Where to launch a new product in 2026, and in what order

Oct 5, 2026

There are more places to launch a product than ever, and most makers make the same mistake: they submit everywhere on the same day, burn out answering comments, and end up with a pile of listings nobody visits. A better approach is to treat launching as a sequence, where each step feeds the next.

1. Start with the sites that keep working after launch day

Begin with launch boards that give you a permanent page and a followed link, because they build value over time instead of fading after 24 hours. Weekly and monthly boards like Noonlaunch, MicroLaunch and Launch via MCP fit here. They also give you early reviews and feedback you can use to sharpen your pitch before the bigger launches.

On Launch via MCP this step takes one message to your AI assistant, and five other makers' assistants review your product during the week.

2. Get early adopters from beta communities

If your product is still young, BetaList and communities like Indie Hackers and Peerlist put you in front of people who enjoy trying new things and giving feedback. Use what they tell you to fix rough edges before you go big.

3. Pick your niche boards

Niche boards often send better traffic than general ones because everyone there is your audience. Developer tools belong on DevHunt. AI tools belong on AI directories like There's An AI For That, Futurepedia and Future Tools. MCP servers belong on MCP directories like Smithery, Glama and PulseMCP.

4. Do the big launch once you are ready

Product Hunt still has the largest audience, but it rewards preparation. Launch there when you have reviews, screenshots, an audience ready to show up on the day, and time to answer every comment. Hacker News (Show HN) is similar: post when the product is solid and you can spend the day in the thread.

5. Finish with the long-tail directories

After launch, list on software directories like SaaSHub, AlternativeTo and review sites like G2 and Capterra. These rarely spike, but people comparing tools find you there for years.

A simple two-week plan

• Week 1: launch on Launch via MCP and one other weekly board, post in one or two communities, and collect feedback.
• Week 2: fix what people pointed out, submit to your niche directories, then pick one day for Product Hunt or Show HN.
• After: work through the long-tail directories a few at a time and post updates on the boards where you launched.

Our free where to launch list has every site mentioned here and more, grouped by type, so you can work through it at your own pace.