We screwed up our ShowHN launch

Just my thoughts, concerning not achieving your desired outcome. 1) Users read left to right and start at the top. So they would see an icon there that represents search - what you do. That is also nested in the top right corner where in many interfaces there are powerful buttons for the user. 2) Saying demo was just an extra step for the user. Google has pretty much a blank canvas and search bar in the middle with a search icon. The user can’t really do anything but that. In demos, interface design, etc, I enjoy when things are straightforward/forced/simple because they can connect to a larger audience and it also decreases user fatigue, which can add up or straight up make you lose users if they can’t figure something out.

Be like the bonsai gardener, it’s not what you can add, it is everything that you can take away that’s important. Only when you can’t take away anything more will it be done.

Or something like that…

Oh - one more thing. Don’t forget to test this in front of ten people. If all ten don’t get it right the first time you need to change it up and try again. It’s not what you know or think - it’s all about the user, your guest.