# The Cold Start Problem by Andrew Chen

4 Hacker News commenters recommended The Cold Start Problem by Andrew Chen and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 1 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** People recommend it for explaining how to launch network products, tackling the cold start problem from many angles. No critics appear in the quotes.

## Why people recommend it

- Well explained and interesting (1 comments): "super interesting and well explained" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47836043))
- Covers the problem from many angles (1 comments): "tackles this on all possible angles" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47834593))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [The Gervais Principle by Venkatesh Rao](https://hackerapproved.com/p/gervais-principle.md): 32 recommend
- [The Lean Startup by Eric Ries](https://hackerapproved.com/p/lean-startup.md): 32 recommend
- [Incorruptible by Eric Ries](https://hackerapproved.com/p/incorruptible.md): 23 recommend
- [The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt](https://hackerapproved.com/p/goal.md): 21 recommend
- [Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss](https://hackerapproved.com/p/never-split-the-difference.md): 13 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062969749?tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/a/130825/9780062969743) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "The Cold Start Problem by Andrew Chen", https://hackerapproved.com/p/cold-start-problem/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).