So, you’ve written a killer blog post, built an awesome tool, or have a burning question for the tech community. Naturally, you think:
"Hacker News would love this!"
But before you hit that submit button, let’s talk about how to post on HN without getting flagged, ignored, or (probably worst of all) roasted in the comments. Because, yes - there IS such a thing as poor marketing.
I hope this won't end up being your typical “10 tips for HN success” fluff piece. I’m here to give you the real, nitty-gritty hacks that’ll help your post rise to the top—or at least avoid the dreaded [dead] tag. Let’s dive in.
⚠️ THE CRITICAL STUFF
(DO NOT MESS THIS UP)
1. Don’t share direct links for upvotes
HN’s algorithm is smarter than an average Joe thinks.
If you share your post link on your Slack, Discord, or wherever, and ask people to upvote it, those votes won’t count.
Let me say that again.
These votes WILL NOT COUNT.
Even worse, HN’s vote-ring detection might penalize your post.
Instead, focus on sparking organic discussion—comments are the real ranking booster.
For the push from friends and family, well, they will have to manually find your post on the HN /newest, /show, or whichever category you choose.
2. Don’t ask for upvotes or use sockpuppet accounts
Explicitly asking for upvotes is a big no-no.
So is using multiple accounts to manipulate votes.
Both will get your post flagged or your account banned.
Play fair, and let the community decide if your post is worth it.
3. Use specific, descriptive titles
Your title is your first impression.
“How we reduced API latency by 90%” will perform better than “Improving performance.”
Avoid clickbait, ALL CAPS, or excessive punctuation.
HN users value clarity and professionalism.
4. Post during peak hours (9 AM–12 PM Pacific Time)
Timing is (almost) everything.
Post during peak hours when the most users are active. Based on community observations, the best time to post is typically between 9 AM and 12 PM Pacific Time.
Avoid weekends and late nights (Pacific Time equivalent).
Engagement tends to drop during these times.
5. Disclose affiliations transparently
If you’re sharing your own work, say so.
Titles like “Show HN: My open-source tool for X” or “I built a new database” are fine.
Trying to hide your affiliation will backfire.
HN values transparency.
✅ HIGH-IMPACT MOVES
(DO THESE RIGHT)
6. Encourage organic discussion in comments
Comments are a stronger ranking signal than upvotes. Be ready to engage with thoughtful responses. If someone critiques your post, reply with data or reasoning—not defensiveness.
7. Include technical details and depth
HN users love deep dives. Share code snippets, benchmarks, or architecture diagrams.
If your post feels like a press release or marketing fluff, it’ll likely get ignored.
8. Don’t repost the same content
HN’s duplicate detection is robust.
If your post didn’t gain traction, wait a few weeks and try again with a new angle or title.
Reposting the same link will likely get flagged.
9. Engage respectfully in comments
Thoughtful responses build credibility.
If someone’s being hostile, don’t escalate.
Report abuse instead.
HN values civil, intellectually stimulating discussions.
Being an 🍑 probably won't go a long way.
10. Leverage “Show HN” and “Ask HN” correctly
Use “Show HN” to showcase polished projects and “Ask HN” for thought-provoking questions. Misusing these features (e.g., posting unfinished projects or trivial questions) leads to disinterest.
🆗 NICE-TO-HAVES
(still worth doing)
11. Write concise, scannable content
Use bullet points, subheadings, and short paragraphs.
HN users often skim, so make your key insights easy to find.
12. Monitor HN’s “new” page and engage with others’ posts
Build goodwill by upvoting and commenting on new posts.
It’s a long-term strategy, but it pays off.
I'm not talking about spamming random posts with comments just for the sake of engagement, but given you're posting to the platform, there is LIKELY something else there worth your attention as well.
13. Avoid editing titles after posting
HN’s algorithm may penalize posts with edited titles.
Choose your title carefully before submitting.
14. Leverage HN’s “second chance” system
If your post doesn’t gain traction, a moderator might give it a second chance if it’s high-quality.
Don’t delete it prematurely.
Check the /pool to see the second chance posts.
Posting on Hacker News isn’t rocket science.
It does require strategy and respect for the community.
Follow these tips, and you’ll likely improve your chances of success—or at least avoid getting roasted in the comments.
Now go forth and post wisely.
And if this post helps you hit the front page, well then, you know where to find me.
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