Channels: Product Hunt Launch

Guides preparing and executing a Product Hunt launch. Product Hunt is a community-driven product discovery platform; only ~10% of submissions get featured on the homepage. Best for SaaS, developer tools, AI/ML products, and productivity software. Physical products and service businesses have limited success.

When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

Initial Assessment

Read project context first: If .claude/project-context.md or .cursor/project-context.md exists, use Sections 1–4, 5, 6, 8, 9 for submission content.

Identify:

• Product type: SaaS, AI tool, app, Chrome extension

• Launch readiness: Landing page, screenshots, tagline, first comment

• Hunter: Self-hunt or Top Hunter (optional but helps)

30-Day Preparation Plan

Phase Days Actions

Teaser 30–21 Build "notify me" page; decide self-hunt vs hunter; engage in community

Supporters 20–11 Build list of 200+ (makers, industry contacts, followers, users)

Assets 10–3 Finalize tagline (≤60 chars), gallery images (1270×760), demo video (<2 min), maker comment, 3–5 topic tags; build awareness on X/LinkedIn 2–4 weeks before

Launch day 2–1 Clear calendar for 16+ hours; Product Hunt runs midnight–midnight Pacific

Product Hunt Fields

Field Spec

Tagline ≤60 chars; no emojis unless part of product name; catchy, benefit-focused

Gallery 1270×760 px recommended; readable, show product value

Demo video <2 minutes; optional but recommended

First comment Post immediately; story-driven, not feature list; significantly impacts engagement

Topic tags 3–5 relevant; match Product Hunt taxonomy

Launch Day Strategy

Practice Guideline

Timing Tuesday–Thursday; 12:01am Pacific works best

Narrative Create story (problem → solution), not feature list

Engagement Reply to every comment; thank supporters; answer questions

Avoid Begging for upvotes (risk of shadowban)

Principle: Product Hunt is a visibility amplifier and credibility boost—not primarily a customer acquisition channel.

Realistic Expectations

Outcome Upvotes Placement

Poor 50–100 —

Average 200–400 Top 10

Good 500–800 Top 5

Great 800+ Product of the Day

Beyond Listing

Offering Use When

Product Hunt Daily Newsletter feature; high-intent audience

Social promotion PH shares on X, LinkedIn; launch-day amplification

Featured placement Paid promotion options

Post-Launch

• Continue engaging with new users

• Thank-you emails to supporters

• Ask for feedback

• See directory-submission for other directories; cold-start-strategy for full launch plan

Output Format

• Readiness checklist (tagline, gallery, first comment, topic tags)

• First comment draft (story-driven)

• Tagline options (≤60 chars)

• 30-day timeline (if planning ahead)

Related Skills

• directory-submission: Taaft, G2, curated lists; Product Hunt is one directory—see for multi-platform submission

• cold-start-strategy: Full launch plan; Product Hunt as channel

• indie-hacker-strategy: Indie hacker Product Hunt, first 100 users

• media-kit-page-generator: Press kit, screenshots for launch

• analytics-tracking: UTM for Product Hunt traffic attribution