Windows Start Menu Personalization & A/B Testing

Leveraged comprehensive user data analysis to drive personalized experiences and measurable engagement improvements through strategic A/B experimentation.

The Experiments

Data-Driven Personalization Initiative

Regional Analysis

Analyzed geographic user patterns to identify location-specific app preferences and usage behaviors across global markets.

Device Intelligence

Examined device types, specifications, and user-declared intent from onboarding to create targeted recommendation strategies.

Usage Patterns

Deep-dived into app usage frequency, daily activity cycles, and engagement patterns to build comprehensive user profiles.

Over several months, I led a comprehensive analysis of user signals including region, device characteristics, onboarding intent, app usage patterns, and daily activity rhythms. This data mining effort enabled us to identify meaningful patterns that would inform personalized app recommendation campaigns directly within the Windows Start menu.

The project culminated in designing and executing multiple A/B experiments to optimize click-through rates and user engagement, with successful campaigns being scaled to retail audiences across Windows devices globally.

Experiment Goals & Success Metrics

Primary & Secondary Objectives

Our goal structure followed a clear hierarchy, focusing on Windows Daily Active Devices (WDAD) as the north star metric while tracking supporting indicators that would provide deeper insight into user behavior and platform health.

The diversification goal ensured we weren't just optimizing for one app, but genuinely expanding the Windows app ecosystem engagement across our user base.

1

Primary: WDAD Growth

Targeted percentage increase in Windows Daily Active Devices, measuring overall platform engagement improvement.

2

Secondary: Launch Metrics

Track number of app instances launched from Start menu.

3

Diversification: App Ecosystem

Achieve +1 app increase in the number of Windows Active Apps, expanding user engagement breadth.

Installed App Re-engagement Experiments

1

Problem Identification

Help users rediscover previously installed apps that have fallen into disuse, particularly region-specific popular applications.

2

Strategic Hypothesis

If we recommend (x app) to users in (y region), Then we will see x% increase in WDAD (Windows Daily Active Devices), Because users will find a relevant app they had previously installed right at their fingertips.

Experiment Design & Methodology

Precise Targeting

Existing devices with specific app installed, haven't launched the app in 28 days, located in specific region.

Technical Implementation

Utilized internal targeting system combined with internal experiment framework to ensure precise user segmentation and reliable scorecards.

Control vs. Treatment

Implemented experimental design with control group receiving standard experience and treatment group seeing personalized recommendations.

New App Discovery Experiments

1

Problem Identification

Help users discover new apps that they might like based on users similar to them.

2

Strategic Hypothesis

If we recommend (x app) to users (given a specific criteria), Then we will see x% increase in WAA (Windows Active Apps), Because other users (with a similar criteria) are highly engaged with (x app), we will help users find a new and relevant app.

Experiment Design & Methodology

Precise Targeting

  • Existing devices without specific app installed
  • A combination of region, app usage patterns, age group, subscriptions, device data, etc. based on pattern analysis

Technical Implementation

Utilized internal targeting system combined with internal experiment framework to ensure precise user segmentation and reliable scorecards.

Control vs. Treatment

Implemented experimental design with control group receiving standard experience and treatment group seeing personalized recommendations.

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