Overview
The article discusses the importance of ad metrics quality and testing on mobile platforms at Pinterest. It highlights the transition from manual QA to automated integration tests, the creation of a logging integration test suite, and the challenges faced in ensuring accurate ad display and logging.
What You'll Learn
1
How to implement automated integration tests for ad metrics
2
Why shifting from manual QA to automated testing improves release cycles
3
How to ensure correct ad formats are tested in mobile applications
Prerequisites & Requirements
- Understanding of mobile application testing methodologies
- Familiarity with Buildkite for CI/CD processes(optional)
Key Questions Answered
How does Pinterest ensure the accuracy of ad metrics on mobile?
Pinterest ensures the accuracy of ad metrics by implementing automated integration tests that verify logging behavior against UI actions. This transition from manual QA to automated testing allows for earlier bug detection and more reliable metrics reporting.
What challenges does Pinterest face in testing ad formats?
Pinterest faces challenges in guaranteeing that specific ad formats appear in user feeds for testing. They utilize a tool that inserts promoted Pins at the API level to ensure the correct ads are displayed during tests.
What is the structure of the ad testing process at Pinterest?
The ad testing process at Pinterest involves a base method that performs UI actions and logging checks, with specific test methods for different surfaces in the app. This structured approach allows for comprehensive testing across multiple ad display contexts.
How does Pinterest manage continuous integration for testing?
Pinterest manages continuous integration by running a full test suite nightly and a subset of tests per commit to catch bugs early. They use Buildkite for running tests on remote machines, allowing for parallel execution and efficient resource use.
Technologies & Tools
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Key Actionable Insights
1Implementing automated integration tests can significantly reduce the time spent on manual QA, allowing teams to focus on exploratory testing and new feature validation.This shift not only enhances the efficiency of the testing process but also increases confidence in the software's stability before release.
2Utilize a structured approach for testing across different surfaces in your application to ensure comprehensive coverage and early detection of bugs.By structuring tests logically, teams can easily identify and address issues that may only affect specific areas of the app.
3Adopt CI/CD tools like Buildkite to streamline your testing process and improve the speed of feedback on code changes.This allows developers to continue working on new features while tests run, thus optimizing productivity and reducing bottlenecks.
Common Pitfalls
1
Relying solely on manual QA can lead to late detection of critical bugs, often resulting in rushed fixes just before release deadlines.
This can compromise the quality of the product and erode trust with advertising partners, making it essential to adopt automated testing strategies.
2
Not ensuring that the correct ad formats are tested can lead to inaccurate metrics and poor user experiences.
It's crucial to have mechanisms in place that guarantee specific ads are displayed during testing to validate their performance accurately.