How to Submit to Hacker News Without Getting Banned
Hacker News hates marketing. To win, you must frame your startup as an "Intellectual Curiosity" or "Technical Challenge" rather than a product.
What is Show HN?
Show HN is A specific tag on Hacker News for founders to share what they have built. It has its own dedicated feed and strict rules against marketing speak.
The 3 Core Benefits
The "Hug of Death"
If you hit #1 on the front page, expect 10k-50k concurrent visitors. It is the ultimate server stress test.
Recruiting Engineers
The best engineers in the world hang out on HN. It is a better place to find a technical co-founder or early hire than LinkedIn.
Brutal Product Feedback
You will get the most critical, pedantic, but technically accurate feedback on the planet. If you can survive HN, you can survive anything.
5 Steps to Surviving the Orange Site
The Title is Everything
No adjectives. No "World's Best." Use strictly factual titles: "Show HN: I built a distinct Postgres client in Rust."
The "Maker Comment"
Immediately after posting, write a comment explaining the *technical* challenges. Why was this hard to build? What stack did you use? HN loves details.
Timing Matters
Post around 8 AM - 10 AM PST. The "New" queue moves slightly slower, giving you a better chance to gather initial upvotes before vanishing.
Do NOT Ask for Upvotes
Seriously. Their algorithm detects voting rings and direct links. If you ask friends to upvote, your domain will be shadowbanned forever.
Leverage Mesh for Credibility
If HN users see you are part of a trusted founder network (like Mesh), they are less likely to flag you as spam. Trust is your shield.
The Risky Way vs. The Safe Way
| Feature | The Risky Way | The Safe Way |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Level | High (Ban Risk) | Safe (Verified Trust) |
| Feedback Style | Brutal / Pedantic | Constructive / Helpful |
| Longevity | 24 Hours Max | Permanent Visibility |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I repost if I fail?
Yes, but wait at least 6 months or until you have a major version update (e.g., V2.0). If you repost the same thing, you will be flagged.
Why was I flagged?
Likely marketing speak in the title, a broken link, or asking for votes. Or users just didn't find it intellectually interesting.
Is Show HN for B2B?
Only if it is an API, DevTool, or interesting tech. Pure sales/marketing tools usually get downvoted unless the engineering is novel.
What makes a launch channel high intent?
High-intent channels have users actively searching for solutions, not just browsing a feed.
How many channels should I launch on?
Start with 3-5 strong channels, measure conversions, then expand to 10-12 over time.
How do I avoid launch fatigue?
Stagger your launches and reuse assets so each channel gets a focused push.
What should I measure after launch?
Track qualified signups, backlinks, and demo requests, not just raw traffic.
How does Mesh of Growth fit with other platforms?
Use Mesh for compounding reviews and backlinks while other platforms provide short-term spikes.
Ready to get instant traffic from trusted founders?
← Back to Home