Ask HN: What drives comments on "Show HN" threads?

by calgaryeng on 8/30/2012, 7:30 PM with 6 comments

Hi there,

I've mostly (/completely) been a lurker on this site. I posted a Show HN the other day for my app, and I only got one comment (it was very useful though).

I've looked at other Show HN's that make it to the 1st or 2nd page, and couldn't discern any noticiable difference between theirs and mine.

Just looking for some advice as to what works if you want input from the HN community.

Thanks!

  • by eli on 8/30/2012, 7:33 PM

    Some of it is probably just random luck. Stories that don't make it to the first page don't get many comments, and there are way too many new posts for them all to make the front page.

    But I think that the fact that your site is about retirement planning (a decidedly unsexy topic -- no offense!) probably also plays a role.

  • by logn on 9/1/2012, 11:28 AM

    So right now HN has Main, New, and Ask. I'd like to see a top-level "Show". I think that would help us all a lot. I've experienced the same thing.

    Sometimes I'm in the mood to read tech articles so I visit the main page. Sometimes I like freeform discussions so I visit Ask. And if I were ever in the mood to review people's sites I'd certainly like a top-level menu button.

  • by sebg on 8/31/2012, 12:47 PM

    Just as a note - it also helps if you put your contact email or information on your profile. That way people can reach out to you as well if they have questions or thoughts about what you are doing.

    ps. - I went back and found your post and left you my thoughts. Good luck!

  • by Sharma on 8/31/2012, 4:13 AM

    Also I feel sometimes posting a link to a blog with some interesting story and features of your site can help too.But as eli said it is mostly luck!