Q&A highlight
Posted21 days ago
Key Takeaways
Out of my five submissions, two are Ask HN posts (including this one), and two are links to my own writing. All four of those behaved normally, so I assumed self-links were fine.
The third link — also to my own article — is the only one that disappeared.
If all self-links were filtered, I would understand. What confused me is that the first two stayed visible without any issues, but the third one vanished a few hours after posting.
So I’m just trying to understand why only one of them triggered the filter.
My submission is visible again now.
Thanks for taking the time to reply — appreciate it. Hope you have a good day.
Yes. I don't know the exact thresholds. Usually needs an old account to click 'vouch'. These days there's often too many submissions in one hour and not enough users browsing /new to look for interesting content. I clicked 'vouch' now.
> Do certain titles or post formats trigger automated removal?
Duplicates (same title, same URL) I think, obvious spam, some domains are blocked automatically. I don't see anything applying to your submissions.
> Could I have unknowingly violated a guideline?
Not sure. Maybe submission too many new stories in the first day. It shouldn't matter.
> Would this type of post have been better as a “Show HN”?
Show HN is usually for things one can try in their browser or on their computer, something interactive. Sometimes a video qualifies because it shows what a user would see. Long content, blog posts usually don't qualify. https://news.ycombinator.com/showhn.html
> I’m still learning how HN works
10 years in, I'm still learning, too. The algorithms change.
>Usually needs an old account to click 'vouch'.
Good to know that silent filtering for new accounts does happen and that it often depends on someone vouching. I appreciate you doing that.
>Sometimes a video qualifies because it shows what a user would see.
The word “visual” in my post may have caused a misunderstanding: it wasn’t a video or anything interactive, just a notation/diagram for explaining multiplication — a written article using a visualization model (the “ container” idea) to help children understand multiplication.
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I also didn’t realize that Show HN is specifically for interactive software (or things users can try directly). That saves me from misusing the tag — I appreciate it.
And the explanation about how filters behave for new accounts was really helpful. Your comment made the system a lot clearer.
Thanks again for taking the time.
My submission is now visible again even when I'm logged out. Maybe it was your vouch, or maybe others also checked it — either way, it's showing up normally now.
Thanks again for the help. Much appreciated, and hope you have a good day.
> Please don't use HN primarily for promotion. It's ok to post your own stuff part of the time, but the primary use of the site should be for curiosity.
And again with this submission:
> Please don't post on HN to ask or tell us something. Send it to hn@ycombinator.com.
.. perhaps you could give them a read?
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