Product Hunt Launch Checklist
A Product Hunt launch checklist for SaaS teams: listing assets, launch timing, maker comment, community replies and follow-up that turns visits into users.
- Typical schedule per launch
- The checklist 5 sections, 25 items
- Variables
{{product}}{{launch_date}}
Use this checklist when you launch a product or a major new feature on Product Hunt. A launch day is short and busy: the daily ranking resets at midnight Pacific time, and most of the work that decides the result happens in the weeks before. The checklist covers preparation, the day itself, and the follow-up, which is where the real value of a launch is usually captured.
Who owns it
A founder or the product marketer owns the run and is the main maker on the listing. Other team members are added as makers so they can reply to comments. Someone should be on duty for comments during the whole day.
Common pitfalls
- Asking for upvotes. Product Hunt's rules discourage asking people to upvote, and suspicious voting patterns can hurt your listing. Ask people to check out the launch and leave honest feedback instead.
- A cold account. Launching from an account that has never taken part in the community gives you less to build on. Take part for a while before your launch.
- Weak first impression. The tagline and first gallery image decide whether people click. Show the product, not a logo.
- No plan for the traffic. Visitors arrive curious. Make sign-up quick and offer something specific to the launch, such as an extended trial.
Product Hunt changes its features and rules over time, so check the current launch guide before you schedule.
The checklist: Product Hunt launch: {{product}}
Weeks before
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Product Hunt guidelines for launches read and followed
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Maker account active in the community for a while before the launch
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Launch date
{{launch_date}}chosen, avoiding big holidays and major tech events -
Hunter chosen, or the decision made to self-hunt optional
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Supporters and customers told about the date and asked to take a look and give feedback
Listing assets
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Name and tagline written within the character limit
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Description written in plain language: what it does, for whom, why now
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Thumbnail or logo prepared in the required size
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Gallery images that show the product in use, with the strongest one first
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Short demo video recorded optional
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Maker comment drafted: why you built it, what is new, what feedback you want
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Launch offer for Product Hunt visitors prepared optional
Product readiness
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Sign-up flow tested end to end on desktop and mobile
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Website and app checked to handle a traffic spike
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Landing page mentions the launch and the offer
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Analytics and UTM tracking in place for Product Hunt traffic
Launch day
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Listing scheduled to go live at the start of the Product Hunt day (midnight Pacific time)
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Maker comment posted as soon as the listing is live
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Launch shared with your email list, social channels and communities
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Every comment answered personally throughout the day
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Bugs or issues reported in comments fixed or acknowledged quickly
Follow-up
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Thank-you post or email sent to supporters
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New sign-ups from the launch welcomed and onboarded
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Feedback from the comments collected into the product backlog
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Results reviewed: visits, sign-ups, activation compared with the goal
Checklist as Markdown
Frequently asked questions
What is the best day to launch on Product Hunt?
There is no single best day. Weekdays get more traffic but also more competition, while weekends are quieter and easier to stand out in. Pick a day when your team can be online for the full Product Hunt day, and avoid dates when large tech companies have big announcements.
Should I use a hunter for my Product Hunt launch?
You do not need one. Self-hunting is common and accepted, and your own followers get notified either way. A hunter can help if they genuinely know your product and space, but they are not a shortcut to a high ranking.
How do I prepare for a Product Hunt launch?
Prepare the listing assets, take part in the community beforehand, tell your existing users and network when you launch, and make sure your sign-up flow is fast. On the day, post a personal maker comment and reply to every comment. Plan the follow-up before the launch, because that is when visitors decide whether to stay.
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