Glossary
What is a self-hunt on Product Hunt?
A self-hunt is a Product Hunt launch posted by the product's own maker instead of a third-party hunter. It is allowed and common: most featured launches are now self-hunted. It gives the maker full control over timing, copy and media.
Why self-hunting became normal
When hunter followers got strong notifications, a big hunter could give a launch a head start. Product Hunt reduced that effect, and makers realised that control over the launch matters more: you pick the date, write the copy, upload the media and can fix mistakes in the first minutes. Trackers such as hunted.space report that most featured launches are now self-hunted.
How to do it
- Use a real account with some history: comments, upvotes on other products, a complete profile.
- Create the launch draft and fill every field: name, launch tagline, description, topics, launch gallery, demo video, pricing and links.
- Add co-founders as makers.
- Schedule for 12:01 a.m. Pacific on your chosen day.
- Write the first comment in advance and post it as soon as you're live.
When a hunter still helps
If you have no audience and no history on the platform, an experienced hunter can review your page and share the launch with their followers. Treat it as advice and reach, not a ranking guarantee.
Example
A two-person team self-hunts on a Wednesday. Because they control the draft, they notice a broken screenshot at 12:05 a.m. and replace it before anyone visits. Small fixes like that are why most teams now launch their own products.
FAQ
Is self-hunting allowed on Product Hunt?
Yes. Makers can post their own products.
Does self-hunting hurt rankings?
No. Ranking depends on votes, comments and activity, not on who posted.
Can I schedule a self-hunted launch?
Yes. Drafts can be scheduled for a future date.