Is there a best date/time to submit projects to HN?

Question

I've been working on a project that I think is really cool over the last couple weeks. I'm busy productionizing the project so that I can submit it to HN in a "Show HN" post, so you folks can all play with it.I'd like to avoid a situation where my project gets buried under a flood of other posts and nobody sees it. I'd also like to avoid a situation where I submit the project at a time that nobody is active on HN, and nobody sees it.For folks who have submitted projects, or dang, what is the best time to submit projects to HN for maximum engagement? Thanks.

theGeatZhopa · Accepted Answer

As fellow readers already pointed you to and gave you some answers.. my duty is to raise concerns.
If everyone is going to a place, then the place is nothing special anymore. If everyone wear the same, the wore isn't special anymore. Everyone has the same aim as you. The aim is the same like "when to send the newsletter out, so it has the best reading reach?"
But, if everyone, who want his newsletter to be read, follow some guru tips, they land all in the same inbox at the same time.
So.. what's more important is to have a good catchy subject and actually offer something.
The posting time is irrelevant then.
May be you think twice on marketing. It's good work invested.
Peace.

sp332 · Answer

https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&qu...A bit before noon most days, just after midnight on Mondays.

Leftium · Answer

God forbid you need a new account for your project, make sure there is a way to use/preview your app without creating an account. Check out other "Show HN" comments to learn why: https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=pastYear&type=show_hn
Generally, having a guest/anonymous account that can be upgraded to a full account after the user decides it's worth saving their work more permanently is good UX.
Also "Show HN" posts get a slight advantage because they stay alive a little longer on: https://news.ycombinator.com/show
(Currently ~3 days vs. 1 day on front page)

ggm · Answer

HN is read worldwide. There are obvious peaks and troughs. I would suggest that timing for US west coast breakfast/morning, or Western European breakfast Morning or Asia (Japan-Korea-HongKong-Singapore) breakfast morning wasn't bad, but would obviously favour a demographic who want to see fresh HN with their kibble.
I have never posted any story with regard to time of day. But I've also never felt I had a success flood.
I have been told to consider re-posting after a week or two if it doesn't garner reactions. Inside that timeframe you might be seen as a being a bit over-eager/spammy.

throwaway211 · Answer

'Show' seems 'big' enough for most things to get to /show for a day. Which is super.
Perhaps choose a time where if there's traction, you'll be there on your project to troubleshoot unexpected problems (though it could be 10k hits, or it could be 100 hits, so do have some hope limitation).
If it's really interesting for you, keep posting about it though a blog about a feature; passion burns through fog.

throwaway38375 · Answer

Something useful, submitted with good intentions, will be received well, regardless of when you submit it.

cpach · Answer

I&rsquo;d say around ~10 am EST.

alphabet9000 · Answer

post it on lobsters first, then if its good, someone else will probably repost it here without your having to do anything, and then handful of people that saw it over there will likely upvote it on here also. good luck

xspiral · Answer

I've been wondering the same! From what I've seen, weekdays, especially Tues-Thurs, are the best. Early morning EST seems to catch the most eyes. Avoid weekends and late nights if you can. Good luck with your project, looking forward to seeing it!

Is there a best date/time to submit projects to HN?

https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&qu...
A bit before noon most days, just after midnight on Mondays.

Something useful, submitted with good intentions, will be received well, regardless of when you submit it.

I’d say around ~10 am EST.

post it on lobsters first, then if its good, someone else will probably repost it here without your having to do anything, and then handful of people that saw it over there will likely upvote it on here also. good luck

I've been wondering the same! From what I've seen, weekdays, especially Tues-Thurs, are the best. Early morning EST seems to catch the most eyes. Avoid weekends and late nights if you can. Good luck with your project, looking forward to seeing it!