Overview
LaunchPact pacts are mutual commitments to upvote each other's Product Hunt launches. Verification is how we confirm you actually showed up. You upload a screenshot from Product Hunt; our automated review checks it and updates pact status and trust scores.
Verification is required for pacts. If you backed a launch before listing your own product, you can optionally verify that upvote too (+2) — but skipping it never breaks anything.
When to verify
Each side verifies on their partner's launch day. The verification window opens 48 hours before that launch date and closes 48 hours after it (centered on noon UTC on launch day).
Pacts formed after a launch has passed
If you form a pact after your partner's Product Hunt day (or the launch window was already closed when the pact was accepted), your upload window opens immediately and closes 48hours after the pact was formed. Your partner's side still follows their normal launch-day window when their date is still upcoming.
Backing without your own product listed
If you click Back this launch before you have a product listed, it's a one-way back — not a pact yet. You can optionally verify that upvote for +2 trust. On upcoming launches, that follows the launch-day window above. From the recently launched feed, the window opens when you back and closes 48 hours later.
- Go to Product Hunt, upvote your partner's product, and take a screenshot.
- Upload the screenshot from the pact page while the window is open.
- If your partner verifies first, you'll get a reminder when your own launch day arrives.
What counts as valid proof
Screenshots must come from genuine Product Hunt — web or mobile app. We accept desktop and mobile layouts.
Either format works
- Product page (easiest):your partner's PH product or launch page with the product name visible and the upvote shown as active (filled orange button or “Upvoted” state).
- Profile upvotes list:your PH profile's Upvotes / Upvoted tab with your username visible and their product in the list.
Required
- The page is Product Hunt — not LaunchPact or another site.
- The target product name is visible and matches (close name matches are fine).
- Upvote proof is visible: active upvote on the product page, or the product listed on your profile Upvotes / Upvoted tab.
- For profile screenshots, your Product Hunt username or display name is visible.
Rejected immediately
- Screenshots from LaunchPact, analytics tools, social posts, or mockups.
- PH pages with no upvote proof for the target product.
- Wrong product or product name clearly does not match.
- Profile screenshot with username missing or clearly not yours.
Attempts and review
You get up to 10upload attempts per side, per pact. Each attempt is reviewed automatically. If rejected, you'll see a short reason and can try again with a better screenshot while the window is still open.
Review is automated and may occasionally be wrong. Edge cases may be reviewed manually. See our Terms of Service for limitations on accuracy and abuse handling.
Outcomes
Happy path
- Click Back this launch with your product selected — they accept, and a pact forms.
- Each party upvotes and verifies on the other's launch day.
- You verify on the pact page → +5 trust right away (or +3 if you already earned +2 from an earlier backing verify on the same launch).
- You verified first but their launch day hasn't arrived → your trust score already reflects your upvote; you're waiting for them to show up for you.
- You verified but they missed their window → you still earn your pact completion trust; they lose 15.
- Backed without listing your own product, then verified that upvote → +2. If a pact forms later on the same launch, verifying the pact upvote adds +3 more (not another +5).
- Optional comment on their launch, verified → +2, paid right away.
Partner protection
If you verified but your partner missed their window, you still earn your full pact completion trust for showing up — the same amount as if you had both finished. They are penalized; you are not.
Failure modes
- Miss the verification window without verifying: pact broken, −15 trust for the missing party.
- Leave a pact before either side upvotes: −5 trust (unless your obligation was already waived).
- Leave after your partner verified their upvote of you: −10 trust.
- Leave or delete your launch after your side is already done (verified or waived): no trust penalty.
Trust score impact
Everyone starts at 50. Scores have no upper limit and reflect lifetime reputation (floor at 0). Back with your product → pact → verify your upvote → +5. You earn that as soon as your screenshot is approved, even if your partner hasn't verified yet. You need at least 30 to back other launches with your product selected.
| What happens | Score | When |
|---|---|---|
| Pacts | ||
| You backed their launch with your product selected, they accepted, and you verified your upvote on the pact | +5 | Right after you verify |
| You verified but your partner missed their verification window | +5 | Right after you verify |
| Verify your pact upvote in golden hour (12:01–1:01 AM PT on launch day) | 2× trust (+10, or +6 after backing verify) | When your screenshot is approved in that window |
| You backed before listing your own product | ||
| You backed without listing your own product, and verified that upvote | +2 | Right after you verify |
| A pact later formed on the same launch — you verified the pact upvote (not +5; you'd already gotten +2) | +3 more | Right after you verify the pact |
| Optional extras | ||
| Optional backing or comment verified in golden hour on launch day | +4 each (2× the usual +2) | When your screenshot is approved in that window |
| You left a comment on their launch and verified it | +2 | Right after you verify |
| Penalties & protection | ||
| You left a pact after showing up (partner never added a Product Hunt link) | No change | When you leave the pact |
| You left a pact before anyone upvoted | -5 | When you leave the pact |
| You left after your partner already upvoted you | -10 | When you leave the pact |
| You missed your launch-day window without showing up | -15 | After your window closes |
| You removed your launch before launch day — but you'd already shown up | No change | When you remove your launch |
| You removed your launch while pacts were still active | -15 | When you remove your launch |
| You cancelled a back request before it was accepted | No change | When you cancel |
| Your partner left or broke the pact | No change | When they leave or miss their window |
Your profile's "pacts upheld" count increases when you verify your pact upvote (when trust is credited), not only when both sides finish the pact.
Product Hunt link waivers
If your partner never adds a Product Hunt URL for their launch, your upvote obligation may be waived once their verification window passes. In those cases, leaving the pact or removing your launch does not reduce your trust score.