Product Hunt launch video: how to make one that gets upvotes
What a Product Hunt launch video should show, how long it should be, where it goes in the gallery, and a launch-day checklist for founders.
By the LaunchDemo teamUpdated 4 min read
Short answer
A Product Hunt launch video should be 30 to 60 seconds, open on the outcome, show your real product in 2 or 3 screens and end with one call to action. Upload it to YouTube, add the link to your gallery's first slot, and make it work with the sound off.
Key takeaways
- The video sits in your gallery. Make it the first item so it's what visitors see.
- Visitors already chose to click, so you have 30 to 60 seconds, not 5.
- Show the product doing the job. Hunters vote on what they can see.
- Cut a vertical and square version for X and LinkedIn launch posts.
- Prepare everything a week early. Launch day is for replying to comments.
Why a Product Hunt launch needs a video
Your Product Hunt page has a few seconds to explain what you built. A tagline and screenshots can tell people what it is. A video shows it working, which is what makes someone upvote, comment or sign up.
The same video does double duty on launch day: you'll post it on X, LinkedIn and in your newsletter to send people to your Product Hunt page.
Where the video goes on Product Hunt
Product Hunt shows media in a gallery at the top of your launch page. You add a video by linking it from YouTube in the launch form, alongside your gallery images. Put the video first so it's the first thing visitors see.
- Upload: publish the video on YouTube (public or unlisted) and paste the link.
- Thumbnail: set a custom YouTube thumbnail that shows the product, not a black frame.
- Gallery images: add 3 to 5 screenshots after the video for people who don't press play.
What to show in a Product Hunt video
- The outcome (0–5 s): what your product does for someone, in one line.
- The problem (5–10 s): the annoying way people do it today.
- The product (10–40 s): 2 or 3 core flows, using your real UI.
- What's new (40–50 s): a launch-only offer or the feature you're proudest of.
- Call to action (50–60 s): your URL, and a nudge to try it.
Skip the long founder intro. If you want a personal touch, put it in your maker comment instead. That's where the Product Hunt community expects it.
How long should a Product Hunt video be?
Aim for 30 to 60 seconds. Visitors on your page are curious, so you can show a little more than in a social feed. Past 90 seconds, most people stop watching. If you need to show more, link a longer demo from your maker comment.
Product Hunt video specs that work
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Shape | 16:9 landscape |
| Resolution | 1920 × 1080 or higher |
| File | MP4, H.264 video, AAC audio |
| Length | 30–60 seconds |
| Hosting | YouTube link |
| Sound | Music plus on-screen text; works muted |
For the launch posts that send traffic to Product Hunt, export a 1:1 square for LinkedIn and X feeds and a 9:16 vertical for Stories and Reels. Our social media video sizes guide has the full list.
Product Hunt launch checklist
One week before
- Finish the launch video and upload it to YouTube.
- Write the tagline (short and specific) and the description.
- Prepare 3 to 5 gallery images and a square thumbnail.
- Draft the maker comment: who you are, why you built it, what's free.
- Line up supporters to visit and leave genuine feedback, not just votes.
Launch day
- Launches reset at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time. Go live early to use the full day.
- Post the video on X and LinkedIn with a link to your Product Hunt page.
- Reply to every comment, fast and personally.
- Share progress during the day, not just once in the morning.
After launch
- Put the video on your homepage. It's your best explainer now.
- Thank everyone who commented and follow up with new sign-ups.
- Reuse the cut in onboarding emails and sales decks.
Mistakes that cost upvotes
- A 3-minute talking-head video with the product appearing at minute 2.
- Mockups instead of the real product. Makers spot this instantly.
- Tiny text that can't be read in the gallery's player.
- Asking for upvotes in the video. Ask people to try it instead.
Make your Product Hunt video from your link
LaunchDemo turns your product URL into a launch video in minutes. It captures your real UI, writes the script from your site and cuts every scene on the beat. Export 16:9 for Product Hunt, then 9:16 and 1:1 for your launch posts from the same edit. Free to start.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a video to launch on Product Hunt?
No, it's optional, but a short video shows your product working in a way screenshots can't, and it gives you the same asset for your launch posts on X and LinkedIn.
Can I upload an MP4 directly to Product Hunt?
Product Hunt's gallery takes a video as a YouTube link. Upload your MP4 to YouTube, public or unlisted, and paste the link in the launch form.
What time should I launch on Product Hunt?
The daily leaderboard resets at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, so launching right then gives you the full 24 hours.
Should my Product Hunt video have a voiceover?
It helps but isn't required. Many visitors watch muted, so make sure on-screen text tells the whole story on its own.