How to Launch on Product Hunt: The 2026
Checklist & Playbook
A good Product Hunt launch needs a product people can use that day, an account with some history and people ready to visit from 12:01 a.m. Pacific. This free checklist puts every task in order.
Free, no signup
- Pre-launch7 tasks
- Getting Started4 tasks
- Preparing for PH Launch12 tasks
- Before Launch8 tasks
- On Launch Day6 tasks
- Days after Launch6 tasks
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At a glance
Updated
- Cost
- Launching a product on Product Hunt is free.
- When the day starts
- Product Hunt's homepage day runs from midnight to midnight Pacific time, so a launch at 12:01 a.m. Pacific gets the whole day.
- Scheduling
- A Product Hunt launch can be scheduled up to one month ahead.
- Gallery images
- Product Hunt recommends 1270 by 760 pixels, and a gallery shows once it has two images.
- The homepage
- Product Hunt's own team chooses which launches are featured, and a waitlist with no way in is not one of them.
- Upvotes
- Asking people to upvote is against Product Hunt rules. Asking for feedback is fine.
Sources:Product Hunt: Launch guideProduct Hunt: Preparing for launchProduct Hunt: Featuring guidelinesProduct Hunt: Sharing your launch
Pre-launch
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Brainstorm the idea of your startup and build an MVP or prototype.
Identify a problem to solve or a need to fulfill
High priorityThe first step in creating a successful product is to identify a problem that needs to be solved or a need that needs to be fulfilled. This can be done by brainstorming with your team, friends, and family, or by conducting market research. Once you have identified a problem or need, you need to understand the pain points that people are experiencing. What are the challenges that they are facing? What are the frustrations that they are dealing with? The more you understand about the problem or need, the better equipped you will be to create a solution that people will love.
Read moreFrom the phase Pre-launch.Brainstorm and research potential solutions
High priorityOnce you have identified a problem or need, you need to brainstorm and research potential solutions. This will help you to narrow down your options and to choose the best solution for your target market. When brainstorming solutions, be sure to think outside the box and to come up with ideas that are both creative and feasible.
Read moreFrom the phase Pre-launch.Start a waitlist with LaunchList to validate your idea
MediumIn LaunchListOnce you have a prototype or MVP of your product, you can start validating your idea with potential users and customers. One way to do this is to start a waitlist with LaunchList, pre-launch waitlist software that collects the emails of people interested in your product. It is a good way to get feedback from potential users and customers and to gauge interest in your product before you launch it on Product Hunt.
In LaunchListOn every planA waitlist page we host, or a form on your own site, collects them, and everyone who joins gets a referral link of their own to pass on.
Read moreFrom the phase Pre-launch.Create a minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype
High priorityOnce you have validated your idea, you can start building your product. You should create a minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype to test your idea with potential users and customers. An MVP is a product with just enough features to be usable and to test the market. A prototype is a working model of your product that can be used to test the design and functionality.
Read moreFrom the phase Pre-launch.Test your product with potential users or customers
High priorityOnce you have created your MVP or prototype, you should test and validate your product with potential users and customers. This will help you understand if your product solves a real problem and if people are willing to pay for it. There are a number of ways to test your product, including surveys, interviews, and usability testing.
From the phase Pre-launch.Refine and improve your product based on feedback
High priorityNow that you have tested and validated your product with potential users and customers, you should refine and improve your product based on their feedback. This will help you to create a product that is truly user-friendly and that people will love.
From the phase Pre-launch.Get ready for launch on Product Hunt
High priorityOnce you have refined and improved your product, you are ready to launch it on Product Hunt.
From the phase Pre-launch.
Getting Started
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Begin by creating a Product Hunt account and setting up your profile.
Set up your Product Hunt account
High priorityThis is the first step to launch your product on Product Hunt. Create an account with your email or a social login and verify it. Sign up as yourself: company accounts are not allowed, and a new account waits a week before it can post a product, so Product Hunt suggests joining three months or more before you launch.
