Reach developers where they actually hang out
Developers ignore ads and distrust marketing. But they actively seek tool recommendations on Reddit and HN. CatchIntent finds them.
Developers research tools differently
Traditional marketing doesn't work on developers. They use ad blockers, ignore sponsored content, and trust peer recommendations above all else. The conversations that matter happen on Reddit and Hacker News — and if you're not monitoring them, you're invisible.
The developer marketing challenge
Developer tool companies face unique challenges reaching their audience. Here's what makes dev marketing so hard.
Developers ignore advertising
91% of developers use ad blockers. Paid acquisition channels that work for other software fail completely for dev tools.
High skepticism of marketing
Developers are trained to question claims. Marketing speak actively damages trust with this audience.
Peer recommendations dominate
When a developer asks 'what CI/CD tool should I use?' on Reddit, those answers shape decisions. Are you in them?
HN discussions move fast
Hacker News threads about tools get hundreds of comments in hours. Miss the window and you miss the opportunity.
Community perception matters
One negative HN thread can damage reputation. One positive one can drive massive adoption. You need to know what's being said.
How it works
Get started in minutes, not days
Set up your keywords
Add keywords for your developer tools space, competitors, and problems you solve.
AI monitors 24/7
CatchIntent scans Reddit, HN, and Bluesky for relevant conversations and buying intent.
Receive qualified signals
Get alerts for high-intent conversations. AI filters noise so you see what matters.
Engage and convert
Respond to opportunities while conversations are active. Build relationships that convert.
Why teams choose CatchIntent
Reach developers authentically
Find developers in their natural habitat. Engage in technical discussions, not advertising.
Build community credibility
Helpful participation builds reputation. Developers remember who provided valuable insights.
Catch HN discussions in real-time
Know immediately when your tool or category is discussed on Hacker News.
Understand developer needs
Learn what developers actually want from real discussions, not surveys.
Monitor competitor perception
Know what developers say about alternatives. Position against their weaknesses.
Scale developer relations
One DevRel person can't monitor everything. CatchIntent surfaces the discussions that matter.
Real signals dev tool teams catch
These are actual examples of signals CatchIntent surfaces for developer tool companies.
"Ask HN: What's everyone using for observability in 2024? We've outgrown our current setup and need something that scales."
"Issue #234: Would love integration with [your tool]. Currently using [competitor] but willing to switch for better DX."
"Looking for a good API testing tool that integrates with our CI pipeline. What do you all recommend?"
"Wrote about migrating from [competitor] to alternatives. Here's what I learned about the ecosystem..."
"Hot take: [category] tools have gotten too complex. Anyone building something simpler that just works?"
"Been testing the new version of [tool category]. Much better than the alternatives for our workflow."
Simple pricing,
no surprises
Pay for high-quality signals, not keyword noise. All plans include monitoring across all supported platforms.
Free Trial
$07-day free trial included with every plan. Try CatchIntent risk-free.
Basic
For solo founders testing the waters.
Pro
PopularFor teams ready to scale outreach.
Enterprise
For teams who need the best signals & full control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which developer communities do you monitor?
All of Reddit (including r/programming, r/webdev, r/devops, r/node, r/python, and hundreds more), X, LinkedIn, all of Hacker News, and Bluesky tech communities.
Should our engineers or marketing respond?
Engineers, ideally. Developers can spot non-technical responses instantly. If marketers respond, ensure they understand the technical context deeply.
How do we engage without seeming like marketing?
Be genuinely helpful. Answer technical questions with depth. Share experience and insights. Only mention your tool when directly relevant to their stated problem.
Is HN monitoring really important?
Critical for dev tools. HN discussions shape perception across the entire developer community. One front-page thread can make or break adoption.
What about open source tools?
Equally valuable. Monitor discussions about your OSS project, find contribution opportunities, track community sentiment, and identify users who need support.
How do we handle negative feedback?
Address it professionally and technically. Acknowledge valid issues, explain your roadmap, and engage constructively. Developers respect honest response to criticism.
Have more questions? Browse all FAQs or talk to the founder .