How to Post a Show HN (Solo Founder Guide)

How to Post a Show HN (Solo Founder Guide)

Show HN is one of the few launch channels where a solo founder with no audience can still reach thousands of technical readers in a day. It is also one of the easiest to get wrong, because Hacker News readers are quick to ignore anything that feels like marketing.

This guide covers what qualifies as a Show HN, how to write the post, and how to handle the hours after you submit.

What Show HN is (and isn't)

Show HN is for something you have made that other people can try. Hacker News's own guidelines are clear that the point is curiosity: people should be able to run, play with or read the thing you built.

That means these usually do not work as a Show HN:

• A landing page with a waitlist or "coming soon" signup
• A blog post, newsletter or course (post those as normal submissions instead)
• A fundraising announcement or a request for beta testers
• Anything people cannot try without handing over an email address or credit card first

If your product is a SaaS, make sure a visitor can try something real immediately: a free demo, a sandbox, a public API, or a no-signup tool.

Before you post

1. Make the first minute work. The first screen should show what the product does, not a sales pitch.
2. Remove friction. If a login is unavoidable, offer a demo account or a read-only demo.
3. Check it under load. A front-page post can send a lot of visitors at once. A slow or broken site is the fastest way to lose them.
4. Write the first comment in advance. More on that below.

Writing the title

The convention is simple: start with "Show HN:", then the product name, then a plain description of what it does.

Show HN: Name – one sentence on what it does

Good titles are specific and unhyped. Avoid superlatives like "best" or "revolutionary", avoid exclamation marks, and don't use the title to ask for votes. Say what the thing is, who it is for, or the unusual technical idea behind it.

The first comment

Right after you submit, add a comment with the story behind the project. This is where a solo founder has an advantage, because you can speak directly about why you built it. Cover:

• What problem you were trying to solve for yourself
• What is technically interesting or unusual about it
• What state it is in today, including what doesn't work yet
• One or two specific questions you would like feedback on

Keep it honest and short. Readers respond well to a clear limitation and badly to a sales pitch.

After you submit

• Stay in the thread. Reply to every comment, including critical ones, politely and with substance. Showing up is much of what makes a Show HN land.
• Don't ask for upvotes. Asking friends or your audience to upvote violates Hacker News's rules and can get a post penalised. Share the link if you like, but never ask people to vote.
• Fix what people find. Quick fixes during the discussion build goodwill and give you something to report back on.

Why a Show HN alone isn't a launch plan

A Show HN is a spike. Traffic usually arrives within a day and then drops off, so you want something that keeps working afterwards. Pair it with channels that give your product a permanent page and a backlink:

• A listing on Solo Launches, where your product keeps its own page that can rank in search and be upvoted over time
• A directory or two from our best startup directories guide
• Communities that fit your product, as covered in our guide to the best launch platforms

Not sure where your product fits? Browse what other founders have shipped in developer tools or SaaS tools, and see how they present their products.

If you are weighing Hacker News against Product Hunt, read how one founder made a first SaaS sale without Product Hunt.

Frequently asked questions

Can I post a Show HN if my product needs a signup?

It is risky. Show HN is meant for things people can try, so if signup is required, offer a demo, a sandbox or a no-signup version. Readers often react badly to a wall between them and the product.

What time should I post a Show HN?

There is no timing that guarantees traffic, and being ready to answer comments for the next several hours matters more than the exact minute. Post when you can stay online and respond.

Can I ask people to upvote my Show HN?

No. Asking for upvotes goes against Hacker News's rules and can hurt the post. Focus on a clear title, a product people can try, and a good first comment.

What if my Show HN gets no attention?

That is common, and it says little about your product. Many submissions never reach the front page. Review your title and first minute of experience, then try other channels and consider submitting again later with something meaningfully new.

Is Show HN better than Product Hunt for solo founders?

They reach different audiences. Show HN favours technical products and honest discussion, while Product Hunt leans towards polished consumer and SaaS launches. Many solo founders use both, plus a permanent directory listing for steady traffic.