Why Are Display Ads Bad? A Product Manager’s Perspective
Introduction
Aspiring product managers aiming for roles at top tech firms must be adept at critiquing various aspects of digital products, including user experience design and monetization strategies. In this blog, we’ll discuss why display ads may be considered unfavorable by dissecting the question, “Why are display ads bad?” Drawing from frameworks such as ‘Decode and Conquer: Answers to Product Management Interviews,’ we’ll construct a nuanced view of display advertising.
Detailed Guide on Framework Application
Choosing the Right Framework
To discuss the weaknesses of display ads, we’ll use the CIRCLES Method (Comprehend, Identify, Report, Cut through, List, Evaluate, and Summarize) as a lens to analyze the implications of display advertising on user experience and business outcomes.
Applying the CIRCLES Method
1. Comprehend
Understand the context of the question. Identify what display ads are and the role they play in online business models.
2. Identify
Recognize specific problems associated with display ads, such as user experience interruptions, reduced engagement, and potential security risks.
3. Report
Gather data and expert opinions that support the idea that display ads might have negative impacts. This could include bounce rates, click-through rates, and studies on user ad perception.
4. Cut through
Sift through the prototypical aspects of display ads and identify what really matters. For instance, their prevalence, intrusiveness, and relation to ad fatigue among users.
5. List
Enumerate the identified issues in an organized way, highlighting the most critical factors.
6. Evaluate
Analyze the trade-offs and benefits of display ads from multiple perspectives, including the end-users and the businesses that rely on ad revenue.
7. Summarize
Conclude with a succinct statement summarizing the evaluation of display ads and the reasoning behind their perceived negatives.
Hypothetical Examples
To answer the question effectively, you might say:
“Display ads can compromise user experience as they often disrupt content consumption. Metrics like an increased bounce rate from ad-heavy pages can corroborate this perspective.”
Facts Checks and Assumptions
It’s important to be informed about industry standards relating to ad performance metrics and user behavior towards advertising to back up your argument.
Communicating Effectively
Be articulate and nuanced in your critique. Recognize that while display ads have drawbacks, they also fund many business models and provide free user content. Show that you can balance critical insight with an understanding of business needs.
Conclusion
Understanding the minutiae of product features, including monetization strategies like display advertising, is key for product managers. By applying the CIRCLES Method, PM candidates can offer comprehensive, well-structured responses that acknowledge the complexities of these features. When preparing for interviews, practicing with this method can hone your ability to think critically about product decisions and communicate them effectively.