Key takeaways from the ongoing Indie maker drama and issue with Product Hunt

Engagement Over Sales: PH has shifted from being about driving sales to focusing more on community feedback and engagement. Indie Charm Fading: Longtime users miss the days when indie makers were the stars. Now, polished, corporate-backed products seem to dominate. Editorial Influence: It’s not just upvotes that matter anymore. Editorial decisions seem to play a bigger role in what gets noticed on PH. Vanity Metrics: Success on PH can sometimes feel like a vanity project—lots of upvotes but not necessarily real user interest or product adoption. Strategic Value: Launching on PH is still worth it, especially for feedback and visibility, even if it doesn’t lead to instant sales. Discovery Shifts: The days of finding fresh, innovative products are fading as bigger brands with better marketing take over. 'Circle Jerk' Vibe: Some users feel like the interactions on PH are becoming more about mutual back-patting than genuine interest. Fake Engagement Worries: There’s growing suspicion that fake upvotes and comments are undermining the platform’s authenticity. These thoughts reflect how PH has changed over the years, prompting both makers and users to rethink their approach to launches and engagement.