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A Brief History of Netflix Personalization
Article

A Brief History of Netflix Personalization

Medium, 2021


Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Overview
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Netflix launched its DVD-by-mail service in 1998, using the Cinematch algorithm and a five-star rating system to connect customers with videos they’d like. Former Netflix VP of Product, Gibson Biddle, explains how Netflix fine-tuned its user data collection and metrics to become a leader in personalization. In the future, Netflix hopes you will only have to turn on your TV to see the movie you want. Biddle’s article on Medium will intrigue developers and leaders looking to boost their data collection and personalization, and viewers who’d like to see how well Netflix understands them – and how it knows.

Take-Aways

  • Netflix’s customers choose the company’s personalized video suggestions most of the time.
  • Netflix invests in original content with right-size investments.

About the Author

Gibson Biddle hosts online events for product leaders. He served as chief product officer at Chegg, senior vice president of product at The Learning Company and VP of product at Netflix.