Should you launch your iOS app on Product Hunt?

Product Hunt launches go live at 12:01 AM Pacific. From Berlin, that's nine in the morning, and the day doesn't end until nine the next morning. That's the whole deal: one day on a leaderboard, with everyone who launched that day.

Whether that day is worth it depends on two things, your app and your calendar. Here's how to decide.

What does a Product Hunt launch get you?

• A day on the leaderboard. Your launch competes for that day's rank. Product of the Day goes to the launch with the most points, and Product Hunt says points combine upvotes and meaningful engagement. One upvote doesn't always equal one point.
• A product page that stays. After launch day the app keeps a permanent home on its Product Page, which collects launches, reviews and awards over the years.
• Followers. People who upvote your launch become followers of your Product Page.

It doesn't get you a guaranteed spot on the homepage. Product Hunt says the homepage is curated by its team and featuring can't be guaranteed. Launches that aren't featured are still visible in the All feed.

Does Product Hunt take iOS apps?

Yes. Product Hunt's own guide says your link can be an external site like the App Store.

Three things trip up app makers:

• It has to be available now. Product Hunt only features products people can use today. An app behind a waitlist isn't featured unless people get immediate access.
• Closed betas rarely work. A launch isn't a good fit if the community can't take part.
• Small, me-too apps struggle. Product Hunt says it avoids minimal, undifferentiated products that seem focused on making money fast.

What does it cost?

Nothing. Product Hunt says plainly that launching is free.

You also can't buy your way up on the day. Ads aren't allowed during a launch, Promoted Products aren't available for brand-new launches, and Product Hunt tells makers to never pay anyone to hunt or send traffic.

The real cost is time: the weeks before, and the whole day itself.

Who will see your app?

Product Hunt describes its community as early adopters, makers, tech people, entrepreneurs and investors. Its Daily Digest newsletter reaches more than 350,000 readers, by its own count.

That's a big audience, but a particular one. It's strong for apps that developers and founders would use themselves. It's weaker for a meal planner your mum would love.

And it's crowded. Product Hunt says it sorts through thousands of submissions every day, and major launches from well-known companies go live on the day they choose.

What should you prepare, and how early?

That first comment matters more than it looks. Product Hunt says 70% of Product of the Day, Week or Month winners included one.

What happens on launch day?

You reply. All day.

Answer every comment, thank people who try the app, and share the launch with your own followers. Don't ask anyone for upvotes: Product Hunt's guide says to never ask outright for upvotes or run anything that requires them.

If you can choose the day, consider a weekend. Product Hunt's own numbers say weekend launches get 15% more "Visit" button clicks than weekday ones.

What happens after launch day?

The leaderboard moves on. Your Product Page stays, and so do the followers you gained.

The link stays too. On a recent iOS launch, the Visit button linked straight to the App Store with rel="ugc". That's a hint to search engines, not a plain followed link, so don't plan your SEO around it.

When should you skip Product Hunt?

• Your app is for a general audience, with nothing that would excite early adopters.
• You can't be online for most of launch day.
• The app is behind a waitlist or only on TestFlight.
• Your plan depends on asking people to upvote.

Skipping it isn't failing. The Launch Map has directories and communities built for iOS apps, where the audience already wants what you made.

Can you launch the same app again?

Yes, after a while. Product Hunt allows a relaunch 6 months after the last one, with a significant update. It says new UIs and pricing changes don't count.