Can you build a strong community on Product Hunt in 2026?
TL;DR: Yes, you can build a strong community.
But if I break it down a bit:
It won’t be as easy as it was in 2022 when I started (and the platform had already existed for almost a decade). At that time:
– There were fewer people (less noise/friction and more attention)
– Less product overload
– A more subtle atmosphere
But things have changed. The platform has grown, AI has arrived, and everything has sped up. Sometimes it can feel like you’re disappearing in the noise.
Still, you can stand out – by showing up every day.
Only a handful of people manage to do that consistently (see the streak leaderboard).
If I were starting to build a Product Hunt community this year, I would:
→ Comment more under established threads from well-known authors
→ Give feedback on products and support makers (proactively find out who is launching and support them)
→ Post in forums, focusing more on specific, product-related forums
→ Stay authentic (avoid long AI-generated responses that nobody has time to read; keep it short and real)
What advice would you give to people just starting on this platform?
Replies
Nika, I think now it's hard to build a consistent community here on PH.
An making all those 4 tasks that you've mentioned, every day will take time.
P.S: question for you: from total revenue of your app - what percentage of users came from your PH community (just a raw percentage)... I think your answer will make sense for many of us to undertand if a strong PH community will help to grow our products.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@tornion I know, that's the trick. Not many people do that thing consistently for several years, I admit, it is time-demanding :) But I like it :)
The app is not mine, and PH is not the main channel, we track totally different things (ads and ASO mainly) :)
its very hard to stand out these days.😩
minimalist phone: creating folders
@deepmishra1283 But it is not impossible. You need to find your own unique way ;)
I am starting today and just saw your post, What should be the first step for me?
minimalist phone: creating folders
@mubeen_afzal_chattha You already did it! Started commenting ;)
And how long does it usually take to see real results from commenting and interacting? Let's say I commit to showing up every day — engaging in discussions, supporting launches, talking with people in comments. How long before it starts translating into followers and attention for my own product? A month? Three months? Curious about your experience.
minimalist phone: creating folders
@valentina_konuhova I comment on / am here around 30 – 40 min per day, doing it 3+ years, people started noticing me after 6 months approximatelly, doing it consistently :)
@busmark_w_nika consistency is the key. I see. Thank you for sharing your stats, Nika
minimalist phone: creating folders
@valentina_konuhova You're welcome :)
The showing up every day thing is real — but I'd add: it only works if you're picky about where you show up. A comment that adds something nobody else said is worth 10 replies to the first thing in your feed. For people just starting: find 3-4 makers in adjacent spaces, follow them closely, and invest in those relationships first before trying to be everywhere. It compounds differently than broadcasting. What's been your personal cutoff for when a thread is worth your time vs scrolling past?
minimalist phone: creating folders
@giammbo I can see you are active there. Can you see any results from that?
Re my activity – I try to answer as much as possible because I value people's engagement. But when it feels like AI, I only like the comment and keep scrolling :)