A Product Hunt launch is a public post on Product Hunt, usually scheduled so it is live at the start of the day in Pacific Time. People comment and upvote. You get a ranking for that day and a page that can keep getting visits. The checklist below is the prep. Confirm the current scheduling rules on Product Hunt before you pick a date, because the product changes.
The week before
- The product opens. Signup, billing and the core action work for a stranger.
- The landing page states who it is for in the first screen. Hunter and maker profiles are filled in.
- Gallery: a thumbnail that reads at small size, and images or a short video of the product, not a logo on a gradient.
- The first comment is drafted in your voice. What it does, who it is for, what you want feedback on. Post it as soon as you are live.
- A short list of people who asked to be told. Email them when the post is up. Do not send a script that says “upvote.”
Launch day
- Confirm the post is the one you think it is: name, link, gallery, tagline.
- Publish the first comment.
- Answer questions in the thread. The thread is the launch. The ranking is a side effect.
- Watch the signup path. If people bounce, fix the page while the traffic is there.
- Do not buy votes or coordinate fake accounts. It is against Product Hunt's rules and it is obvious in a small thread.
The week after
Write down the questions people asked. Turn the repeated ones into a page on your site or a clearer headline. The Product Hunt page will not rank for your buyer's problem forever. Your site has to. Keep a listing that is not tied to one day, on FoundrList or another directory, and read where to launch if Hunt is the only channel you prepared.
The broader SaaS product launch checklist covers the product work around this day. Product Hunt alternatives is the piece to read if your buyers are not the Hunt audience.
What a Product Hunt launch is
A Product Hunt launch is a public post, usually scheduled so it is live at the start of the day in Pacific Time. People comment and upvote. You get a ranking for that day and a page that can keep getting visits. The day boundary and the scheduling rules change. Confirm them on Product Hunt's help center the week you launch. Do not copy a time from an old tweet.
The checklist, in order
The week before
- Signup, billing, and the core action work for a stranger.
- The first screen says who it is for.
- Maker profile is filled in. A hunter is optional. A hunter who does not know the product does not help the thread.
- Thumbnail reads at small size. Images or a short video show the product.
- The first comment is drafted: what it does, who it is for, what you want feedback on.
- A short list of people who asked to be told. You will email them when the post is up. You will not send a script that says upvote.
Launch day
- Confirm the name, link, gallery, and tagline.
- Publish the first comment as soon as you are live.
- Answer the thread. The thread is the launch. The ranking is a side effect.
- Watch the signup path and fix the page while the traffic is there.
- Do not buy votes or coordinate fake accounts.
The week after
Write down the questions. Turn the repeated ones into a page on your site or a clearer headline. The Product Hunt page will not rank for your buyer's problem forever. Your site has to. Keep a listing that is not tied to one day. Where to launch is the wider set. The SaaS product launch checklist covers the product work around this day. Product Hunt alternatives is the piece to read if your buyers are not the Hunt audience.
A ranking outside the top five is still a set of comments, signups, and a public page. Use them. The ranking is not the only outcome that counts.
Questions people ask
What time does Product Hunt launch?
The day resets on Pacific Time. Check Product Hunt's current help docs for how scheduling works the week you launch. Do not copy a time from an old tweet.
Do I need a hunter?
You can launch as the maker. A hunter is optional social proof, not a requirement, and a hunter who does not know the product does not help the thread.
What if we do not finish in the top five?
You still have the comments, the signups, and a public page. Use them. A ranking is not the only outcome that counts.
What time does a Product Hunt launch go live?
The day resets on Pacific Time. Check Product Hunt's current help docs for scheduling the week you launch. An old blog's clock time goes stale.
Do I need a hunter to launch on Product Hunt?
No. You can launch as the maker. A hunter is optional social proof, not a requirement.
