Ask HN: Why can't we comment on YC hiring ads?
I’ve noticed that YC companies often advertise their hiring positions. That’s great news! However, I’ve also seen some of their comments that raise concerns. I know for a fact that some of them have toxic hiring or team practices (which is why they need to advertise so frequently). I’m curious why comments aren’t available on those ads.
Precisely because those are ads, not submitted stories. See the HN FAQ¹:
> Can I post a job ad?
> (…)
> Another kind of job ad is reserved for YC-funded startups. These appear on the front page, but are not stories: they have no vote arrows, points, or comments. They begin part-way down² and fall steadily. Only one is on the front page at a time. The rest are listed at jobs³.
However, you can still voice your concerns about YC companies on other threads. Again from the FAQ:
> Are negative stories about YC suppressed on HN?
> No, we moderate less, not more⁴, when YC or a YC startup is the topic. The good will of the community is worth more than any story.
So go for it!
¹ https://news.ycombinator.com/newsfaq.html
² I think I remember reading they start in fourth place.
³ https://news.ycombinator.com/jobs
⁴ https://hn.algolia.com/?query=moderate%20less%20not%20more%2...
Comments are discouraged and moderated away on regular job postings in the whoishiring threads as well, for the same reasons - job posts can't function as job posts if every single one of them turns into a discussion of the company in general.
Posts about companies doing lame things get posted on HN all the time and many are quite popular and get plenty of discussion. There's usually at least one on the front page more or less daily.
The comments would unilaterally be negative and the purpose of those job ads is half the reason Hacker News even exists.