// 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.
Set up analytics tracking for your Product Hunt launch. Use this skill to configure tracking tools, create dashboards, and ensure you capture all important launch metrics.
Track and optimize conversions from your Product Hunt launch. Use this skill to measure signup rates, identify drop-offs, and calculate the true ROI of your launch.
Strategy for Product Hunt Golden Kitty Awards. Use this skill to understand award categories, prepare nominations, and maximize your chances of winning annual recognition.
Get featured in Product Hunt newsletters. Use this skill to understand newsletter criteria, craft effective pitches, and maximize visibility through PH editorial coverage.
Understand how the Product Hunt ranking algorithm works. Use this skill to optimize your launch strategy based on known algorithm factors and behaviors.
Write Product Hunt compliant messages and requests. Use this skill to craft outreach, social posts, and supporter communications that follow community guidelines and avoid penalties.
| 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]