How to Launch on Product Hunt: A Complete Guide

Product Hunt launches can make or break your product’s initial traction. Here’s how to do it right.

Why Product Hunt Matters

Product Hunt is still one of the best platforms for launching tech products, especially AI tools. A successful launch can bring you:

• 1,000+ targeted visitors in the first 24 hours
• 100+ early adopters who are willing to try new tools
• Backlinks and press mentions that boost your SEO
• Feedback from builders who understand your product

The 2-Week Launch Prep

Don’t just wake up and launch. Here’s what to do in the 2 weeks before your launch:

Week -2: Prep Assets

• Write compelling product description (focus on the problem you solve)
• Create demo video (90 seconds max, show the product in action)
• Design thumbnail (first impression matters)
• Gather testimonials from beta users
• Set up analytics to track launch traffic

Week -1: Build Momentum

• Engage with Product Hunt community (upvote, comment on other launches)
• Line up supporters who will upvote in the first hour
• Schedule launch for Tuesday-Thursday (best days statistically)
• Launch at 12:01 AM PST to maximize your 24-hour window

Launch Day Strategy

The first 6 hours determine your ranking for the rest of the day.

Hour 0-1: Critical Window

• Post immediately at 12:01 AM PST
• Get your core supporters to upvote within first 30 minutes
• Respond to every comment within 5 minutes
• Share on Twitter, LinkedIn, and in relevant communities

Hour 1-6: Momentum Building

• Continue engaging with every comment
• Share launch updates on social media
• Message relevant communities and Slack groups
• Keep monitoring your ranking vs. other launches

Hour 6-24: Sustained Push

• Keep responding to comments (this boosts engagement score)
• Post updates if you hit milestones (100 upvotes, top 5, etc.)
• Engage with journalists and bloggers who cover your space

What Actually Matters

After launching 5+ products on Product Hunt, here’s what moves the needle:

1. Comments matter more than upvotes - Engagement score is key
2. Founder presence is huge - Respond to everything, be authentic
3. Timing is everything - Launch when competition is light
4. The first hour sets the tone - Come out strong or you’ll struggle

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Asking for upvotes directly - Product Hunt will flag you
• Not responding to comments - Looks like you don’t care
• Poor product description - People won’t understand what you do
• No demo video - Videos convert 3x better than screenshots alone

Post-Launch: The Real Work Begins

Getting upvotes is nice. Converting visitors to users is what matters.

• Analyze where traffic dropped off
• Follow up with everyone who commented
• Write a launch retrospective (it’s SEO gold)
• Keep the momentum going with regular updates

Ready to Launch?

If you’re building an AI product and need help with the full launch strategy—from product positioning to community outreach—we can help.