Why Leetcode Is So Popular

Why Big Tech Loves Leetcode

Ever wondered why coding interviews at companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook revolve around algorithm puzzles on Leetcode? It’s not because software engineers spend their days solving binary tree problems—it’s because these companies face an overwhelming number of applicants.

Even after filtering out the underqualified, hundreds (if not thousands) of candidates remain for every single job opening. The challenge? Quickly identifying top-tier talent without spending hours on each applicant.

Leetcode serves this purpose well. In a short 45-minute session, an interviewer can evaluate your ability to write clean, efficient code, debug problems, and communicate your thought process—all key indicators of engineering competence.

But why are the problems often harder than the tasks you'd face on the job? That’s intentional. When the applicant pool is massive, false negatives (good candidates being filtered out) are more acceptable than false positives (hiring unqualified engineers).

And while critics argue that Leetcode doesn’t reflect real-world work, it does test universally useful skills: logical reasoning, code clarity, problem-solving, and communication.

Why Leetcode Isn't as Bad as You Think

If not Leetcode, then what? Here are some alternatives companies might consider:

1. Practical Coding Projects: Debugging or implementing a feature in an existing codebase feels more job-relevant. But designing these scenarios for every applicant would require significant time and resources.
2. Work Trials or Portfolio Reviews: Reviewing a candidate’s past projects or giving them trial tasks provides strong signals—but they’re incredibly time-consuming for both sides.
3. References from Past Employers: While helpful, references are often biased, inconsistent, or even fabricated.

In short, while these alternatives sound great in theory, they don’t scale well.

Leetcode, on the other hand, offers a scalable, meritocratic path into big tech. Regardless of your degree, background, or connections, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to master Leetcode, you stand a chance at landing a job. That’s empowering.

Change Is Happening (Slowly)

The good news? Not every company leans heavily on Leetcode-style interviews.

Many mid-sized tech firms—like Figma and Stripe—are experimenting with more practical interview questions. A friend of mine recently went through these interviews and found his Leetcode preparation still gave him an edge.

For those who dislike algorithm-heavy interviews, smaller companies are a great alternative.

Final Thoughts

Leetcode isn’t perfect—but for massive companies, it’s one of the few tools that balances fairness, scalability, and efficiency in hiring.

If you’re aiming for a job at a big tech company, mastering Leetcode is almost non-negotiable. But if it’s not your style, plenty of other opportunities exist in smaller, innovative companies.

At the end of the day, hiring processes are complex and evolving.

What are your thoughts? Have you come across a better interview process? Share your experiences—I’d love to hear them!