Glossary
What is a launch demo video?
A demo video is a short recording that shows a product working, used on launch pages, directory listings and landing pages. For a launch, 30 to 90 seconds is typical: the problem in a sentence, the product solving it on screen, and where to try it. Product first, talking heads last.
Structure that works
- 0 to 5 seconds: the result on screen. No logo intro.
- 5 to 40 seconds: the main job, start to finish, at real speed or lightly sped up.
- 40 to 70 seconds: one or two things that set it apart.
- Last seconds: where to try it, and the launch offer if there is one.
Add captions; many people watch on mute. Record at a resolution where text in the product is readable, and zoom into the part that matters.
Where it goes
The launch gallery on Product Hunt (as a YouTube or Loom link), the hero of your landing page, directory listings that accept a video URL, and the first post on social on launch day. In the submit forms we parsed, a video field appeared less often than a logo or screenshots, but AI tool directories ask for one more often than others.
Common mistake
A long founder intro before the product appears. Viewers decide in a few seconds. Put the face, if any, at the end. Our guide on making a SaaS launch demo video has a full script.
Example
A 52-second video for a PDF-to-spreadsheet tool: drag a messy invoice in, the table fills, export to Google Sheets, then the same with a scanned receipt in German. Captions explain each step. No voiceover, no intro. It became the most-watched asset of the launch.
FAQ
How long should a Product Hunt demo video be?
Under two minutes, ideally 30 to 90 seconds.
Do I need a professional video?
No. A clean screen recording with captions works better than a polished ad without the product in it.
Where do I host a demo video?
YouTube or Loom for launch platforms that take a link; your own site for the landing page.