How to Record Your Mac App for a Product Hunt Launch

Your Product Hunt Video Is Your Pitch

On Product Hunt, your gallery is your sales page. Visitors spend an average of 12 seconds on a product page before deciding to upvote, click through, or scroll past. Your video needs to communicate your app's value in that window.

The good news: Product Hunt audiences are tech-savvy. They don't need hand-holding or marketing fluff. They want to see what your app does, how it looks, and why it's interesting. A clean demo video of your actual product beats a flashy brand video every time.

Product Hunt Gallery Specs

Product Hunt's gallery accepts images and videos. Here are the specs that work best:

Video

• Recommended dimensions: 1270 × 760 pixels (the gallery display size). 1920×1080 (16:9) also works great and is easier to repurpose.
• Format: MP4 (H.264). PH also accepts GIFs but video quality is much better.
• Length: 60-90 seconds is ideal. PH doesn't enforce a strict limit, but viewers drop off hard after 90 seconds.
• Auto-play: Videos auto-play muted in the gallery. Make sure the first few seconds are visually interesting without sound.
• File size: Keep it under 50MB. Compress with HandBrake if needed.

Gallery Images

• Dimensions: 1270 × 760 pixels (exact PH display size)
• Format: PNG or JPG
• Quantity: Up to 8 items (mix of images and videos). Use at least 4-5.

What Makes a Great Product Hunt Video

After analyzing the top 50 PH launches from the past year (by upvotes) for Mac/iOS apps, clear patterns emerge:

1. Start with the "Wow" Moment

Don't build up to your best feature — show it immediately. The PH audience is browsing dozens of products. Your first 3 seconds need to hook them. If your app has a visually impressive interaction or a satisfying animation, lead with that.

2. Show Real Usage

The best launch videos show the actual app being used, not mockups or animations. Screen recordings with real content build credibility. Motion graphics showing UI concepts feel like vaporware.

3. Be Concise

60-90 seconds. The top-performing videos average 72 seconds. Every second should show something new. If you're lingering on a screen, cut it.

4. Use Text Overlays

Since videos auto-play muted, text overlays are essential. Brief captions explain what's happening: "Record your app" → "Add device frames" → "Export for any platform." Think of them as silent movie title cards.

5. Add Music

Even though auto-play is muted, many viewers unmute. A good background track makes your video feel polished. Keep it subtle — upbeat but not distracting.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your PH Launch Video

Step 1: Script It (10 minutes)

Write 4-6 key moments you want to show. For each, write a text overlay (3-6 words). This is your script.

Example for a note-taking app:

1. "Write without distractions" — show the clean editor
2. "Organize with tags" — show the tagging UI
3. "Find anything instantly" — show search
4. "Sync everywhere" — show the same note on iPhone and Mac
5. "Try it free" — end card with your app icon

Step 2: Record (15 minutes)

Record each scene separately. This is much easier than one continuous take. You'll combine them in editing.

For Mac apps: Record the specific window, not your full screen. You don't want your desktop wallpaper or menu bar in the video.

For iOS apps: Record from the Simulator at the resolution you want. If you want to show iPhone and Mac side-by-side, record each separately and composite them.

For both: Use real, good-looking content. No "test" data, no "Lorem ipsum," no empty states. Fill your app with content that makes it look great.

Step 3: Edit (20 minutes)

• Trim each clip to 10-15 seconds
• Add device frames — this is huge for PH. A bare screen recording looks amateur; in a MacBook frame, it looks like a real product.
• Add text overlays from your script
• Add background music
• Add your app icon + name as an end card (3-5 seconds)

Step 4: Export and Upload

Export at 1920×1080 (16:9), H.264, 30fps. This gives you a crisp video that works on PH and can be repurposed for Twitter, your landing page, etc.

Common PH Video Mistakes

• Starting with a logo animation: Nobody cares about your logo. Start with the product.
• Too long: If it's over 90 seconds, you're probably showing too much. Cut it.
• No text overlays: Videos auto-play muted. Without text, viewers don't know what they're watching.
• Full desktop recording: Your app is a tiny window on a 5K desktop. Crop tight to the window or use a device frame.
• Generic stock music: The ukulele-and-claps track that every startup uses. Pick something with more personality.
• Showing the signup flow: Nobody wants to watch someone create an account. Start with the user already logged in.

Hosting and Embedding

For PH itself, you upload directly to their platform. But you'll also want to use this video elsewhere:

• Your landing page: Host on your own server or use a service like Bunny.net CDN. Avoid YouTube embeds on landing pages — they load slowly and look clunky.
• Twitter/X: Upload natively (not as a link). Native videos get 10x more engagement than YouTube links on Twitter.
• Reddit: Upload as a native Reddit video in relevant subreddits.
• LinkedIn: If your app targets professionals, LinkedIn native video performs well.

Repurposing Your PH Video

Don't create separate videos for every platform. Start with one great 60-90 second video, then:

• App Store preview: Cut the best 20-25 seconds and export at device-specific resolution
• Twitter teaser: The first 15-30 seconds with a strong hook
• Landing page hero: The full video, auto-playing muted
• GIF previews: Export 3-5 second loops of the best moments for use in emails, blog posts, README files

Launch Day Checklist

Before you hit "Launch" on Product Hunt, make sure your video:

• ✅ Starts with your best feature (not a logo or splash screen)
• ✅ Has text overlays for muted auto-play
• ✅ Is under 90 seconds
• ✅ Shows real content (not test data)
• ✅ Includes background music
• ✅ Is exported at 1920×1080 or 1270×760
• ✅ File size is under 50MB
• ✅ Is the first item in your gallery
• ✅ You've tested playback on PH's preview page