From the phase Getting Started.Add awesome description to your account
MediumThis is where you introduce yourself and your product to the Product Hunt community. You should write a short and catchy description that highlights your skills, experience, and passion.
From the phase Getting Started.Add relevant contact links to your account [Twitter and website]
LowProvide more information and ways to connect with you and your product. You should add links to your Twitter and website, as well as any other platforms where you have a presence.
From the phase Getting Started.If you're starting up, engage with the community
MediumEngage with the Product Hunt community by commenting on other launches and answering questions. Be friendly and open to feedback, as it can help you improve your product. Product Hunt warns that launch day is not the time to start posting in communities you have not taken part in before.
From the phase Getting Started.
Preparing for PH Launch
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Get ready for your Product Hunt launch by creating a page for your product.
Make sure your product website/app is ready to go with a clear value proposition and a call to action
High priorityEnsure that your product's website or app is fully prepared for launch. It should have a clear and compelling value proposition that communicates the benefits of your product to potential users. Additionally, include a strong call to action that prompts visitors to take the desired action, such as signing up or purchasing your product.
Read moreFrom the phase Preparing for PH Launch.Write an enticing title that summarizes what your product is and does
High priorityCraft a captivating title that effectively summarizes the essence and functionality of your product. The title should grab attention and convey the primary purpose or unique selling point of your product to attract potential users.
From the phase Preparing for PH Launch.Write a detailed description that explains the problem you are solving, how your product works, and what makes it unique
MediumProvide a comprehensive and informative description of your product. Clearly articulate the problem your product solves, describe how it works, and highlight its distinctive features and advantages. This description should effectively communicate the value proposition of your product to potential users.
Read moreFrom the phase Preparing for PH Launch.Create a GIF or logo that stands out from the crowd
High priorityDesign an eye-catching GIF or logo that stands out and grabs attention, so your product is memorable and distinct from other products. It is best to use an image with square dimensions; Product Hunt recommends 240x240. You can use a GIF for your thumbnail, but it will need to be under 3MB and not too flashy. GIFs do not autoplay: they animate on hover, so the first frame matters most. GIFs with strobing effects, quick cuts or unreadable text are not recommended and may be edited by the Product Hunt team.
From the phase Preparing for PH Launch.Create your product images and videos that showcase your product's features and benefits
High priorityDevelop clear images and videos that showcase the features and benefits of your product. These visual assets should highlight key functionality and show how your product solves real problems. The recommended size for images in the gallery is 1270x760, and the gallery shows on your post once it has two or more images. Videos are optional, and Product Hunt takes YouTube links only.
From the phase Preparing for PH Launch.Select carefully the topics that best describe your product and target audience
MediumChoose relevant and accurate topics that align with your product and target audience. They decide where your product is listed, so pick the ones that best represent it. Product Hunt now calls them launch tags and lets you choose up to three.
Read moreFrom the phase Preparing for PH Launch.Add relevant links to your website, social media, app store, etc.
High priorityInclude appropriate links to your product's website, social media profiles, app store pages, and other relevant online platforms. These links will enable users to easily access more information about your product and engage with your brand across different channels.
From the phase Preparing for PH Launch.Create promo codes if you want to offer discounts or free trials to Product Hunt users
LowIf you wish to provide special offers, such as discounts or free trials, to Product Hunt users, generate promo codes for them. Product Hunt's launch form takes the offer, the code and an expiration date, and you can mention the offer in your first comment too.
From the phase Preparing for PH Launch.Prepare a list of questions and answers that you are anticipating from the community
High priorityAnticipate potential questions from the community and create a list of corresponding answers. This preparation will enable you to respond quickly and efficiently to inquiries during the launch, enhancing the overall success of your product launch. Some questions you may want to consider include:
Questions to prepare forFrom the phase Preparing for PH Launch.- How is your product different from existing solutions in the market?
- How do you justify the pricing?
- What is your product's target audience?
- Can you explain the key features of your product?
