What if my post doesn't take off?

Most Show HN posts don't hit the front page—that's normal. Even 500-2,000 views from a modest post can bring valuable early adopters. You can try again later with a new version or major update. HN allows re-posts if there's substantial new content.

Should I post code or product?

**Product link is standard for Show HN.** However, if you're open source, include a GitHub link in your first comment. HN loves open source and it often gets more engagement. The product should be live and usable—don't link to a landing page.

How do I handle trolls?

Mostly, ignore them. HN self-moderates through downvotes. If someone makes a legitimate point wrapped in rudeness, respond to the legitimate point and ignore the tone. Kill them with kindness—it often turns critics into supporters.

Can I launch on HN and Product Hunt the same day?

You can, but it's not ideal. You'll split your attention and can't engage fully on both platforms. **Better approach:** Launch on HN first (more technical, harder to game), then Product Hunt a few weeks later with learnings incorporated.

What karma do I need to post?

Anyone can post Show HN with any karma level. However, low-karma accounts are more likely to be flagged or ignored. Aim for 50+ karma from genuine participation before launching.

🚀 Pre-Launch

Hacker News Launch

Use the "Show HN" format to introduce your product to one of the most influential technical audiences on the internet.

8 min read

Last updated: Jan 17, 2026

🧡

"Our Show HN post hit the front page and drove 10,000 visitors in 2 days, 600 signups, and around $60K in lifetime value from 60 paying customers. The technical community feedback was invaluable."

Founder, Reply.io

📅 HN Launch Timeline

Setup Warm-up Outreach

Before

Build HN karma + lurk community

⏱ 2-4 weeks

Day of

Post at optimal time, engage actively

⏱ Full day

Day 1-2

Respond to every comment

⏱ 4-6 hours

After

Follow up with interested users

⏱ 2-3 hours

Before

Build HN karma + lurk community

⏱ 2-4 weeks

Day of

Post at optimal time, engage actively

⏱ Full day

Day 1-2

Respond to every comment

⏱ 4-6 hours

After

Follow up with interested users

⏱ 2-3 hours

Is this for you?

Great fit if...

✓You're building for technical audiences
✓Your product is live and functional
✓You can handle HN-level criticism
✓You have a technical story to tell
✓You're building something novel or interesting

Try something else if...

Your target market isn't technical
You're launching marketing-ware (vaporware)
You can't handle direct/harsh feedback
Your product is generic or unremarkable

Try Product Hunt for broader audiences →

Not the right fit?

If Hacker News Launch doesn't match your situation, consider these alternative tactics that achieve similar goals:

Product Hunt Launch

Launch your product on Product Hunt to reach early adopters and tech enthusiasts.

intermediate•free•immediate

What to expect

200K+

Daily unique visitors to HN

10K+

Visitors from front page (typical)

2M+

Daily pageviews

Quick math: Front page placement can drive 10,000-50,000 visitors. Even posts that don't hit front page can generate 500-2,000 highly targeted technical visitors. The feedback alone is worth it.

Hacker News has a culture—respect it first. Posts from new accounts with zero karma often get flagged or ignored. Build credibility before your launch.

Pre-launch activities