Side tool as perpetual launch engine
Build small free tools adjacent to your main product so each one gives you a fresh reason to post on Reddit, Product Hunt, and Hacker News indefinitely.
Why this can grow a startup
Each side tool solves a narrow problem and ranks on Google for that search intent. Every launch is a new content event you can post across communities without self-promotion fatigue. Side tools build brand awareness and backlinks while funneling users to your core product. It turns a one-time launch into an ongoing distribution machine.
Company example
Fausto Torres (indie hacker who built 10+ side tools to continuously drive traffic to his main product)
Source and metric
Source: medium.com · Browse medium.com tactics
Source discovered: March 19, 2026
When to use it
Use this when Hacker News, Product Hunt, Reddit 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.
Founder checklist
- Read medium.com and identify what is directly supported.
- Choose one channel context: Hacker News, Product Hunt, Reddit.
- Define the test around one observable customer behavior.
- Set an owner, evidence window, and stop condition before launch.
Explore the context
Apply this with an operator
Turn isolated search tactics into a crawlable visibility system tied to demand and proof.