How to Make a Hacker News Launch Video That Gets Upvotes (2026)
By the Maybe Labs teamA Hacker News launch lives or dies in the first comment thread. A video in your Show HN post gives reviewers something to watch in 60 seconds instead of parsing a landing page. But HN audiences are skeptical of polish without substance — the video needs to explain what you built, show it working, and skip the marketing fluff. Here's the format that works.
What HN audiences respond to
- Clarity over polish — explain what it does in the first 5 seconds.
- Show the product, not a mood reel — UI in motion beats abstract animation.
- No buzzwords — 'AI-powered platform' loses; 'turns release notes into a video' wins.
- Under 60 seconds — HN readers won't watch a 3-minute brand film.
- Sound-off friendly — most watch muted in the feed.
The Show HN video structure
| Beat | Duration | Content |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | 5s | One plain sentence on screen |
| The problem | 10s | What you were trying to solve |
| The product | 25s | Show it working — UI, output, speed |
| Who it's for | 10s | One audience, one use case |
| Try it | 10s | URL or waitlist link |
HN launch video specs
- Format: MP4, 16:9, under 60 seconds.
- Resolution: 1080p minimum.
- File size: under 50MB for fast loading in the thread.
- Host on your site or YouTube — link in the Show HN post, not embedded in the comment.
- Also export 9:16 for Twitter/X cross-posting on launch day.
Product Hunt and HN share launch-day traffic but different audiences. See Product Hunt launch video guide and Product Hunt video specs for the PH-specific format.
How to make an HN launch video in one sitting
Write a five-line brief: what it is, the problem, how it works, who it's for, the URL. Generate with a prompt-to-video tool — no screen recording, no After Effects. Review that the on-screen copy is plain and specific. Export 16:9 and 9:16. Post the link in your Show HN comment within the first hour. See launch day video for the full launch-day checklist.
Hacker News launch video FAQ
Do I need a video for a Show HN launch?
Not required, but recommended. A clear 60-second video increases engagement in the comment thread and helps reviewers understand your product faster.
How long should an HN launch video be?
Under 60 seconds. HN readers are scanning, not settling in. Front-load what the product does.
Should I use an AI avatar for an HN launch video?
No. HN audiences prefer seeing the product over a talking head. Show the UI, the output, and the speed — not a presenter.
Show HN reviewers want to see what you built, not a brand film. Describe your product in plain language to Maybe Labs and get a 60-second video that explains and shows — in one sitting.
Make your next launch in motion
Maybe Labs turns prompts into product launch and update videos: story, assets, and final cut, start to end.
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