feat(launch): Hacker News launch for Vertz — GEO/SEO Phase 3.1

[matheuspoleza]

Description

Execute the v1 HN launch for Vertz. Single-shot distribution event (HN dedupes domains for 6 months). The goal is not front-page specifically — launch execution + substantive discussion is the v1 bar.

Context

Part of GEO/SEO strategy v1 (28-day scope).

• Design doc: plans/geo-seo-strategy.md
• Full task spec: plans/geo-seo-strategy/phase-03-distribution-launch.md → Task 1
• v1 scope: HN launch only. PH, Reddit, sponsorships, SO, outreach all deferred to post-v1.

Acceptance Criteria

BDD scenarios

describe('Feature: HN launch', () => {
  describe('Given the launch is pre-prepared', () => {
    describe('When preparation is complete 3 days before launch day', () => {
      it('then title variants are reviewed by 3 trusted readers', () => {});
      it('then comment queue has 15 pre-drafted responses to predictable questions', () => {});
      it('then comment queue passes reviewer-agent review (not defensive)', () => {});
      it('then monitoring script polls HN API every 2 minutes', () => {});
    });
  });

  describe('Given launch day (Tue or Wed 9am PT)', () => {
    describe('When the submission goes live', () => {
      it('then the primary link is vertz.dev (not a blog post)', () => {});
      it('then Matheus posts from personal account with existing karma', () => {});
      it('then NO upvote solicitation happens (no Slack pings, no DMs saying "upvote")', () => {});
    });
  });

  describe('Given the launch is live and comments arrive', () => {
    describe('When comments come in the first hour', () => {
      it('then 100% of comments are responded to within 10 minutes', () => {});
      it('then responses are substantive, not defensive', () => {});
      it('then critics get substantive engagement, not deflection', () => {});
    });
  });

  describe('Given the launch has concluded', () => {
    describe('When writing the retro', () => {
      it('then retrospective notes are appended to `content/launches/hn-launch-plan.md` within 24h', () => {});
      it('then referral traffic is logged via citation tracker + referer logs', () => {});
      it('then screenshots for future social proof are captured', () => {});
    });
  });
});

Checklist

• Launch day selected: Tue or Wed, 9am PT
• Primary link: vertz.dev (landing page, not blog post)
• Title variants A/B tested with 3 trusted readers
• Comment queue of 15+ pre-drafted responses reviewed + approved
• Monitoring script running (HN API every 2 min, alerts on new comments)
• Referral traffic captured in citation tracker / referer logs
• Retro notes written within 24h

Dependencies

• Blocked by: issue (MCP server published) — the MCP install story is half the hook
• Blocked by: issue (case-study post live) — post must be a click away from the landing
• Blocked by: issue (SSR head + IndexNow) — so the visit-after-visit traffic is actually indexed

Progress

• 2026-04-22: Opened