Quick answer: a Product Hunt launch is decided in the preparation, not the day. This hub collects the complete checklist: the asset sizes, the gallery, the maker comment, the launch-day timeline, and the follow-up that converts the attention into users.

How Product Hunt actually works

The listing ranks on upvotes and engagement within the day, but the mechanism that matters is the first impression: the gallery, the tagline, and the first comment. A visitor who does not understand the product in the first screen does not upvote. The work is making that screen carry the product.

The assets and their sizes

  • [ ] The logo and the gallery images at the current specs.
  • [ ] The Open Graph image for the shared link.
  • [ ] The screenshots that show the product in use.

The Product Hunt image sizes and the launch asset checklist carry the exact pixels and the gallery order.

The maker comment

The first comment is the founder's chance to tell the story: the problem, the reason it exists, and who it is for, written like a person, not a press release. The maker comment guide covers the structure and the common mistakes.

The launch-day timeline

  • [ ] Publish at the target time and post the maker comment immediately.
  • [ ] Reply to every comment through the day.
  • [ ] Rotate the social angles and keep the listing active.
  • [ ] Log every question for the follow-up.

The launch-day timeline and the founder's hour-by-hour sheets map the day.

The preparation week

  • [ ] Write the five-line product description and source the facts.
  • [ ] Build the gallery and the social set.
  • [ ] Stage the listing and the maker comment.
  • [ ] Verify the OG image and the signup flow.

The launch week plan carries the calendar.

The follow-up

  • [ ] Answer every comment within 24 hours.
  • [ ] Publish the recap with the honest numbers.
  • [ ] Convert the launch questions into the next content.
  • [ ] Move new users toward activation.

The what to do after launch guide covers it.

The comparison table

Stage Output Fails if skipped
Assets Gallery, logo, OG Weak first screen
Comment Maker story No context
Day Replies and rotation Lost momentum
Follow-up Recap and activation Wasted attention

With no existing audience

The launch still works if the assets carry the product and the founder engages through the day; the launch with no audience and build in public guides cover the approach.

The full guide library

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important Product Hunt asset? The gallery and the first screen; a visitor decides in seconds whether to upvote.

How long should the maker comment be? Long enough to carry the problem and the reason, short enough to read in a minute; five short paragraphs usually.

What time does the launch go live? The listing runs on the site's day; stage the assets and be present for the full window.

Can AI build the launch assets? The gallery and social set can be generated from a product description; the maker comment and the replies stay with the founder.