1822503 - The frequency cap for the Sponsored tile via Pocket is reset at each browser restart

Status: VERIFIED FIXED

(Firefox :: New Tab Page, defect)

Description

[Carmen Fat [:cfat] - Ecosystem QA]

[Affected versions]:

• Firefox Nightly 113.0a1 - Build ID: 20230314161405
• Firefox Beta 112.0b2 - Build ID: 20230314181505

[Affected Platforms]:

• Windows 10 x64
• macOS 12.4
• Linux Ubuntu 20.04 x64

[Prerequisites]:

• Have a VPN client connected to an US server (for people located outside US).
• Have the nimbus.debug pref set to true.

[Steps to reproduce]:

1. Open the browser from the prerequisites.
2. Copy and paste the following link in a new tab:
   about:studies?optin_slug=showing-3rd-sponsored-tile-on-the-newtab-page&optin_branch=treatment&optin_collection=nimbus-preview
3. Open 11 new tabs in order to reach the 10 impressions per day frequency cap.
4. Restart the browser.
5. Open a new tab and observe the Sponsored tiles.

[Expected result]:

• Only the Sponsored tiles via adM are displayed.

[Actual result]:

• The Sponsored tile via Pocket (third spot) is displayed beside the ones via adM.

[Notes]:

• This behavior is reproducible with each browser restart.
• Here is a screen recording of the issue.

Comment 1

[Scott [:thecount] Downe]

Attachment: Bug 1822503 - Pocket newtab fixing startup reset from happening during experiment load.

Comment 2

[Pulsebot]

Pushed by [e-mail]:
https://hg.mozilla.org/integration/autoland/rev/40e2118efe1e
Pocket newtab fixing startup reset from happening during experiment load. r=nanj,mconley,barret

Comment 3

[Marian-Vasile Laza]

https://hg.mozilla.org/mozilla-central/rev/40e2118efe1e

Comment 4

[BugBot [:suhaib / :marco]]

The patch landed in nightly and beta is affected.
:thecount, is this bug important enough to require an uplift?

• If yes, please nominate the patch for beta approval.
• If no, please set status-firefox112 to wontfix.

For more information, please visit auto_nag documentation.

Comment 5

[Nan Jiang [:nanj]]

[Tracking Requested - why for this release]: This bugfix is required for the 3rd sponsored tile experiment in Firefox 102.

Comment 6

[Nan Jiang [:nanj]]

Comment on attachment 9324532 [details]
Bug 1822503 - Pocket newtab fixing startup reset from happening during experiment load.

Beta/Release Uplift Approval Request

• User impact if declined: The Pocket impression capping functionality of sponsored tiles might not work as expected for the experiment users.
• Is this code covered by automated tests?: Yes
• Has the fix been verified in Nightly?: Yes
• Needs manual test from QE?: No
• If yes, steps to reproduce:
• List of other uplifts needed: None
• Risk to taking this patch: Low
• Why is the change risky/not risky? (and alternatives if risky): This patch would only apply to some experiment users, we can turn off the experiment through Nimbus if needed.
• String changes made/needed: None
• Is Android affected?: No

Comment 7

[Dianna Smith [:diannaS]]

Comment on attachment 9324532 [details]
Bug 1822503 - Pocket newtab fixing startup reset from happening during experiment load.

Approved for 112.0b6

Comment 8

[Carmen Fat [:cfat] - Ecosystem QA]

I have verified this issue on the latest Firefox Nightly 113.0a1 (Build ID: 20230323094537), on Windows 10 x64, macOS 12.6.1, and Ubuntu 20.04 x64.

• The frequency cap for the Sponsored tile via Pocket is no longer reset at each browser restart
• The Sponsored tile via Pocket is dismissed at the 10th impression and is no more displayed in new tabs and new browsing sessions.

Comment 9

[Dianna Smith [:diannaS]]

https://hg.mozilla.org/releases/mozilla-beta/rev/9104c06105b8

Comment 10

[Carmen Fat [:cfat] - Ecosystem QA]

I have verified this issue on the latest Firefox Beta 112.0b6 (Build ID: 20230323181038), on Windows 10 x64, macOS 12.6.1, and Ubuntu 20.04 x64.

• The frequency cap for the Sponsored tile via Pocket is no longer reset at each browser restart
• The Sponsored tile via Pocket is dismissed at the 10th impression and is no more displayed in new tabs and new browsing sessions.