- What platforms or devices is your product available on?
- Do you have a free trial or demo version of your product?
- Are there any special offers or discounts available for Product Hunt users?
- How does your pricing model work?
- What is your plan for future updates and improvements?
- Do you have a roadmap for integrating with other tools or services?
- What problem does your product solve?
- Are there any limitations or known issues with your product that users should be aware of?
- Can you provide some insights into your team and their expertise?
Build an email list of potential users and customers who are interested in your product
MediumIn LaunchListDevelop an email list comprising individuals who have expressed interest in your product. This list allows you to communicate directly with potential users and customers, providing updates, exclusive content, and promotional offers to build engagement and drive adoption.
In LaunchListOn every planFrom the phase Preparing for PH Launch.Each person who joins your waitlist gets a place in line and a link to share, and moves up when a friend joins and confirms their email.
Reach out to influencers, bloggers, journalists, and podcasters who cover your niche and ask for feedback or promotion
MediumEngage with influencers, bloggers, journalists, and podcasters who focus on your product's niche. Seek their feedback, recommendations, or promotional support, as their endorsement and coverage can significantly amplify your product's reach and credibility.
From the phase Preparing for PH Launch.Prepare some promotional content such as blog posts, tweets, newsletters, etc. that you can share on launch day
High priorityCreate promotional content in various formats, such as blog posts, tweets, newsletters, or other suitable mediums. This content should be prepared in advance and ready to be shared on the day of your product launch to generate buzz and excitement among your audience.
From the phase Preparing for PH Launch.
Before Launch
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Ensure everything is in place, from marketing materials to customer support, for a smooth launch.
Choose the best day to launch based on audience and competition
High priorityCarefully consider the preferences and behavior of your target audience when selecting the launch day for your product, and avoid days when there is significant competition or noise. Product Hunt says there is no golden day, and that weekend launches get 15% more clicks on the Visit button than weekday ones.
From the phase Before Launch.Schedule your launch as early as possible (preferably right after midnight PST)
High priorityAim to schedule your product launch at the earliest feasible time, preferably immediately after midnight Pacific time. Product Hunt's homepage runs on a 24-hour cycle on Pacific time, so a launch at 12:01 a.m. gets the whole day, and you can schedule it up to one month ahead.
From the phase Before Launch.Test your product thoroughly and fix any bugs or issues that might affect the user experience
High priorityPrioritize thorough testing of your product to identify and address any bugs, glitches, or issues that could hurt the user experience. A smooth product experience improves user satisfaction and the likelihood of positive reviews and adoption.
From the phase Before Launch.Check your landing page and product page for any typos, broken links, or missing information
High priorityIn LaunchListConduct a meticulous review of your landing page and product page to identify and correct any typos, grammatical errors, broken links, or missing information. A polished and error-free presentation instills trust and professionalism, encouraging users to explore your product further.
In LaunchListFrom the Launch planFrom the phase Before Launch.Launch Day checks five things for you: a launch window, a live page, a form taking signups, an announcement ready and people to launch to.
Add a Product Hunt badge on your website to let people know that you are launching on Product Hunt
MediumDisplay a Product Hunt badge prominently on your website to tell visitors that you are launching on Product Hunt. Product Hunt offers badges and embeds for your homepage, a site-wide banner or your blog, and they send visitors straight to your launch.
From the phase Before Launch.Schedule your promotional content to go live at the same time as your launch
MediumCoordinate the timing of your promotional content to align with the moment of your product launch. By synchronizing the release of promotional materials, such as blog posts, social media updates, or newsletters, you create one clear campaign that gets the most attention on the day.
From the phase Before Launch.Brainstorm a list of places where you can promote your product
MediumIn LaunchListEngage in a brainstorming session to generate a comprehensive list of potential platforms and channels where you can promote your product. This proactive approach ensures that you have a range of options to explore and increases the chances of reaching your target audience effectively.
