Get Featured On Product Hunt Diagnose and Fix Your Launch Status

Guide: How to Get Featured on Product Hunt (FAQ & Troubleshooting)

last updated: Jan 29, 2026
You launched, you rallied your network, and you have votes. But if your product is stuck in the "All" tab and missing from the homepage, you are effectively invisible. Here is how to diagnose the problem and fix your "Featured" status immediately.

TL;DR

Getting "Featured" on Product Hunt is the algorithmic gatekeeping process that moves a launched product from the hidden "All" tab to the default homepage feed where 90–99% of traffic exists.
  • Benchmark: 1–4 hours. This is the standard delay for new maker accounts to appear on the homepage.
  • Rule: Never share direct links to the voting page. Always link to the product page to avoid spam triggers.
  • Warning: Buying upvotes or using voting rings triggers a permanent shadowban.

How to read this: Use the diagnostic checklist below to identify red flags in your launch setup.

Glossary

  • The Homepage (Featured): The default view showing top products. Only curated products appear here.
  • The All Tab: The "New" feed. Every product goes here first. If you stay here, you failed the algorithm.
  • Shadowban: When your product exists but requires a direct search to find. It counts votes but shows no rank.
  • Hunter: A community member who posts a product. Historically critical, now largely optional for "Featured" eligibility.

How to troubleshoot featured status

Use this "Featured Diagnostic Checklist" to identify why your launch isn't showing up. If you fail any "Critical" check, your launch is likely flagged.
Diagnostic Check
Priority
The Fix
Unique URL
Critical
Ensure your primary link has not been hunted before. Subdomains (app.yoursite.com) count as unique.
Maker Verification
High
All tagged "Makers" must have verified PH accounts. Pending invites can stall the featured status.
Personal Profiles
High
Do your makers have profile photos and bios? Empty "egg" accounts look like bot farms to the algo.
Vote Velocity
Medium
Did you get 40–60 votes in 5 minutes from the same IP range? This triggers the spam filter.
Direct Link Traffic
Medium
If 90–100% of traffic is direct-to-page (no referral), the algo assumes you are botting.
Thumbnail Quality
Low
Low-effort GIFs or static text can get manually de-ranked. See Product Hunt thumbnail tips [https://dowhatmatter.com/guides/product-hunt-thumbnail-tips-examples].

Benchmarks

Understanding the numbers helps you panic less. Here is what to expect regarding timing and traffic.
  • Time to Feature: 1–4 hours for new accounts; 10–30 minutes for established Hunters.
  • Traffic Volume: A featured spot typically yields 1,000–3,000 unique visitors on launch day.

Sample Math:
If you secure a featured spot and drive 2,000 visitors to your site with a 5–8% conversion rate, you generate 100–160 leads. If you remain stuck in the "All" tab, you will likely see 20–50 visitors and 0–5 leads. The difference is binary.

Featured vs ranked

It is crucial to distinguish between being featured and being ranked.
  • Featured: You are visible on the homepage. You might be in position #15 or #30, but you are in the main feed.
  • Ranked: You are in the Top 5 or Top 10. You cannot be ranked without being featured first.
Being featured is the qualifying heat; being ranked is the final race. Focus on the qualifier first.

Risks

The algorithm is aggressive against manipulation. Avoid these common pitfalls to keep your domain safe.
  • The Shadowban: If you buy votes or use engagement pods, your domain may be permanently flagged. You will see votes increase, but your rank will remain hidden [Source: Product Hunt Community Guidelines].
  • The Newsletter Trap: Asking explicitly for "upvotes" in email blasts is a Terms violation. Ask for "support" or "feedback" instead.

Conclusion

Mastering the mechanics of how to get featured on Product Hunt is a necessary hygiene step, but it is not the whole picture. I see founders panic when they aren't on the homepage, thinking their business is dead. In reality, being featured just opens the door to traffic.

You can have perfect execution here, but if your Product Hunt launch strategy lacks a compelling offer, that traffic is worthless vanity data. You must pass the algorithm's hidden questions first to even get a chance at the plate. Are you ready to convert that traffic into $10k MRR, or are you just chasing upvotes?
Take the 90-second audit to calculate your probability of hitting $10k MRR in the next 90 days.
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FAQ
  • You:
    Why does my product show up in search but not on the homepage?
    Guide:
    You are likely in the "All" tab purgatory. This happens if the algorithm suspects spam, if your account is brand new (probation period), or if you violated a community guideline like link farming.
  • You:
    Can I get re-featured if I mess up?
    Guide:
    Rarely. Product Hunt allows a "re-launch" only after significant updates (usually 4–6 months later). If you are shadowbanned during a live launch, reach out to their support via Intercom immediately, but do not hold your breath.
  • You:
    I need a top Hunter to get featured, right?
    Guide:
    False. While a top Hunter alerts their followers, the algorithm does not require a "Super Hunter" to feature you. You can hunt your own product effectively.
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