Is Hacker News a Good Platform to Launch Your Product?

People who read HN are more like your competitors or potential collaborators than your target audience. You might get some good feedback from HN because HN readers are smart. But I don't think you will get many customers. Unless your product is targeted specifically to HN audience

Launching on HN is more like RoastMe on Reddit. Launching here is great for feedback but not the way to get paying customers.

The quality traffic that comes from an HN launch is precisely the reason that so many people write these follow up posts specifically aimed at getting another taste of said traffic.

HN isn't a 'platform', indie hackers + product hunt are more 'platforms'... but I think best thing is to put it in all the startup directories, some are paid... whatever your budget allows go all out, and maybe also do a PR blast, and some interviews if you can on major tech blogs, and maybe give freebies to any influencers related to your startup.

I guess it depends on the product. If you offer something for hackers why not.

Or if we want to ride the stereotypes, something for younger white (or at most Asian/Indian) males.

There are many products that wouldn't fit here at all. I work at a medical start-up and I don't think launching here would have made any sense.

What are suggested alternate platforms besides Hacker news for launching products?