User--> Pain Points-->Solution--> Vision-->Features-->Tradeoffs User American commuters. Private drivers going to and from work Can't be too distracted even durin"

    Kwabena B. - "Clarification Define rush hour? hours leading up to the work day 8-10am and after the work day 5-7pm Are we focused on specific types of drivers? American commuters. Private drivers going to and from work What is Google's goal? Increase engagement with google services Roadmap for interviewer: User--> Pain Points-->Solution--> Vision-->Features-->Tradeoffs User American commuters. Private drivers going to and from work Can't be too distracted even durin"See full answer

    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    8 answers
    +5

    "First, I'll ask some clarifying questions and redefine the scope for us, ok? So, Can we assume that we are working at a company that has discovered a way to travel through time and we have this patented state of the art technology? Sure! Ok, then I will think of this problem from the perspective of a business if that is ok? Yes Is the traveling process instant or lengthy? Assume instant. Can I assume there are no idea constraints and that since time travel is existing that ther"

    Tesvara J. - "First, I'll ask some clarifying questions and redefine the scope for us, ok? So, Can we assume that we are working at a company that has discovered a way to travel through time and we have this patented state of the art technology? Sure! Ok, then I will think of this problem from the perspective of a business if that is ok? Yes Is the traveling process instant or lengthy? Assume instant. Can I assume there are no idea constraints and that since time travel is existing that ther"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    24 answers
    +20

    "Clarifying Travellers in this context are people who are taking domestic or international flights. Answer: Correct. Are we designing to integrate into an existing product line or completely standalone? Answer: Integrate into existing products. Are we designing for a specific geography? Answer: Let’s try North America first; we can expand later. Company Mission Organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Company Strategy "

    Darpan D. - "Clarifying Travellers in this context are people who are taking domestic or international flights. Answer: Correct. Are we designing to integrate into an existing product line or completely standalone? Answer: Integrate into existing products. Are we designing for a specific geography? Answer: Let’s try North America first; we can expand later. Company Mission Organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Company Strategy "See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
    +1 more
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    29 answers
    +25

    "Clarify: A new company that is coming up with a solution for garage door openers The door opener will be installed in houses. Confirm if offices, service centers etc are in the scope At this point, we are looking a specific demographic/market - India Users: People who own a car and a personal parking space. The distinction here : They have hired a watchman for the house They didnt hire a watch for the house For this problem, I will focus on those people who didnt hire a watchman"

    Sahil A. - "Clarify: A new company that is coming up with a solution for garage door openers The door opener will be installed in houses. Confirm if offices, service centers etc are in the scope At this point, we are looking a specific demographic/market - India Users: People who own a car and a personal parking space. The distinction here : They have hired a watchman for the house They didnt hire a watch for the house For this problem, I will focus on those people who didnt hire a watchman"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    24 answers
    +21

    "Assumptions & Clarifications This is a platform based on YouTube, and it can use associated Google Products like Gmail, GDocs, GSheets etc along with Youtube as a base platform. Do you have any specific goals with the platform? For instance, should this be the de facto platform for Universities K12 schools etc? Assumption is that it can be used by anyone. Let us first discuss the target users, and then arrive at appropriate goals that we can use to measure the adoption of the produc"

    Karthik M. - "Assumptions & Clarifications This is a platform based on YouTube, and it can use associated Google Products like Gmail, GDocs, GSheets etc along with Youtube as a base platform. Do you have any specific goals with the platform? For instance, should this be the de facto platform for Universities K12 schools etc? Assumption is that it can be used by anyone. Let us first discuss the target users, and then arrive at appropriate goals that we can use to measure the adoption of the produc"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    19 answers
    +15

    "Okay, so before we start discussing how to design this platform, I have a few questions I need details on. Clarification Questions: What do you mean by "Podcasting Platform"? Producing a platform and releasing it online takes several steps (Ideation, scripting, equipment selection, recording, editing, choosing a platform to release, etc.). Are we looking at any specific step here? - Free to Assume Am I PM at Google designing a Podcast Platform as a tool inside existing Google Pro"

