Primary related guide or tool
Continue the workflow with this related LLMs.txt Kit resource.
/resources/directory-target-queue.htmlShow HN checklist for an AI SEO tool
A Show HN preparation checklist for presenting a free AI crawler or llms.txt tool honestly.
Fast answer
If your goal is to prepare a developer-friendly launch post, start with this framing: developer communities reject vague AI marketing but respond to useful demos and source-backed details. The useful deliverable is a Show HN post checklist.
This page is intentionally conservative. It treats crawler files, URL inspection, feeds, and server logs as discovery and measurement aids, not as guaranteed ranking levers.
When to use this playbook
Use it when technical founders launching to developer communities need a concrete next step and a page that can be linked from a hub, a community answer, a README, or a launch checklist. The page should help someone make a decision even if they never buy anything or contact the site owner.
The strongest pages in this topic cluster have three traits: they answer one narrow question, they include a copyable artifact, and they link to the relevant tool or proof page so the reader can act immediately.
Recommended workflow
- Lead with the tool, not hype.
- Explain what the output does and does not guarantee.
- Share implementation limits.
- Invite specific feedback.
Pre-publish checklist
- demo works.
- limitations are visible.
- sources are linked.
- no fake traffic or ranking claims.
Copyable working note
Use this as a starting point in a ticket, README, client note, or launch log. Edit it to match the real site before publishing.
I built a free tool that...
It helps by...
Limitations:
Feedback requested:What not to count as proof
Do not count this setup as traffic by itself. A submitted sitemap, an IndexNow receipt, a crawler log hit, or an indexing request can show discovery work, but none of them proves rankings, impressions, clicks, conversions, or AI citations. Organic proof should come from Search Console, analytics, qualified referral evidence, or server logs interpreted for the right purpose.
The main pitfall for this topic is: Claiming the tool guarantees AI rankings.
Related resources
Next supporting resource
Continue the workflow with this related LLMs.txt Kit resource.
/tools/All free tools
Continue the workflow with this related LLMs.txt Kit resource.
/tools/Proof dashboard
Continue the workflow with this related LLMs.txt Kit resource.
/proof.html