Product strategy call on Google recommending products to shoppers

Google is weighing whether to build a shopping recommendation product. As a product manager, give your recommendation: decide what such a product would actually be, explain why it would or would not be a good move for Google, and say how you would know the call was right. ```hint Define it before you judge it The prompt does not say what gets recommended, to whom, or where it appears. Settle on a concrete version first, then test it against what Google already has, how Google makes money and what could go wrong. ``` ### Clarifying Questions - What kind of product is meant: suggestions in Google's own hardware store, personalized recommendations for shoppers on Google surfaces such as Search, a conversational assistant that suggests products, or a recommendation service sold to retailers? - Which outcome matters most to Google here: ad revenue, merchant adoption, shoppers' trust in results, or sales of Google's own devices? - Is there a market or time horizon in mind, or should I choose one? ### What a Strong Answer Covers - A concrete version of the product chosen from the plausible readings, with the reason for the choice - The opportunity weighed against Google's existing assets, competitors and business model - The risks to user trust, merchant relationships, regulatory standing and existing revenue, set against the upside - A clear recommendation, with the evidence that would change it - How success would be measured and how the idea would be tested before a full build ### Follow-up Questions - What finding would make you recommend against building it? - If recommendations and paid shopping ads appear side by side, how would you keep shoppers' trust? - What is the smallest experiment that would show the idea is worth pursuing?