Founder launch playbook · Updated 2026
How to launch your startup without wasting your launch day
This guide is built for founders who want more than a single spike of traffic. You will learn how to prepare assets, choose the right Aura++ tier, stack partner platforms, engage on launch day, and turn a listing into lasting SEO and community proof — whether you ship free, premium, or alongside Product Hunt.
The launch stack that actually compounds
Treat launches like a portfolio, not a lottery ticket. One strong primary hub plus timed amplifiers beats spraying fifty directories on day one.
1. Primary hub
Aura++ is your anchor: daily discovery, DR 69 backlinks on premium, AI launch blog, badges, comments, Hall of Fame, and re-launches. Schedule once, execute with intent.
2. Indie amplifiers
EarlyHunt, IndieHunt, MakerHunt, and SideHunt add weekly indie audiences in the same window as your main launch. Coordinate timing so mentions stack instead of competing.
3. Optional spike
Product Hunt, BetaList, or Uneed fit when you want a leaderboard moment. See our Product Hunt alternatives guide to pick the right secondary channel.
Launch timeline
What to do from two weeks before launch through the first week after
T−14 to T−7
Positioning & assets
- Write a one-sentence pitch: who it's for, what problem it solves, why now
- Prepare logo (square), 2–3 screenshots or a short demo GIF, and a 150–300 word description
- Set up analytics (Plausible, GA4, or PostHog) with UTM parameters ready
- Draft launch-day posts for X and LinkedIn — do not wait until launch morning
T−7 to T−3
Submit & schedule
- Submit on Aura++ and pick your launch date (8:00 AM UTC go-live)
- Stack partner launches (EarlyHunt, IndieHunt, MakerHunt, SideHunt) in the same week when possible
- Consider Product Hunt or BetaList if you need a second spike — see our platform comparison guide
- Enable the Featured Blog Post toggle if you want an AI launch story after go-live
T−1
Final checks
- Test signup flow, pricing page, and mobile layout
- Confirm badge embed if on a Free launch
- Brief your team on replying to comments within 2 hours on launch day
- Queue email to your waitlist or newsletter for launch morning
Launch day
Go live & engage
- Reply to every comment on Aura++ — engagement signals quality to visitors and algorithms
- Share your listing link with UTM tags on social and communities (indie hackers, Slack, Discord)
- Ask 5–10 friendly users to leave genuine feedback (not generic upvote spam)
- Monitor traffic spikes; fix any onboarding friction immediately
T+1 to T+7
Compound the win
- Publish or share your AI launch blog post when it goes live
- Submit to 2–3 relevant directories (developer tools → Uno Directory, etc.)
- Schedule a re-launch on Aura++ if momentum dipped after day 3
- Run free AEO checks so ChatGPT and Perplexity can cite you accurately
Pre-launch checklist
Most failed launches are not algorithm problems — they are readiness problems. Run through this list before you pick a date.
Product readiness
- Core workflow works end-to-end without manual hacks
- Pricing and onboarding are clear above the fold
- 404 and error states do not break trust
Launch page assets
- High-resolution logo and product imagery
- Description written for humans first (benefits, not feature dumps)
- Correct website URL, GitHub, and social links
Distribution
- UTM-tagged links for each channel you will post on
- Short launch thread or post drafted in advance
- Founder profile on Aura++ filled out (bio, photo, links)
SEO & AI visibility
- Title tag and meta description on your homepage
- Basic schema (Organization or SoftwareApplication) where relevant
- llms.txt or clear About page so AI crawlers understand your product
Aura++ launch tiers
Pick the tier that matches your SEO goals and budget. You can start free and upgrade before your slot if you change your mind.
Free
$0First launch, testing positioning, budget-conscious founders
- Daily launch slot (subject to availability)
- Listing, upvotes, and community comments
- Credibility badge (required on your site)
- Optional AI launch blog post (nofollow links in article)
- 3 user re-launches (30-day cooldown between each)
Backlinks: Nofollow by default; dofollow if you rank Top 3 daily or meet badge requirements
No-Follow
$0Visibility without backlink commitment on your homepage
- Same launch mechanics as Free without badge requirement
- Optional AI launch blog post (nofollow links)
- 3 user re-launches
Backlinks: Listing links are nofollow
Premium
$17Founders who want guaranteed SEO value and distribution
- Guaranteed dofollow backlink from DR 69 domain
- Priority scheduling (up to 60 days ahead)
- Social promotion on X, LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Pinterest
- AI launch blog with dofollow link to your website
- 10 user re-launches (14-day cooldown)
Backlinks: Guaranteed dofollow on your project listing
Premium Plus
$34Maximum launch-day exposure and fastest scheduling
- Everything in Premium
- Spotlight placement and strongest homepage visibility
- Shortest scheduling window (14 days ahead)
- 10 re-launches with 7-day cooldown
Backlinks: Guaranteed dofollow plus top-tier placement
Launch day playbook
Your listing goes live at 8:00 AM UTC on your scheduled date. The next 24 hours set the tone for comments, upvotes, and whether visitors convert.
First 2 hours
Reply to every comment. Pin your best reply on social. Fix any broken link or signup bug immediately.
Midday push
Post a genuine build story — what you shipped, who it helps, one screenshot. Link to your Aura++ listing with UTMs.
Community loops
Share in 1–2 relevant communities (not spam lists). Ask for feedback, not blind upvotes.
End of day
Thank early users publicly. Note top questions for FAQ updates. Plan tomorrow's follow-up post.
After launch: make it last
Launch blog & SEO
After your project moves to launched, we can generate an AI launch blog post (opt in at submit). Premium posts link to your site with dofollow; free and no-follow posts use nofollow on external links but still add branded content on our domain.
Backlinks typically influence rankings over 2–4 weeks. Pair the post with your own changelog or founder story for maximum crawlability.
Re-launches & second waves
Traffic dips after day 3 are normal. Use user re-launches on Aura++ to put your product back in rotation — 3 on free tiers, 10 on premium.
Ship a meaningful update (new feature, pricing change, integration) before each re-launch so repeat visitors have a reason to care.
Partner launch network
These platforms share the Aura++ ecosystem. Use them to reach indie, early-stage, maker, and side-project audiences without replacing your primary listing.
Aura++
Primary launch hub
Cadence: Daily slots (8:00 AM UTC)
Pricing: Free · No-Follow · Premium $17 · Premium Plus $34
DR 69 domain, launch blog, badges, optional dofollow backlinks
EarlyHunt
Early-stage amplifier
IndieHunt
Indie maker amplifier
MakerHunt
Maker community
SideHunt
Side-project spotlight
Be discoverable in AI search
Launches create mentions and links humans read. Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) helps ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini describe your product correctly when someone asks for tools in your category.
- Add clear schema and a plain-language About page
- Use our free AEO tools to audit AI crawl access
- Use Rank++ for deeper audits and multi-model prompt testing
Launch first, then optimize how AI assistants cite you — especially if you compete in crowded SaaS categories where buyers ask bots for recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to schedule your launch?
Submit once on Aura++, follow this playbook, and compound visibility with partner platforms and post-launch content.