In LaunchListlaunch.li, the directory LaunchList runs for products that are not out yet, sorts them into Building, Beta, Launching soon and Launched. Add yours after signing in from an emailed link; it appears, newest first, once it has been reviewed.
Add your product on launch.liRead moreFrom the phase Before Launch.Inform your email list, friends, family, and supporters about your launch date and ask them to support you
MediumIn LaunchListReach out to the people on your email list, friends, family, and loyal supporters to tell them your launch date. Ask them to take a look on the day and to spread the word. Ask for feedback rather than upvotes: asking for upvotes is against Product Hunt's rules.
In LaunchListFrom the Collect planFrom the phase Before Launch.Email campaigns send one email to everyone on your list who can be emailed, from Emails in your project.
On Launch Day
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Celebrate your hard work and excitement as the product is introduced to the world.
Submit your product as early as possible (preferably right after midnight PST)
High priorityAim to have your product live on Product Hunt as early as you can, ideally right after midnight Pacific time. Product Hunt's own rule of thumb is 12:01 a.m., because its homepage runs on a 24-hour cycle on Pacific time and an early launch is on the leaderboard for the whole day.
From the phase On Launch Day.Add a creator's comment that tells your product story and invites feedback from the community
High priorityInclude a creator's comment when you submit your product on Product Hunt. Use it to share the story behind your product, its inspiration and what makes it different. Invite the community to give feedback and suggestions. Product Hunt says 70% of the products that won Product of the Day, Week or Month had a first comment from the maker.
From the phase On Launch Day.Share your product link on your social media channels, email list, and other platforms where you have an audience
High priorityIn LaunchListUse your existing online presence, such as social media channels and email lists, to share the link to your Product Hunt launch. This tells your established audience about the launch and brings more visibility and engagement. Post only where you already take part, and ask for feedback, not upvotes.
In LaunchListFrom the Launch planFrom the phase On Launch Day.A Launch day automation sends your email to everyone you can email when you press Go live, or at a time you set around your launch date.
Engage with the Product Hunt community by replying to comments, answering questions, and thanking users for their support
High priorityActively participate in the Product Hunt community by engaging with users who comment on your product. Respond to comments, address questions, and thank users for their support. The leaderboard moves on comments as well as upvotes, and the conversation shows people what your product is worth.
From the phase On Launch Day.Follow or Tweet at people who have engaged with Product Hunt in the past
LowIdentify and follow individuals on Twitter who have previously engaged with Product Hunt. Engage with their content by liking, retweeting, or commenting on their posts related to Product Hunt. This approach helps you connect with potential supporters and expand your network within the Product Hunt community.
From the phase On Launch Day.Monitor your analytics and metrics to see how your product is performing and what you can improve
High priorityIn LaunchListRegularly track and analyze the performance metrics and analytics associated with your Product Hunt launch. This includes monitoring metrics such as website traffic, conversions, user engagement, and feedback received. By analyzing this data, you can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions to optimize your product's performance.
In LaunchListOn every planFrom the phase On Launch Day.Analytics shows signups over time and how many visits to your hosted page ended in a signup.
Days after Launch
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Analyze user feedback, address issues, and plan for continued growth.
Send an update to your subscribers and users about your results (good or bad) and thank them for their support
High priorityAfter your Product Hunt launch, send an update to your subscribers and users, sharing the results of your launch, whether positive or negative. Express your gratitude for their support and participation, keeping them informed about the progress of your product. This transparent communication strengthens your relationship with your audience.
From the phase Days after Launch.Follow up with any leads, prospects, or customers who showed interest in your product and offer them a trial or a discount
MediumTake the initiative to follow up with leads, prospects, or customers who displayed interest in your product during the Product Hunt launch. Offer them a trial or a discount as a gesture of appreciation for their engagement. This personalized approach can convert interested individuals into paying customers and nurture valuable relationships.
From the phase Days after Launch.Collect feedback from your users and customers and use it to improve your product and roadmap
MediumActively seek feedback from the users and customers who found your product on Product Hunt. Gather their insights, suggestions, and critiques to understand where to improve, and use this feedback to shape your product's features and roadmap.
