How To Answer Product Improvement Questions In PM Interviews

Step by step guide on how to answer Product Improvement Questions asked at top tech companies with detailed answers by Product Managers at FAANG and other top companies

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You’re sitting across from your interviewer at Google. They lean forward and ask: “How would you improve YouTube?”

Your mind races. Do they want more features? Better engagement? Higher revenue? Should you focus on creators or viewers? Mobile or desktop?

This moment separates good PM candidates from great ones.

Product improvement questions are the backbone of PM interviews at FAANG companies. They’re designed to reveal how you think, prioritize, and solve real product challenges under pressure. The good news? With the right framework, you can tackle any improvement question confidently.

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Why Interviewers Ask Product Improvement Questions

Before diving into the framework, understand what interviewers are really evaluating:

• Structured thinking – Can you create a methodical approach in ambiguous situations?

• Product intuition – Do you understand how products serve different user segments?

• Problem identification – Can you pinpoint real pain points users face?

• Creative solutions – Are you able to think innovatively about enhancements?

• Prioritization – Can you evaluate trade-offs and build a logical roadmap?

Remember: there’s no single “right answer” to these questions. Interviewers care more about how you think than what you conclude.

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How To Answer Product Improvement Questions?

Here’s a proven nine-step framework for answering any product improvement question.

0. Keywords - Pay attention to the keywords in the question.

1. P - Product: Describe what the product does and who it serves.

2. Q – Questions: Ask clarifying questions to narrow the scope.

3. G – Goal: Define the business or user goal you’re improving.

4. U – Users: Identify user segments and pick one to focus on.

5. P – Pain Points: List key pain points for that segment.

6. S – Solutions: Brainstorm possible improvements.

7. E – Evaluate: Prioritize solutions and discuss trade-offs.

8. M – Metrics: Define success metrics.

9. S – Summarize: Recap your reasoning clearly.

Use the mnemonic PQ-GUP-SEMS to remember the sequence.

Let’s break down each step.

Step 0: Listen for Keywords (The Hidden Step)

Before launching into your framework, write down the exact question. This might seem obvious, but it’s crucial.

Consider these two questions:

• “How would you improve LinkedIn?”

• “How would you improve the retention of LinkedIn Premium?”

They sound similar but require completely different approaches. The first is open-ended; the second has a specific focus (retention) and user segment (Premium subscribers).

Writing down the question ensures you stay aligned with what the interviewer is actually asking throughout your answer.

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Step 1: Describe the Product

Start by demonstrating you understand the product. This keeps you and your interviewer aligned from the beginning.

Cover these four elements:

1. What does the product do?

2. Who is it for?

3. How are they using it?

4. What pain point does it solve?

Example for Spotify:

“Spotify is a music streaming platform that allows users to listen to millions of songs on-demand. It serves both casual listeners looking to discover music and dedicated fans who want to organize their favorite tracks. Users primarily engage through playlists, discovery features, and personalized recommendations. The core pain point Spotify solves is giving users instant access to nearly any song they want without purchasing individual albums.”

Pro tip: If you’re unfamiliar with the product, ask the interviewer for a brief overview. They’ll usually help.

Confirm your understanding before moving forward: “Does this align with how you see the product?”

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Step 2: Ask Clarifying Questions

Never assume you know what the interviewer wants. Define every keyword in the problem statement.