Before you submit
Start the title with "Show HN" and link straight to something people can try, with as few sign-up barriers as possible.
Share only something you made yourself, and be around to answer questions once it is posted.
How to launch on Hacker News (Show HN), step by step
Show HN is Hacker News's section for something you have made that other people can try: software they can run, or hardware they can hold. It is free, and the audience is technical and direct.
Make it possible to try
Link straight to the thing itself, ideally without sign-ups or email gates. If it is hardware, a video or a detailed write-up can stand in for trying it.
Write a plain title
Start the title with "Show HN", then say what it is. Skip capitals, exclamation marks and claims about how good it is.
Post when you can stay
The project has to be your own work and you need to be around to discuss it, so post when you have the next few hours free.
Answer questions openly
Expect direct technical questions and criticism. Answer them plainly and thank people who spot problems.
Hacker News (Show HN)'s own rules
- Sign-up pages, landing pages, newsletters, lists, blog posts and fundraisers are off topic for Show HN, because they cannot be tried.
- Do not ask friends to upvote or comment.
- Minor updates such as a new version number are generally not enough for a Show HN; a major overhaul may be.
- Do not use Hacker News primarily for promotion, and do not editorialise titles.
Mistakes to avoid
- Posting a waitlist page before there is anything to try.
- Putting the product behind a sign-up wall that most readers will not get past.
- Posting and leaving, when the discussion is where the value is.
Checked against Hacker News (Show HN)'s own pages: news.ycombinator.com/showhn.html (opens in a new tab), news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html (opens in a new tab)
Cost, wait and links
- Cost
- Free submission. There is no paid option. Posting needs only an HN account.
- Wait
- Not stated by the site
- Links
- Not confirmed
Requirements
- You need an account to submit.
- Waitlist-only or unreleased products are not accepted.
What founders got here
No founder has reported results here yet. Figures appear once 3 reports are approved, as medians and labelled self reported.
Launched on Hacker News (Show HN)? Share your resultsWhere this comes from
Checked against the site's own pages. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the site before paying.
Questions about launching on Hacker News (Show HN)
Can I post a landing page or waitlist on Show HN?
- No. Show HN is for things people can try, so sign-up pages, landing pages and newsletters are off topic. Wait until there is something people can use.
