Hey hey,
Another week, another tough product decision to break down.
Last time, we broke down YouTube’s ad strategy and how it affects user experience. The comment section was 🔥 — don’t miss it!
This week, we are diving into a move that’s got Netflix users split.
Netflix’s crackdown on password sharing
Netflix has always been about convenience - no ads, a massive content library, and unlimited streaming. At one point, they even encouraged password sharing.
(Yes, they literally tweeted “Love is sharing a password” back in 2017.)
That helped them grow.
More people watching meant more brand loyalty and, eventually, more subscribers.
The goal was only to get more people hooked on Netflix back then.
Even if some users weren’t paying, they were still watching. Netflix believed they might subscribe in the future.
Fast forward to today.
Things have changed.
Share this with someone who binge-watches Netflix series or can debate about the crackdown on password sharing.
Here's What We Know
Password sharing is no longer free. Netflix now charges extra for accounts used in multiple locations.
They’re using technology to detect shared logins. No more casual sharing across different households.
Some users are paying up, but others are leaving. The long-term impact is still uncertain.
Think Like A PM
Why do you think Netflix is going down this path so aggressively?
If you were leading this initiative, how would you define success?
What other approaches could you have explored instead of limiting sharing?
Drop your thoughts in the comments — what would you do if you were the PM?
Thoughts From The JAPM Team
YouTube’s ad strategy isn’t just about adding more ads — it’s a balancing act between revenue and user experience.
Too many ads can push users to quit or use blockers. Too few, and revenue drops. The key? Optimise based on content length, user behavior, and engagement signals.
Short videos need fewer ads. Longer ones can handle more. A mix of skippable, unskippable, and display ads can smooth the experience.
Instead of flooding users, YouTube could explore:
User choice (e.g., one long ad vs. multiple short ones)
Smarter placement (at natural pauses)
Reward-based viewing (watch an ad, get ad-free time)
More relevant targeting
Bottom line: More ads ≠ better monetization. Smart, user-friendly ads do the trick.
See you in the comments ——Sid