Design a Movie and TV Discovery Product That Can Win Users From IMDb

You are asked to design a new product that competes with IMDb, the long-established online database of movies, TV shows and the people who make them. Explain why a newcomer could win users away from it, which users you would go after first and which of their problems you would solve, what the first release would include, and how you would tell whether the product is succeeding. ```hint Find a wedge, not a clone Copying IMDb's catalog title for title is a fight a newcomer loses. Look for a job some of its users need done that a reference database handles poorly, and shape the first version around that job. ``` ### Clarifying Questions - Is this a new standalone company, or a product built by an established company that can draw on assets such as search traffic, a video platform or TV devices? - Is the goal audience growth and engagement first, or a particular business model such as advertising, subscriptions or streaming referral fees? - Must the product match IMDb's full scope (titles, cast and crew credits, trivia, box office, a professional tier), or may I win one slice first? - Is the launch global or in one market, and mobile-first or web-first? ### What a Strong Answer Covers - An honest read of IMDb's strengths (catalog depth, search visibility, a familiar rating) and weaknesses, and a chosen wedge rather than a feature-for-feature copy - Segmentation of the audience (casual viewers choosing what to watch, enthusiasts who log and review, people looking up a fact, industry professionals) with a justified focus and concrete pain points - A prioritized first release, plus a plan for the cold start of catalog data, streaming availability and ratings - A north-star metric tied to the chosen job, supporting metrics, and guardrails such as rating trustworthiness and data accuracy - Risks specific to this market: data licensing, rating manipulation, recommendation neutrality and the incumbent copying the wedge ### Follow-up Questions - How do you make your ratings trustworthy on day one, when IMDb's come from many years of contributions? - A film is hit by a coordinated campaign of one-star ratings before its release. How does your product respond? - Six months after launch, IMDb copies your main feature. Why do your users stay?