The hottest Product Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Design Topics

Eat a Bit of Candy

Path Nine • 37 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Product
  1. Don't take life too seriously, indulge in what you love like Charlie Munger enjoyed candy.
  2. Explore the Cognitive Bias Codex for a roadmap to understanding how we think, live, and work.
  3. Check out reading material like 'Seeking Wisdom' or 'Poor Charlie's Almanack' to enhance decision-making skills and become a better thinker.

Simplifying your product strategy is a competitive advantage

amivora • 11 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Product
  1. Keeping your product simple can help you stand out in a crowded market. People appreciate products that are easy to understand and use.
  2. It's important to focus on what makes your product essential, instead of trying to add too many features. This helps users quickly see the value.
  3. Prioritizing what to keep and what to cut is key. If you're not willing to cut things that seem valuable, you might not be prioritizing deeply enough.

Gemini 2.0 Pro, Diffusion model for video restoration, OmniHuman , o3-mini, Deep Research in ChatGPT and Open-source DeepResearch, GitHub Agent mode, Arena-Price Plot, Pikadditions and more

AI Brews • 10 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Product
  1. Gemini 2.0 Pro has been updated, bringing new features and improvements to Google's AI offerings.
  2. Topaz Labs introduced a diffusion model that can enhance old videos to high-resolution, making it easier to restore low-quality footage.
  3. ByteDance's new AI system, OmniHuman, animates photographs into realistic videos, leading to more lifelike movements and speech from still images.
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Five product design concepts

A Bit Gamey • 20 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🪑 Design Product
  1. Simple design is often harder than complex design but worth it in the end. It's about stripping away unnecessary elements and focusing on core functionality.
  2. First principles thinking, 80/20 rule, MVP, and understanding user journey are important product design concepts. They help in focusing on what truly matters to users and building valuable digital products.
  3. When designing digital products, prioritize simplicity, test underlying assumptions, focus on high-value features, build MVPs for initial user feedback, and ensure a smooth user journey.

Introducing Substack Notes

Substack Blog • 32 HN points • 05 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Product
  1. Substack is introducing Substack Notes to allow short-form content and recommendations within the platform.
  2. In this subscription-based network, creators are rewarded for valuable work and the focus is on converting casual readers to paying subscribers.
  3. Substack aims to create a constructive discussion space by allowing users to control their subscription universe, keeping out trolls and encouraging valuable contributions.

Unreasonable Support: Design for the Unhappy Path

The Kahneman Bot • 2 HN points • 19 Feb 24
🪑 Design Product
  1. Designing for the unhappy path in user experiences is crucial for creating user loyalty and retention.
  2. Unhappy path design can trigger a sense of reciprocity in users, leading to positive responses to issues or faults.
  3. Providing what users perceive as unreasonable levels of support can result in long-term loyalty and cost-effective retention strategies.

#7 Non-human design, chindogu & veneers

Design Lobster • 59 implied HN points • 13 Mar 20
🪑 Design Product
  1. Consider the needs and impacts on non-human entities in the design process to avoid creating unsustainable systems that prioritize human wants at the cost of the environment.
  2. Be cautious of overengineering solutions and missing the bigger picture in design by reflecting on the concept of chindogu, which are eccentric inventions that may not be practical despite addressing minor issues.
  3. Focus on deep exploration and understanding in design rather than just applying a superficial finish, as good design emerges from a thorough understanding of the problem.

Shipt: Moving from startup to mature product organization

Behind the Product • 1 HN point • 13 Feb 24
💼 Business Product
  1. The shift from project-led to product-led culture is important for growth and longevity.
  2. Structuring a product and tech organization around market segments and operational functions is crucial for a multi-sided marketplace like Shipt.
  3. Emphasizing outcome-focused and metrics-driven problem-solving, and actively seeking and incorporating customer feedback are key priorities for Shipt's product organization.

The Art & Science of Demand Generation

Market-ed-it • 11 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
💼 Business Product
  1. Demand generation is not just about capturing existing demand but also about creating new demand by educating the audience about your product or service.
  2. To create original demand, educate your audience about how your product solves a pain point they may not even be aware of.
  3. Manipulating existing demand involves strategies like content marketing, influencer partnerships, and understanding where your target audience spends time.

Product and Platform Engineers

Optimism (for the web) • 10 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Product
  1. Frontend developers are no longer just writing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  2. Backend developers are often faced with choosing between writing more frontend code or focusing on software infrastructure.
  3. Product Engineers work on creating great user experiences while Platform Engineers focus on supporting the product's infrastructure.

