Back to Resources

Product Hunt Launch Playbook

The step-by-step guide to launching successfully on Product Hunt. Based on analysis of 500+ successful launches.

400-600
Average votes for #1
20+
Comments for featured
Tuesday
Ideal launch day
200+
Competition peak

Launch Timeline

01

4 Weeks Before

+Create Product Hunt account and complete profile
+Start building your hunter network
+Research successful launches in your category
+Prepare marketing assets (GIFs, images, videos)
+Write and refine your tagline
02

2 Weeks Before

+Find and contact a top hunter (optional but recommended)
+Create launch day communication plan
+Prepare email templates for supporters
+Set up tracking and analytics
+Schedule social media posts
03

1 Week Before

+Notify your email list about upcoming launch
+Coordinate with team and assign roles
+Prepare FAQ and responses
+Test your product thoroughly
+Create a launch day checklist
04

Launch Day

+Launch at 12:01 AM PST
+Notify your immediate network
+Engage with every comment
+Share updates throughout the day
+Monitor and respond quickly
05

Post-Launch

+Thank everyone who supported
+Analyze metrics and learnings
+Follow up with new users
+Leverage the badge and press
+Plan your next launch

Winning Strategies

01

The Perfect Tagline

  • +Keep it under 60 characters
  • +Focus on the benefit, not features
  • +Make it memorable and clear
  • +Avoid jargon and buzzwords
  • +Test it with people unfamiliar with your product
02

Building Your Army

  • +Start building relationships months before
  • +Engage genuinely on other launches
  • +Create a launch squad of 20-30 core supporters
  • +Prepare easy sharing templates
  • +Don't spam - quality over quantity
03

Launch Day Execution

  • +Launch exactly at 12:01 AM PST
  • +First hour is crucial - mobilize immediately
  • +Respond to every comment within minutes
  • +Share updates and milestones
  • +Keep energy high all day
04

Asset Preparation

  • +Create an eye-catching gallery GIF
  • +Show your product in action
  • +Include social proof if available
  • +Optimize images for fast loading
  • +Prepare multiple angles/use cases

Launch Day Do's

  • +Reply to every single comment
  • +Share authentic updates and milestones
  • +Thank supporters publicly
  • +Offer exclusive launch day perks
  • +Cross-promote with other launchers
  • +Stay active all 24 hours

Launch Day Don'ts

  • -Ask directly for upvotes (against rules)
  • -Use bots or paid services
  • -Spam communities or DMs
  • -Launch on weekends or holidays
  • -Ignore negative feedback
  • -Give up if you're not #1 early

Launch Day Email Templates

To Your Email List

Subject: We're live on Product Hunt!

Hey [Name],

After months of work, we just launched [Product] on Product Hunt!

[Brief value prop]

Your support would mean the world: [Link]

P.S. Launch day only - [Special offer]

To Your Network

Subject: Need your 30-second help

Hi [Name],

Quick favor - we just launched on Product Hunt!

If you have 30 seconds, would love your support: [Link]

Just click "Upvote" - no signup needed if you have Twitter/Google.

Thanks so much!

Success Stories

#1

Notion

Product of the Year

"Community engagement was key. We responded to every single comment within minutes."

#1

Superhuman

Product of the Day

"We built relationships months before launch. The community already knew us."

#1

Linear

Product of the Week

"Our beta users were our biggest advocates. Authentic support wins."

Get the Complete Launch Toolkit

Download our comprehensive launch checklist, email templates, asset guidelines, and day-of timeline. Everything you need for a successful launch.

01

Launch Checklist

02

Email Templates

03

Asset Guide

04

Hour-by-Hour Plan

Free toolkit · 10,000+ successful launches · Updated monthly