From the phase Days after Launch.Analyze your launch data and learn from your successes and failures
MediumDig into the data and metrics from your Product Hunt launch. Look at performance, user engagement, and the feedback you received, and note both what worked and what needs to improve, so you can refine your marketing and your next launch.
From the phase Days after Launch.Celebrate your achievements and plan for your next steps
High priorityTake the time to celebrate the milestones your Product Hunt launch reached, and reflect on the lessons learned. Then plan your next steps and set new goals for the product. Product Hunt lets you launch again whenever you have a significant new version.
From the phase Days after Launch.Source:Product Hunt: Launch guide
Share your story with us and help other makers
LowIn LaunchListShare your experiences and the lessons you learned with the Product Hunt community and other makers. By openly sharing your story, you add to what other founders know and give them insight for their own launches.
In LaunchListOn every planUpdates is a public changelog for what you ship and learn, with an RSS feed people can follow.
Read moreFrom the phase Days after Launch.
How to launch on Product Hunt: the full playbook
The checklist is the what. These are the why and the when, with Product Hunt rules quoted from its own pages.
Is Product Hunt still worth launching on?
For the right product, yes. A featured launch puts you in front of people who try new things for fun, and the comments are some of the fastest honest feedback you will get. The catch is that a person on the Product Hunt team decides what is featured, so a launch has to earn its place rather than collect votes.
It is a good fit when:
- People can sign up and use the product on the day
- Your buyers include makers, founders or early adopters
- You can give the launch a whole day, from midnight Pacific to midnight
- You have people of your own to tell, so the first hour is not silent
What Product Hunt does not feature
Product Hunt's featuring guidelines list what its team leaves off the homepage. Read the list before you pick a date: a launch in one of these groups can still go up, but it will not be shown on the homepage.
- A waitlist, unless people get access straight away
- Directories, lists, templates and boilerplates
- Podcasts, courses, reports, events and books
- Services, shops and deal sites
- Kickstarter projects that do not work yet, and hardware without a strong digital side
- Vaporware, and products built mostly to make money at once
The 6-week launch timeline
Treat it as a six-week project with a one-day finale, and set up your account well before that: Product Hunt suggests joining three months or more ahead. The dates Product Hunt fixes are the account wait, the scheduling window and the midnight start; everything else is yours to arrange.
| When | Focus | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Three months or more before | Your account | Join, fill in your profile, take part, ask co-makers to join. Product Hunt suggests this lead time. |
| Six weeks before | The product | Make sure people can use it, walk the visitor path, decide on an offer, start a waitlist. |
| Up to one month before | The post | Write the tagline, description and first comment, make the images, schedule the launch. |
| The week before | Your people | Email your list the date, add the badge, write the posts, split the day. |
| Launch day | Conversation | Check the post, email the link, share where you belong, reply to everyone. |
| The week after | Follow-up | Thank people, welcome new signups, sort the feedback, plan the next one. |
Sources:Product Hunt: Before launchProduct Hunt: Preparing for launch
Should you use a hunter or self-hunt?
Self-hunt. Product Hunt encourages makers to post their own products, says a third-party hunter brings no clear advantage, and warns against paying a hunter or assuming you need one. What helps is a maker who is known in the community and a post that is ready.
If someone else already posted your product, Product Hunt suggests making the most of it and launching again later, when you have a new version to show.
Sources:Product Hunt: Launch guideProduct Hunt: Sharing your launch
The best day and time to launch
12:01 a.m. Pacific, on the day your own people can show up. Product Hunt's day runs on Pacific time, so a launch a minute after midnight is on the board for the full 24 hours.
On the day itself, Product Hunt is plain that there is no golden answer, and it reports that weekend launches get 15% more clicks on the Visit button than weekday ones. A quieter day can be easier to stand out on. Avoid days your audience is busy elsewhere: holidays, and the days of big tech keynotes in your field.
