Show HN title and timing formula
Use data-backed keyword and scheduling rules to maximize visibility when launching on Hacker News.
Why this can grow a startup
Including 'Open Source' or 'YC' in a Show HN title boosts points by 38%. 'CLI' or 'API' adds 26%. Question-style titles ('Why X Sucks and How Y Fixes It?') get 2.2x more comments. Titles under 55 characters get 24% more upvotes. Posting on Tuesdays or Wednesdays between 8-11 AM UTC drives 28% more engagement. Critically, 'AI-Powered' in the title now causes a 15% score penalty due to audience fatigue.
Source-backed example
Analysis of ~1,200 Show HN launches (scraped and published on r/indiehackers) revealed specific title keywords and posting windows that dramatically affect traction.
Source details
Source: reddit.com · Browse reddit.com tactics
Evidence scope: claims and metrics are attributed to the linked source; GrowthDex has not independently replicated the reported result. Check the original context and validate fit before applying it. Read the evidence methodology.
Source discovered: March 20, 2026
When to use it
Use this when Hacker News is relevant to 0-100, 100-1K and you can run a bounded test with a free budget.
When not to use it
Do not use it as a substitute for customer evidence, a clear owner, or a measurable stop condition. Local platform rules and market behavior still need checking.
How to do it
- Choose one target segment and define the exact next action this tactic should prompt.
- Follow Hacker News community guidelines: do not solicit votes, comments, or submissions; share a useful working demo and an original explanation.
- Record a baseline for: Qualified Show HN visitors who complete the intended first product action. Set a guardrail that would make you pause the test.
- Run a narrow pilot and choose a test window that fits the normal decision or use cycle; do not scale before you have observed the full cycle.
- Compare the signal with its baseline. Scale only if the intended action improves without crossing the guardrail; otherwise revise one variable or stop and record what you learned.
Compare a stack for your situation
Compare source-backed tactics against your product, stage, budget and channel strengths, then choose one experiment to test.
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