// Avoid shadow bans and penalties on Product Hunt. Use this skill to understand platform rules, identify risky behaviors, and ensure your launch practices are fully compliant.
| name | ph-ban-prevention |
| description | Avoid shadow bans and penalties on Product Hunt. Use this skill to understand platform rules, identify risky behaviors, and ensure your launch practices are fully compliant. |
This skill helps you understand and avoid behaviors that could get your product unfeatured, votes removed, or your account banned on Product Hunt.
Absolutely Forbidden:
What Happens:
Forbidden:
What's Allowed:
Forbidden in Any Communication:
What's Allowed:
Suspicious Patterns:
What's Allowed:
Forbidden:
What's Allowed:
Forbidden:
Product Hunt's algorithm looks for:
Account Quality:
Vote Patterns:
Engagement Authenticity:
Moderators also check for:
High Risk (Don't Do):
Medium Risk (Be Careful):
Low Risk (But Stay Alert):
Watch For:
Email Best Practices:
✓ DO: Send to segmented lists in waves
✓ DO: Personalize messages
✓ DO: Ask for "support" or "feedback"
✓ DO: Respect unsubscribes
✗ DON'T: Send to purchased lists
✗ DON'T: Use same message for everyone
✗ DON'T: Ask for "upvotes"
✗ DON'T: Spam non-subscribers
Social Media Best Practices:
✓ DO: Share authentically
✓ DO: Spread posts throughout day
✓ DO: Engage with responses
✓ DO: Thank supporters
✗ DON'T: Post same link repeatedly
✗ DON'T: Use engagement pods
✗ DON'T: Ask for votes publicly
✗ DON'T: Spam hashtags
Do:
Don't:
Instead of: "Please upvote our product!" Say: "We just launched — would love your feedback!"
Instead of: "Every vote counts!" Say: "Your support means a lot to us."
Instead of: "Help us reach #1!" Say: "Check it out and let us know what you think."
Instead of: "Vote to win a prize" Say: "PH community gets 20% off (no vote required)"
Don't:
Do:
Steps:
Steps:
Outreach Materials:
Supporter Briefing:
Technical:
Keep records of:
COMPLIANCE CHECK FOR: [Product Name]
RISK ASSESSMENT:
High-Risk Behaviors:
☐ [Behavior] - [Status: Clear/At Risk/Violation]
Medium-Risk Behaviors:
☐ [Behavior] - [Status]
OUTREACH REVIEW:
Email template: [Compliant/Needs revision]
Social posts: [Compliant/Needs revision]
Supporter briefing: [Complete/Incomplete]
RECOMMENDED CHANGES:
1. [Specific change needed]
2. [Specific change needed]
OVERALL STATUS: [Ready / Needs Work / High Risk]
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