Roundup: Google Gemini, "Service-as-a-Software" and A New Era for SaaS Margins

Good Better Best • 2 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Product
  1. Google has bundled its Gemini AI with Workspace plans, making it cheaper for users but risking lower profits. This strategy may help them gain more customers quickly.
  2. Human support will be essential for using AI effectively. Even with AI tools, we still need humans to refine the results and handle complex tasks.
  3. Different companies are adopting various pricing models for their AI services. Google's approach focuses on getting users to adopt their technology, while Microsoft is looking to charge more based on usage.

On the Limits of One Mind

TeamCraft • 6 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
💼 Business Product
  1. When a CTO takes over as a CPO, it can lead to negative outcomes for both engineering and product functions.
  2. Expecting one individual to excel in both technology and product domains can be detrimental due to cognitive limits and lack of focus.
  3. A dual CTO/CPO role can result in a lack of product thinking, bias towards technical solutions, strategic edge loss, communication challenges, and difficulty in balancing responsibilities.

Briefing: AI Capabilities in SaaS

Good Better Best • 2 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
💼 Business Product
  1. AI is now being used in many areas of businesses, not just for creating content. Companies are finding various ways to utilize AI across different teams like product, customer support, and engineering.
  2. Most companies that offer AI features are making money from them, especially in content generation and editing. Many also earn from capabilities related to data analysis and customer interactions.
  3. The payment willingness for these AI capabilities is growing. Although some features seem common and cheap, if they can significantly save time or replace human tasks, their value might increase quickly.

Design portfolio of 2023

A Generalist newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🪑 Design Product
  1. Learn how to level up your design portfolio with a genius tactic demonstrated by Marco.
  2. Consider whether to prioritize building an audience or a product first.
  3. Be cautious of the "Noise Bottleneck" where consuming more information might not always lead to more valuable insights.

The Generalist Unicorn

A Generalist newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Product
  1. Being a generalist allows for high leverage in times of AI.
  2. Hybridizing expertise in multiple areas can lead to unique contributions.
  3. Generalized specialists like Shakespeare and Da Vinci excel by adapting to various environments.

My first $10,000 Internet dollars

A Generalist newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
💼 Business Product
  1. Jim H.'s advice: Don't fall into the build trap when starting an online business.
  2. To be successful in product management, understand how human beings think and feel.
  3. Overcome challenges in designing for B2B and Enterprise SaaS by following pointers in the design process.

Ask Who It's For

Tigerfeathers! • 4 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
💼 Business Product
  1. Gary Dahl's success with the Pet Rock stemmed from targeting a specific audience that resonated with his product.
  2. Identifying a smallest viable audience is crucial for entrepreneurs and creators to tailor their offerings effectively.
  3. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, focus on finding the right audience that is already interested in what you have to offer.

Final intermission: Vote on Season 7

Mehdeeka • 1 implied HN point • 16 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Product
  1. The author is seeking input through polls for content in Season 7.
  2. The author is looking for people to test a product marketing methodology.
  3. The author shares a link roundup including articles about Instagram algorithm in 2024 and AI features for ads.

😇 B1G1

Good Business, Better World • 1 HN point • 24 Feb 23
💼 Business Product
  1. B1G1 transforms businesses' actions into donations for various causes.
  2. B1G1 has made a significant impact, providing meals, support, and medical access globally.
  3. B1G1's model allows companies to select causes to support, triggering donations through business activities.

The Growth Desert (and how to cross it)

Organic SaaS Growth • 0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
💼 Business Product
  1. Many early-stage SaaS founders hit a "growth desert" around $1k–$15k MRR where early hacks stop working, churn rises, and revenue stalls.
  2. Fixing it requires a repeatable system instead of random marketing — focus on three engines: retention (a Shadow Concierge protocol), pricing that targets a "Level 3 Niche", and building one scalable acquisition channel.
  3. There’s a limited founding-member option offering a discounted price and 1-on-1 email support for a small cohort in exchange for honest feedback.

FAQ: Product and Design in early stage startups

Curious product • 0 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
💼 Business Product
  1. Having a full-time designer is often more beneficial for early stage startups than having a full-time product manager.
  2. In a product squad, engineering, product, and design roles should be balanced and share accountability for the product's success.
  3. Deciding whether product and design should be under the same leadership depends on factors like team development and domain knowledge.

