Notes from a failed Product Hunt launch
After hours of reading best practices, crafting the perfect assets and assembling what felt like a bulletproof plan, we were ready to launch on Product Hunt. We worked so hard and genuinely believed we’d wake up to thousands of sign ups and the Product of the Day badge.
The reality was very different. We saw a tiny boost in sign ups, got stuck at around 200 upvotes, and to top it off, finished below a food blender.
Thankfully the story didn’t end there. Since then, we’ve launched two more times and the results were way better: two top 5 finishes, hundreds more upvotes, and a big uptick in users. I've been reflecting on why the first one fell flat and what changed in the more successful attempts. Here are my biggest lessons:
Get clear on your goal. At first, we were chasing the recognition of a top spot. But honestly, the most valuable outcomes are feedback, usage and long-term users. The leaderboard only tells part of the story.
Don't reinvent the wheel with assets. You probably have limited time and a small team. Take inspiration from launches you admire. There are some great websites that curates top-performing assets from past launches.
Be clear and human. Say what your product does in simple terms and share why you built it. People connect with clarity and real stories more than clever copy. Stay clear of buzzwords and don’t be afraid to show some personality.
Use social proof in your visuals. Screenshots are fine, but what really helps are testimonials, logos from investors or partners, and any external validation you’ve got. Trust builds interest.
You can launch more than once. We were terrified of getting it wrong, thinking we only had one shot. But it’s completely normal to launch again later with updates, new features or big milestones. The first launch is just the start.
Early momentum is everything. If you don’t get traction in the first few hours, it’s easy to get buried. Most people scroll through the top few and ignore the rest. Get your support lined up in advance and be ready to push hard from the first minute.
Build your network early. In the early days of Product Hunt, a great product could carry you. That’s no longer the case. Success now relies heavily on the community you’ve built before launch day. Start building that list and showing up in the community ahead of time.
I think the last two (number 6 and 7) are the most important. Would love to know what you would add/change from this list?
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