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:

1. Product type: SaaS, AI tool, app, Chrome extension
2. Launch readiness: Landing page, screenshots, tagline, first comment
3. 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