Ask HN: How do you know if you have a product problem or a distribution one?

pranman · 2026-09-04T21:32:27.000000Z

Distribution is a challenge even for the best among us, but in your case you seem to be hitting a snag earlier.

People complaining about a problem is a sign that (a) they are familiar enough with it to describe it to a non-expert (you), and (b) this usually indicates they have workarounds in place to surmount the issue, however difficult or non user-friendly they might be.

So any product you build must not only solve the core problem but usually require less skill than their existing workaround and make switching as easy as possible. You aren't competing against the problem. You're competing against the existing workaround.

mustafak99 · 2026-09-06T00:03:06.000000Z

no but I mean there is no really work around for some of the problems its almost like people just live with it and I don't understand its like they have apathy

grandimam · 2026-09-04T21:11:32.000000Z

My heuristics is that the first 100 users are almost always a distribution problem. If you do not have 100 users using your product extensively, and you see a retention drop there is no way you can conclude anything else.

The reason why I take this approach is that - I have had personal experience building tools that didn't go anywhere, and same tools built by people with some online following gaining good traction. It could simply be a case of anecdotal experience, but distribution has always been harder for the tools I have built.

Morkeeth · 2026-09-04T21:15:40.000000Z

I've been thinking a lot on authority. Someone doing the exact same output but with different credentials.

It means the world, you see taste makers based on their legacy and previous actions.

Never in time have there been a thinner line between average and genius.

mustafak99 · 2026-09-04T23:05:16.000000Z

yep its the cold hard truth but at the same time alot of those people earned it so complaining makes you just sound bitter or jaded.

fatboyor · 2026-09-05T19:00:38.000000Z

for me, I was able to get 2-3 users every week. after 17 users, about 40 meetings, I conclude the product doesn’t work as they won’t pay and don’t see result.