How Notion Used Community to Scale to 20M+ Users

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 10 May 23
💼 Business Product
  1. Notion used community to scale to over 20 million users, proving the importance of leveraging community for growth.
  2. Community can be a versatile tool for startups, serving as both a marketing distribution channel and a source of product feedback.
  3. Building a strong community requires authenticity, relationship-building, and understanding different user preferences, and it can significantly impact product development.

The Epic Fall of Quibi, a $1.8B Funded Startup shuts down in 6 months

Founder Fuck-ups • 0 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
💼 Business Product
  1. Quibi, a $1.8B funded startup, shut down in 6 months due to various reasons like poor content quality, bad timing with the pandemic, and slow adaptation to market changes.
  2. The founders of Quibi, despite raising significant funding, failed to create content that stood out and did not differentiate themselves enough from competitors like Netflix and YouTube.
  3. Quibi's high subscription fee, lack of value for users, and an internal founder dispute also contributed to its downfall, highlighting the importance of understanding consumer needs and effective leadership.

Coming soon

Reconsideration • 0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Product
  1. The post is a preview for an upcoming newsletter called Reconsideration, covering topics related to tech and product.
  2. The newsletter is set to launch on Dec 14, 2022.
  3. There are options available to share the post on platforms like Facebook and via email.

War Stories - How I turned around a paralyzed Product organization into a rapid delivery engine

Joseph Gefroh • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Product
  1. The Product Management organization struggled with defining and prioritizing work, leading to underutilization of engineers and ill-defined requirements.
  2. The Product Managers faced challenges due to analysis paralysis, fear of making mistakes, and a desire for full consensus before decisions.
  3. To address the issues, a bold approach was taken to focus on building the muscle of delivering change, removing fear barriers, and banning A/B tests to prevent decision-making delays.

API-Tech + Product

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 16
🕹 Technology Product
  1. Successful companies can work on and sell two different but connected things at the same time, like API-Tech + Product.
  2. Companies that initially stand out and succeed often have clarity, determination, and quality in their foundational choices.
  3. To build an empire, focus on creating unique assets, game changers, and barriers that set your company apart from others.

Engineers Want Problems, Not Solutions

Tribal Knowledge • 0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Product
  1. Engineers enjoy solving problems more than implementing solutions.
  2. Product teams should present work to engineers as problems to solve, not pre-determined solutions.
  3. Collaboration between product and engineering leads to better solutions than working in isolation.

OpenAI Hype Cycle

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Product
  1. OpenAI's ChatGPT quickly became popular, breaking records just three months after its release. This shows how fast technology can grow and be accepted by people.
  2. Tech giants like Google and Amazon are trying to catch up with OpenAI due to its rapid success. This competition could lead to more innovations in the AI field.
  3. Gartner predicted it would take five to ten years for foundational AI models to be widely adopted, but OpenAI proved that strong demand can speed up this process much faster.

A simple email that drives more adoption from customers

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
💼 Business Product
  1. Sending emails when new users join a team can boost product adoption. This simple tactic keeps everyone in the loop and encourages others to use the product.
  2. Seeing teammates use a product creates a sense of urgency to adopt it. People want to stay connected and not fall behind their colleagues.
  3. This approach uses social proof, which is when people do something because they see others doing it. It's a powerful way to motivate users to engage with a product.

GACCS brief generator & template

MKT1 Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
💼 Business Product
  1. The GACCS brief helps teams stay aligned on their goals and projects. It includes important elements like audience, creative ideas, and channels.
  2. There are tools available to help create GACCS briefs easily, like an app and Google Docs templates. These can be used for things like product launches and events.
  3. Using a structured brief can improve communication and planning within a team, making it easier to manage marketing campaigns effectively.

Getting rid of the rot with auto-abandon

trydeepwork • 0 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Product
  1. Task lists that remember everything become overwhelming and guilt-inducing, so trydeepwork automatically abandons tasks that get no attention for 90 days and notifies you first.
  2. The only way to keep a task alive is to actually work on it — you can’t snooze or postpone it — which keeps your workspace focused on current, actionable work.
  3. Long-term or “someday” ideas belong in other tools like Google Docs or Todoist; auto-abandon also serves as a clear signal to revive truly important items or let them go.

What is Progressive Registration?

ciamweekly • 0 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Product
  1. Ask only the minimum information up front so people can get into your app quickly and with less friction.
  2. Unlock useful features and then ask for specific data as needed — for example, convert an anonymous account, verify an email, collect profile details, or request payment info.
  3. Use analytics and business rules to time these asks and build a glide path that earns user trust, increases account value, and helps you tune and monetize the product.