From ph-complete
Explains Product Hunt ranking algorithm factors like vote weights, engagement depth, velocity patterns, and first 4 hours to optimize launches and diagnose issues.
npx claudepluginhub yoanbernabeu/producthunt-skills --plugin ph-completeThis skill uses the workspace's default tool permissions.
This skill explains how Product Hunt's ranking algorithm works, helping you optimize your launch strategy based on publicly known factors.
Generates personalized Product Hunt launch plans to rank #1 with step-by-step strategies, checklists, timelines, and pro tips from top makers. Useful for launch preparation.
Prevents Product Hunt penalties like shadow bans and unfeaturings by explaining rules on vote manipulation, incentivized voting, explicit requests, and spam. Use for launch planning, team training, and compliance reviews.
Guides Product Hunt launches for SaaS, dev tools, AI products: 30-day prep plans, submission fields (tagline, gallery, first comment), timing, engagement strategies.
Share bugs, ideas, or general feedback.
This skill explains how Product Hunt's ranking algorithm works, helping you optimize your launch strategy based on publicly known factors.
Upvotes ≠ Points
Product Hunt CTO Mike Kerzhner confirmed: "There is not a 1:1 correspondence between upvotes and points."
Higher Weight Votes:
Lower Weight Votes:
Potentially Discounted:
Positive Signals:
Why It Matters:
What Algorithm Watches:
Healthy Pattern:
Hour 1: [████████░░] 40 votes
Hour 2: [██████░░░░] 35 votes
Hour 3: [███████░░░] 38 votes
Hour 4: [█████████░] 45 votes
Suspicious Pattern:
Hour 1: [██████████] 150 votes (spike!)
Hour 2: [█░░░░░░░░░] 5 votes
Hour 3: [█░░░░░░░░░] 3 votes
Hour 4: [█░░░░░░░░░] 2 votes
Special Period:
After 4 Hours:
Flagged Patterns:
Clean Patterns:
12:01 AM PST → Day begins
↓
Hours 0-4: Randomized ranking
↓
Hour 4+: Algorithm-sorted ranking
↓
Throughout day: Continuous re-ranking
↓
11:59 PM PST → Final rankings locked
↓
Awards: POTD, Top 5, etc.
Score = (Weighted Votes × Quality Multiplier)
+ (Engagement Depth Bonus)
- (Spam/Manipulation Penalty)
Where:
Instead of: Getting 200 votes from low-quality accounts
Aim for: Getting 100 votes from active, established accounts
Instead of: All supporters voting at 12:01 AM
Aim for: Supporters spread across 5-6 waves over 24 hours
Instead of: "Please upvote!"
Aim for: "Would love your honest thoughts in the comments!"
Why:
Vote Velocity Spikes
Account Patterns
Geographic Clustering
Timing Uniformity
Organic Growth
Diverse Sources
Deep Engagement
Maker Presence
Requirements (Unofficial):
Helps Your Chances:
Common Causes:
Recovery:
Focus on: Building something people love
Not on: Gaming the system
Focus on: Genuine community
Not on: Vote numbers
Focus on: Long-term reputation
Not on: One-day ranking
Reality: 79% of featured products are self-hunted. Hunter followers help awareness but don't guarantee votes.
Reality: Vote quality matters more than quantity. 50 high-weight votes can beat 100 low-weight votes.
Reality: First 4 hours matter, but the entire 24 hours count. Late momentum can overcome slow starts.
Reality: Lower competition, but also lower traffic. Easier badge, fewer users.
Reality: It's designed to surface genuinely interesting products. Work with it, not against it.
ALGORITHM OPTIMIZATION CHECK
VOTE QUALITY:
- Expected high-weight votes: [Number]
- Expected low-weight votes: [Number]
- Risk of discounted votes: [Low/Medium/High]
ENGAGEMENT PLAN:
- Comment depth strategy: [Description]
- Maker response plan: [Description]
- Discussion seeding: [Description]
VELOCITY PATTERN:
- Wave 1 timing: [Time]
- Wave 2 timing: [Time]
- Expected distribution: [Natural/Concerning]
RISK FACTORS:
- [Risk 1]: [Mitigation]
- [Risk 2]: [Mitigation]
REALISTIC TARGETS:
- Conservative estimate: [Rank range]
- Optimistic estimate: [Rank range]