# Submit to Spotlight by Y Combinator

> Launch Llama directory submission tracker review — last reviewed 2026-08-25

- **Canonical:** https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories/spotlight-by-y-combinator
- **Markdown twin:** https://tools.launchllama.co/directory-spokes/spotlight-by-y-combinator.md
- **Directory:** Spotlight by Y Combinator (ycombinator.com)
- **Submit URL:** https://ycombinator.com
- **DR:** 91
- **Pricing:** Free
- **Category:** Tech / Startups (#4 of 18 by DR in this category)
- **Referral traffic:** Very High
- **Backlink quality:** Weak
- **Link type:** Mixed — ycombinator.com Launch YC pages with outbound product links; rel attributes vary

## Quick verdict

YC batch launch page — DR 91, free to submit. Worth it for YC companies only; skip if you are not in a Y Combinator batch — no public submission.

**Best for:** Current or recent Y Combinator batch companies publishing Launch YC profiles · Founders coordinating Demo Day visibility with YC’s official launch channel

## Approval & timeline

- **Time-to-live:** Launch YC pages publish on YC’s batch schedule — typically aligned with Demo Day or batch launch week, not on demand.
- **Review:** Y Combinator internal review for batch companies — content must meet Launch YC guidelines and represent an active YC company.
- **Common rejections:** Non-YC companies cannot submit. Incomplete profiles, off-batch products, or pages violating YC launch guidelines are blocked.
- **Reputation:** Only available to YC batch companies — founders outside YC sometimes confuse this with Hacker News or open directories.

## Pros

- DR 91 domain with Very High referral traffic during YC batch launch windows
- Free — included for Y Combinator portfolio companies
- Investor and press bookmark Launch YC during every batch cycle
- Permanent company page on ycombinator.com/companies after launch

## Cons

- Backlink quality rated Weak — not a primary SEO link-building channel
- YC batch membership required — no open submission for non-YC startups
- Traffic concentrates around batch timing — not evergreen consumer discovery
- Content format is standardized — limited customization vs. your own site

## What you need before you submit

- Active Y Combinator batch company status confirmed with your YC partner
- Launch YC copy: one-liner, description, founder names, and product URL
- Logo and product screenshot meeting YC Launch YC asset specs
- Demo video or GIF if required by current batch launch guidelines
- Coordinated timing with Demo Day and other launch channels (PH, press)

**Gotchas:**

- Non-YC startups cannot access Launch YC — use Show HN and Product Hunt instead
- Launch YC is not the same as applying to Y Combinator — it is post-acceptance only
- Miss batch deadlines and you lose coordinated visibility with other batch companies

## Submission mechanics

- **Account:** Y Combinator founder access via batch portal — Launch YC submission is internal to accepted companies.
- **Categories:** Company must be in an active or recent YC batch; industry tags follow YC company directory taxonomy.
- **Anchor text:** Company name on Launch YC page; primary outbound link is your submitted product URL.
- **Link placement:** Dedicated Launch YC feature on ycombinator.com — indexed company launch page, not a forum post.

## FAQ

### Can any startup submit to Launch YC?

No — Launch YC (Spotlight) is only for Y Combinator batch companies. Non-YC founders should use Product Hunt, Show HN, and open directories.

### Is Launch YC the same as applying to YC?

No — applying is the admissions process. Launch YC is the post-acceptance launch page every batch company publishes.

### Does Launch YC help SEO?

Pages are indexed on DR 91, but we rate backlink quality Weak. Value is investor and founder discovery during batch launches.

### When does my Launch YC page go live?

On your batch’s launch schedule — typically Demo Day or batch launch week. YC coordinates timing with founders.

## Related

- [Directory Submission Tracker](https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories)
- [Tech / Startups directories](https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories?category=tech-startups)
- [Directory backlink service](https://tools.launchllama.co/launch#directory-submissions)
- [llms.txt](https://tools.launchllama.co/llms.txt)