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How Would You Design TikTok For Elderly | Product Manager Mock Interview

Introduction

In a recent mock interview session, Bijan from PM Exercises led a discussion with Emrick, an experienced product manager, focusing on designing a version of TikTok for older users. This engaging dialogue explored clarifications, methodologies, pain points, user experiences, and potential solutions tailored to the elderly demographic. Here’s a comprehensive overview of their insightful conversation.

Introduction

Bijan started by greeting the audience and introducing Emrick, who brings five years of product management experience. The purpose of the session was clearly outlined: to tackle the product design question of modifying TikTok to cater to older adults aged 65 and above, focusing on enhancing its social impact.

Clarification Questions

Emrick began by asking a series of clarification questions. He wanted to understand the specific goals of the redesign. Bijan explained that while financial metrics like revenue and user retention are significant, the primary goal for this redesign would be to boost social impact. This approach would aim to improve user experience for the elderly, making TikTok accessible and enjoyable for them.

Defining Social Impact

Emrick defined "social impact" as focused on user satisfaction and community feedback rather than quantitative data. He emphasized the importance of user research to gauge how the adopted features resonate with older users, ensuring that design decisions align with their preferences.

Methodology Outline

Emrick laid out a structured approach for the project:

  1. Pain Point Analysis:

    • Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify user needs and issues.
    • Explore existing pain points related to content, user experience, and design.

  2. Target Users:

    • Focus on users aged 65 and above.
    • Ensure features are relevant and tailored to their specific needs.

  3. Simplified Offering:

    • Limit the initial scope to focusing on video browsing, commenting, and liking.

  4. Visual Design Adjustments:

    • Make UI/UX improvements, like larger buttons and better contrast for readability.

  5. Content Relevance:

    • Adjust the content algorithm to prioritize videos appealing to an older audience.

User Pain Points

In detailing user pain points, Emrick analyzed user behavior across several aspects:

  • Content: Understand what types of content appeal to older users.
  • User Interaction: Evaluate how non-tech-savvy users navigate the platform.
  • User Experience (UX) Design: Highlight the need for intuitive design with larger elements for ease of use.
  • Performance: Assess the devices older users commonly use to ensure compatibility.

Summary of Pain Points

Emrick summarized the key pain points:

  • Inexperienced users may struggle with comments and interactions.
  • Their comfort with social media varies, suggesting a need for user education.

Proposed Solutions

Once the pain points were identified, Emrick shifted toward possible solutions. Some notable suggestions included:

  • Simplifying the onboarding process.
  • Removing non-essential features initially to focus on core functionalities.
  • Allowing simpler content consumption, possibly introducing a 'pop-up' video feature.
  • Implementing a robust reporting mechanism for inappropriate content.

Identification of Older Users

Emrick noted the importance of identifying which users belong to the elderly demographic. Both the signup process and algorithm-based behavior analysis could assist in this selection.

Data Privacy Considerations

The conversation highlighted concerns about data access restrictions, particularly on platforms like iOS. Emrick suggested relying on mutual permissions or the content algorithm to make educated guesses about user demographics.

Conclusion and Feedback

Concluding the mock interview, Bijan provided constructive feedback on Emrick's approach. While Emrick excelled at outlining clarity and methodologies, Bijan encouraged a stronger focus on user journey mapping, separating pain points from solutions, and emphasizing the importance of user engagement as a significant measure of success.

Keywords

  • TikTok
  • Elderly
  • Product design
  • User experience
  • Social impact
  • Pain points
  • User journey
  • Features
  • Solutions
  • Algorithm

FAQ

1. What is the goal of redesigning TikTok for older adults?
The primary goal is to enhance social impact and improve the user experience for older users, making TikTok more accessible and enjoyable.

2. What are some key pain points for elderly users on TikTok?
Elderly users may face challenges with content navigation, interaction, readability of text, and unfamiliarity with social media norms.

3. How can TikTok identify users over 65?
TikTok can identify older users through the signup process where age is requested, or by analyzing user behavior and content preferences.

4. What are some potential solutions for the redesign?
Simplifying the onboarding process, enhancing visual design for accessibility, adjusting the content algorithm, and prioritizing relevant content features tailored to elderly users are some suggested solutions.

5. How important is social impact in the redesign process?
Social impact is crucial as it reflects the brand's commitment to inclusivity and cultural relevance, ultimately contributing to user engagement and satisfaction.

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