| name | product-hunt-launch |
| description | Product Hunt launch optimization with specific specs, timing, and gallery strategy. Covers taglines, gallery images, maker comments, and launch day tactics. Use for: product launches, startup launches, side project launches, Product Hunt optimization. Triggers: product hunt, ph launch, product hunt launch, launch strategy, product launch, startup launch, product hunt tips, product hunt gallery, ph optimization, launch day, product hunt maker |
Product Hunt Launch
Workspace Context
Read bootstrap context before asking questions: strategy/brand.md for brand, audience, offer, channels, tools, constraints, and metrics; about/me.md for personal voice; content/ideas.md and content/calendar.md for content planning. Use legacy product-marketing context files only as fallback. Save generated drafts to content/<platform>/drafts/YYYY-MM-DD_short-topic-slug.md, and route durable learnings back to strategy/brand.md, about/me.md, or content/ideas.md.
Operating Contract
This skill is self-contained for its frontmatter scope: use its local instructions, references, scripts, and assets as the playbook; ask only for missing task-specific inputs; hand off to adjacent skills instead of expanding scope; and return an actionable artifact, decision, plan, draft, or diagnostic.
Optimize your Product Hunt launch with research and visuals.
Listing Specifications
| Element | Spec | Notes |
|---|
| Product name | — | Keep it short, memorable |
| Tagline | 60 character limit | No period at end |
| Description | First 260 chars show in preview | Full description can be longer |
| Gallery images | Up to 8 images | 1270 x 760 px recommended |
| Topics | Max 3 | Pick the most specific ones |
| Makers | Tag all team members | They can engage in comments |
| Link | Product URL | Where upvoters go |
Gallery Images
The First Image Is Everything
The first gallery image shows in the feed, email digest, and social shares. It IS your first impression.
| Position | Content | Goal |
|---|
| 1 (Hero) | Product in action, core value visible | Stop the scroll, communicate what it does |
| 2 | Key feature demonstration | Show the "aha moment" |
| 3 | Before/after or problem/solution | Show the transformation |
| 4 | Social proof or metrics | Build credibility |
| 5 | Technical differentiator or integrations | For evaluators |
Dimensions
- Recommended: 1270 x 760 px (16:9 ish)
- Minimum: 600px wide
- Supports GIF for animated demos
Generating Gallery Images
Use your preferred image generation tool to create gallery images matching these specs:
Image 1: Hero product shot
- Prompt: "modern SaaS product showcase, clean dashboard interface floating above gradient background, UI showing analytics charts and metrics, professional product marketing style, soft shadows, blue and white color scheme, wide format"
- Dimensions: 1248 x 832 px
Image 2: Feature demo
- Prompt: "product feature showcase, split screen showing drag-and-drop interface on left and generated output on right, clean UI design, modern SaaS aesthetic, subtle grid background, professional marketing"
- Dimensions: 1248 x 832 px
Image 3: Before/after
- Create a side-by-side comparison showing the problem state and solution state
- Use design tools like Figma or image editing software
Image 4: Social proof / metrics
- Prompt: "clean infographic style image showing upward growth metrics, large numbers and charts on dark background, professional data visualization, startup metrics dashboard style, modern minimal design"
- Dimensions: 1248 x 832 px
Recommended tools: Midjourney, DALL-E, Figma, Adobe Express, or your preferred design/image generation platform.
Tagline
60 characters. No period. Must communicate what the product does AND why someone should care.
Formulas That Work
| Formula | Example |
|---|
| [Action] for [audience] | "AI writing assistant for developers" |
| [Result] without [pain] | "Beautiful docs without the design skills" |
| [Tool] that [benefit] | "Analytics that explain themselves" |
| [Adjective] [category] | "Instant customer feedback surveys" |
| The [category] for [niche] | "The Figma for data visualization" |
Examples
❌ "The best project management tool ever created" (superlative, 52 chars)
❌ "We help you manage projects better." (vague, has period, 37 chars)
❌ "AI-powered machine learning project management SaaS" (buzzword soup)
✅ "Ship docs in minutes, not days" (31 chars)
✅ "AI turns your data into stories" (32 chars)
✅ "The open-source Calendly alternative" (37 chars)
Timing
When to Launch
| Factor | Recommendation |
|---|
| Day | Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday (highest traffic) |
| Time | 12:01 AM PT (Pacific Time) — start of the PH day |
| Avoid | Weekends, holidays, major Apple/Google events |
| Duration | PH day = midnight PT to midnight PT |
Why 12:01 AM PT
- Maximum time in the running for daily top spot
- Accumulate upvotes throughout the full day
- Morning email digest (US time) includes your product
- Allows engagement across all US time zones
Maker Comment
Post within 5 minutes of going live. This is your pitch.
Structure
Hey Product Hunt! 👋
[1 sentence: what it is]
[2-3 sentences: why you built it / the problem you noticed]
[1-2 sentences: how it works / key differentiator]
[1 sentence: what's next / what you're looking for]
Would love to hear your thoughts — happy to answer any questions!
Example
Hey Product Hunt!
DataFlow turns raw SQL queries into visual dashboards in seconds.
As a data engineer, I was frustrated spending more time formatting
reports than actually analyzing data. Every BI tool I tried required
a PhD in their configuration. So I built DataFlow — paste your SQL,
get a dashboard.
It auto-detects chart types, handles large datasets, and exports
to PDF/PNG with one click.
We're offering 50% off the first year for PH users. Would love
your feedback — what reporting pain points do you have?
Launch Day Playbook
Before Launch (1-2 weeks)
Launch Day Timeline
| Time (PT) | Action |
|---|
| 12:01 AM | Product goes live, post maker comment immediately |
| 12:15 AM | Share on personal social media |
| 6:00 AM | First engagement check — reply to all comments |
| 9:00 AM | Share in relevant communities (naturally, not spammy) |
| 12:00 PM | Mid-day check — reply to all new comments |
| 3:00 PM | Share any early traction or interesting feedback |
| 6:00 PM | Evening engagement — reply to remaining comments |
| 11:59 PM | Day ends — results are final |
Engagement Rules
- Reply to every comment — makers who engage get more visibility
- Ask questions back — creates conversation threads
- Be genuine — don't use canned responses
- Never ask for upvotes — against PH terms of service
- Share the link naturally — "Check it out at [url]" not "Please upvote"
Research for Preparation
Research competitor launches and community sentiment using web search tools:
- Study similar product launches on Product Hunt
- Analyze the competitive landscape for your category
- Review community sentiment and maker advice from recent launches
- Look for patterns in what works and what doesn't
Post-Launch
| When | Action |
|---|
| Day 1-3 | Reply to all remaining comments, thank supporters |
| Week 1 | Publish a "lessons learned" blog post / Twitter thread |
| Week 2 | Follow up with interested users from comments |
| Month 1 | Check if you're eligible for "Product of the Week/Month" |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Problem | Fix |
|---|
| Launching on Friday/weekend | Low traffic, wasted launch | Tue-Thu only |
| Launching at noon | Half the day already gone | 12:01 AM PT |
| No maker comment | Looks abandoned | Post within 5 minutes |
| Asking for upvotes | Against TOS, can get flagged | Share naturally, let product speak |
| Generic gallery images | Doesn't show the product | Show real UI, real features |
| Not replying to comments | Low engagement signal | Reply to every single comment |
| Too many topics | Dilutes discoverability | Max 3, pick the most specific |
| Tagline with buzzwords | Nobody knows what you do | Clear, specific, benefit-focused |
