Is Product Hunt Getting Stagnant?

Over the years, Product Hunt has served as the go-to platform for launching, discovering, and discussing new products in tech. However, many users and makers now wonder if the platform’s growth and engagement are plateauing. Let's dive into the data and potential causes for this perceived stagnancy: Decline in User Engagement: While Product Hunt initially saw high levels of community interaction, recent reports suggest that user engagement—measured by comments, upvotes, and community participation—may be declining. Fewer upvotes and discussions on popular launches indicate a dip in community interest and could mean the novelty of the platform is wearing off. Increase in Similar Products: A noticeable increase in similar, sometimes repetitive products has led to "discovery fatigue." Research by TechCrunch notes that 35% of recent Product Hunt launches are in saturated categories like AI tools and SaaS apps, which could be contributing to a sense of redundancy among users. Competition from Alternative Platforms: Other platforms, like Indie Hackers, Twitter, and LinkedIn, have become popular for product launches, diverting traffic from Product Hunt. Data from SimilarWeb shows a slight dip in Product Hunt's web traffic over the last year, while competitors have seen increased user engagement, especially in niche or community-driven segments. Less Value for Makers: Recent surveys of makers reveal that some feel Product Hunt no longer delivers as much value for launches, especially for products outside of trending categories. With a drop in active users and visibility challenges due to platform saturation, the ROI for makers may be diminishing. Product Hunt’s Own Evolution: With its acquisition by AngelList, some users have felt Product Hunt has lost its original "startup discovery" feel, shifting towards a more commercial approach that may alienate core users looking for authentic engagement. Have you noticed a decline in the value of launching on Product Hunt? Is Product Hunt still effective for indie makers, or is it primarily benefiting big-budget, trending products? What can Product Hunt do to revive engagement and re-establish itself as a discovery powerhouse?