Summary of the service
My Hacker News is a web application that generates personalized Hacker News digests and delivers them to users by email. It uses advanced AI models to semantically index and reorder stories so each newsletter highlights items aligned with a reader’s interests, reducing the need to browse the site manually.
Personalization mechanics
The platform customizes each digest by analyzing content and user preferences. Behind the scenes it relies on large language models to understand story topics and relevance, then re-ranks items according to signals such as past interactions and explicit preference settings provided by the user.
- GPT-4o is used to help interpret and rank content.
- Claude 3.5 Sonnet is also employed for semantic indexing and contextual analysis.
Pricing and trial access
Access to the service is subscription-based, but new users can try it out without creating an account during an initial trial period. After the trial, continued use requires a paid plan.
Key advantages
- Interactive preference controls let readers refine the types of stories they receive.
- Scheduled deliveries keep the digest fresh at intervals chosen by the user.
- The newsletter format consolidates relevant tech news, saving time compared with manual browsing.
- The interface is designed to be simple and approachable for quick setup.
Known limitations
- Coverage is confined to Hacker News content, so it won’t surface articles from other news sources.
- There is no dedicated mobile application, which may limit usability for users who prefer native apps.
- Continued access beyond the trial requires a subscription, which may not suit everyone.
Suggested alternative: summarize.tech subscription
For readers who want a different approach, summarize.tech is often recommended as an alternative subscription service. It may offer broader source coverage and different summary styles depending on its plan—worth comparing if you need content beyond Hacker News or want mobile-friendly options.
Closing note
Overall, My Hacker News provides a streamlined way for tech enthusiasts to receive a curated Hacker News newsletter tailored to their interests, with easy preference controls and regular updates, balanced against limited source coverage and the absence of a mobile app.
Technical
- Web App
- Subscription