    Pranay N. - "Okay, so before we start discussing how to design this platform, I have a few questions I need details on. Clarification Questions: What do you mean by "Podcasting Platform"? Producing a platform and releasing it online takes several steps (Ideation, scripting, equipment selection, recording, editing, choosing a platform to release, etc.). Are we looking at any specific step here? - Free to Assume Am I PM at Google designing a Podcast Platform as a tool inside existing Google Pro"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
    +1 more
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    19 answers
    +16

    "Here is the sample answer from the Assistant at https://chat.openai.com/g/g-Z8yp2xrzt-fang-pm-interview-assistant As a Product Manager at Google, designing a product for air travelers involves leveraging Google's technological prowess and vast data resources. Here's a comprehensive approach: 1. \\Understanding Goals and Objectives\\ \\Primary Goal:\\ Enhance the travel experience for air travelers through seamless information access, personalized s"

    Manish M. - "Here is the sample answer from the Assistant at https://chat.openai.com/g/g-Z8yp2xrzt-fang-pm-interview-assistant As a Product Manager at Google, designing a product for air travelers involves leveraging Google's technological prowess and vast data resources. Here's a comprehensive approach: 1. \\Understanding Goals and Objectives\\ \\Primary Goal:\\ Enhance the travel experience for air travelers through seamless information access, personalized s"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    59 answers
    +56

    "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
    +1 more
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    28 answers
    +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 Design
    +1 more
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    8 answers
    +5

    "To build a product using Generative AI (Gen AI), the process would involve multiple steps, from conceptualization to deployment. Here's a structured approach : 1. Identify the Problem or Opportunity Start with the need or opportunity: What problem do you want to solve? Is it to automate tasks, generate content, enhance creativity, or improve user experience? Example products:A content creation tool that generates blog posts or articles. A personalized customer support chatbot"

    Maulik S. - "To build a product using Generative AI (Gen AI), the process would involve multiple steps, from conceptualization to deployment. Here's a structured approach : 1. Identify the Problem or Opportunity Start with the need or opportunity: What problem do you want to solve? Is it to automate tasks, generate content, enhance creativity, or improve user experience? Example products:A content creation tool that generates blog posts or articles. A personalized customer support chatbot"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
    +1 more
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    39 answers
    +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

    Product Design
    Analytical
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    20 answers
    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
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    11 answers
    +8

    "Clarification Questions What does it mean by Next Gen Elevator? → Next Gen Elevator means Elevator using new technologies. Where is this Elevator situated? → Skyscrapers, Commercial Buildings, Residential Buildings or Elevators to Space? Assuming it’s Commercial Buildings. What is the Goal of Making Next Gen Elevators? Is it improving Safety? User Experience? Assuming it’s User Experience _Goal: To design an elevator using emerging technologies to improve user experience in a C"

    Anonymous Muskox - "Clarification Questions What does it mean by Next Gen Elevator? → Next Gen Elevator means Elevator using new technologies. Where is this Elevator situated? → Skyscrapers, Commercial Buildings, Residential Buildings or Elevators to Space? Assuming it’s Commercial Buildings. What is the Goal of Making Next Gen Elevators? Is it improving Safety? User Experience? Assuming it’s User Experience _Goal: To design an elevator using emerging technologies to improve user experience in a C"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Google logoAsked at Google 
    10 answers
    Video answer for 'Design a great gas station.'
    +7

    "A gas station is a place to refuel our cars to a set amount, pay for it, and get out. What do we mean by great - do we want to revamp the experience of a gas station? Yes. Who are we? Let's say we are one of the big oil dealerships in the US. OK, so we are looking at building this in the US? Yes. Is this for a specific type of gas station - for trucks, normal cars, or other special vehicles? Assume it's for normal cars. We are a big oil dealership and we want to revamp our gas stations."

    Gokul S. - "A gas station is a place to refuel our cars to a set amount, pay for it, and get out. What do we mean by great - do we want to revamp the experience of a gas station? Yes. Who are we? Let's say we are one of the big oil dealerships in the US. OK, so we are looking at building this in the US? Yes. Is this for a specific type of gas station - for trucks, normal cars, or other special vehicles? Assume it's for normal cars. We are a big oil dealership and we want to revamp our gas stations."See full answer

    Product Design
Showing 1-20 of 257