How Meta made me a big-time A/B testing advocate

The narrative describes the author's journey of understanding the significance of A/B testing through experiences at Facebook, particularly with the Marketplace initiative. Initially enthusiastic about incorporating e-commerce into Marketplace, the author recounts a significant failure revealed by an A/B test, which showed a decline in key metrics following a major launch. This led to questioning whether the failure was due to the idea itself or its execution. A subsequent experiment using image background variations provided critical insights, revealing that Marketplace users were more interested in finding deals than engaging with traditional e-commerce products. This experiment demonstrated the power of A/B testing in guiding strategic decisions and settling debates, ultimately refocusing efforts on local listings with successful results. Through this process, the author gained a deeper appreciation for data-driven decision-making, highlighting how A/B testing can effectively challenge assumptions and redirect strategies.