Launch day, hour by hour
All times are Pacific. The shape that matters: everything you send goes out in the first hour, then you spend the rest of the day answering people as each part of the world wakes up.
| When | What you do |
|---|---|
| 12:01 a.m. | The launch goes live. Check the post and make sure the first comment is there. |
| The first hour | Email your list, then share on your own accounts and in the groups you belong to. |
| Early morning | Europe is awake: answer every comment that came in overnight. |
| Morning to afternoon | The Americas are awake. Reply quickly, and post one update if something good happened. |
| Evening | Thank people on your own accounts, and keep answering comments. |
| Before midnight | Leave a last comment on the post thanking everyone who stopped by. |
Your launch-day offer
Give visitors a reason to start today rather than bookmark you and forget. The best offers are specific and end soon.
Offers that suit a launch:
- A longer free trial for people who sign up during the launch
- Extra credits or a bonus feature for launch-day signups
- A discount that ends with the day
- Early access to something not yet released, for supporters only
Common launch-day mistakes
Most launches that go badly go badly for the same few reasons, and none of them is the product.
- Asking for upvotes. It breaks the rules, and Product Hunt can ask you to remove the posts.
- Launching a waitlist. Without access on the day, it will not be featured.
- Launching without an audience. If nobody is waiting, the first hour is silent.
- Going quiet after lunch, and missing everyone who arrives in the evening.
- Treating midnight as the finish. The follow-up email and the week after are where signups turn into users.
Product Hunt is one stage of a longer sequence. For how the pieces fit together, see the startup launch stack.
Sources:Product Hunt: Sharing your launchProduct Hunt: Featuring guidelines
What questions should I anticipate on launch day?
The same questions come up on almost every launch. Draft an answer to each one before the day, so you can reply fast and stay in your own voice.
- How is it different from what I use now?
- What does it cost, and is there a free plan or a trial?
- Who is it for, and who is it not for?
- Which platforms and devices does it run on?
- What does it not do yet, and what are the known issues?
- Who is the team, and why are you the ones building it?
- Is there an offer for people from Product Hunt?
The Product Hunt tasks that LaunchList handles for you.
A launch is only as loud as the list behind it. These are the tasks above that LaunchList does, on the plan named beside each.
A waitlist to bring to the launch
A page we host or a form on your own site, where everyone who joins gets a place in line and a referral link.
On every planThe date, sent to your whole list
One email campaign to everyone who can be emailed, written and sent from your project.
From the Collect planThe link, the moment you go live
A Launch day automation that emails your list when you press Go live, or before and after it.
From the Launch planA countdown with five launch checks
Launch Day counts down to your date, ticks off its five checks on its own and keeps your page link ready to share.
From the Launch plan
More launch checklists
Frequently asked questions about Product Hunt Launch Checklist
Common questions about product hunt launch checklist — compiled from the community.
What is Product Hunt?
What is the Product Hunt Launch Checklist?
How can the Product Hunt launch checklist benefit me?
Does the launch checklist cover all aspects of the launch process?
How can I create a compelling product page?
How can I engage with the Product Hunt community?
What are the recommended promotional channels for my launch?
How can I measure the success of my launch?
Are there any additional resources recommended for further research?
Can I collaborate with my team using the launch checklist?
How often is the Product Hunt launch checklist updated?
Can I contribute to the Product Hunt launch checklist?
Can I download the Product Hunt launch checklist as a PDF or other file format?
Is there a specific day or time recommended for launching on Product Hunt?
How can I optimize my product page for better visibility?
Should I incentivize users to upvote my product on Product Hunt?
Can I submit updates or new features of my product after the initial launch?
How can I leverage email marketing to promote my Product Hunt launch?
Who maintains the Product Hunt launch checklist?
Is Product Hunt free to launch on?
Do I need a hunter to launch on Product Hunt?
How do products get featured on Product Hunt?
Can I launch a waitlist on Product Hunt?
Have your people ready before the launch goes live.
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