Directories & comparison

Curated newsletters (TLDR, Console)

Many accept submissions, with a paid slot for guaranteed placement. Choose ones your buyers already read.

Cost
Free + paid options

Submissions are free. Paid sponsor slots guarantee placement. Check current pricing.

Verdict
works

Works: a placement in a large, relevant newsletter brings a burst of visits.

Difficulty
Hard

Gatekept or reviewed, or needs an existing audience or reviews first.

Effort
Low

About 2 to 4 hours a month.

First result
2 to 8 weeks

A rough range for one person working on it part-time.

Payoff
Spike

a burst of traffic, then it fades.

Best for

Developer and SaaS products with a clear hook.

Not for

Products without a free trial or an easy first step.

Pros

  • Large, relevant developer audiences
  • Free submissions exist

Cons

  • Placement is competitive
  • Paid slots are expensive

The full guide

Last verified 2026-10-30

01What it is and who is there

Curated newsletters such as TLDR and Console send a short list of links to large technical audiences, often daily or weekly. Many accept submissions from makers, and most also sell sponsored slots. Readers are developers, founders and tech workers. A single mention in the right one can bring a burst of visits.

02Cost and what you actually pay for

Submitting a link is free at many newsletters, with no guarantee you will be included. Sponsored slots are paid and guarantee placement. Prices vary a lot; check each newsletter's current sponsorship page.

03Is it right for you?

It fits developer tools, AI products and SaaS with a clear hook and an easy first step, such as a free plan or open-source repo. It fits poorly for products with no free trial, and for consumer apps aimed at non-technical readers. Pick newsletters your buyers already read.

04Before you start

  • A list of newsletters your buyers read. Ask customers if you are unsure.
  • Each newsletter's submission page and rules.
  • A short, link-ready summary and a page that loads fast.
  • If you plan to sponsor, a budget and a way to track sign-ups.

05Step-by-step: how to distribute here

  1. Read two or three recent issues of each newsletter to see what they include.
  2. Submit through the official form, with a factual one-line summary.
  3. If you sponsor, write the copy in the newsletter's style and use a unique UTM link.
  4. On the send day, watch traffic and answer any replies.
  5. Compare results across newsletters before paying for a second slot.

06What to post or submit

Submission summary:

[Product] is a [open-source / free] [category] that [does job]. [One concrete detail, such as speed, language or integration]. [Link]

Sponsored copy:

[Headline: the result]. [Product] helps [readers' role] [do job] in [time]. [One proof point you can show]. Try it free: [UTM link]

07Common mistakes and do-nots

  • Do not submit marketing copy. Curators skip it.
  • Do not submit repeatedly after being passed over.
  • Do not sponsor a large general newsletter before testing a smaller niche one.
  • Do not send readers to a page that requires a demo call.

08How to measure it

  • Use a unique UTM link per newsletter and per send.
  • Track visits, sign-ups and paid conversions for two weeks after the send.
  • A realistic test: compare cost per sign-up across newsletters.

09Time budget

  • Before: 1 to 3 hours to research and submit.
  • During: 1 hour on send day.
  • After: 30 minutes to log results.

10Pair it with

11Sources

Sources