HiCyou

About HiCyou

HiCyou is a modern, open-source platform designed to help you build intelligent and powerful online directories. At its core, it's a smart SaaS directory builder that uses artificial intelligence to automate the tedious parts of managing a directory, saving you immense time and effort. Imagine wanting to create a curated list of AI tools, productivity apps, or any niche software. Instead of manually sorting and describing each entry, HiCyou's AI can automatically categorize new submissions and generate helpful content for them. It also features a built-in semantic search, which means visitors can find exactly what they need using natural language, not just keyword matching. For directory owners, a major headache is verifying submissions. HiCyou solves this by automatically checking for a backlink from the submitter's website, ensuring listings are legitimate and rewarding those who properly attribute your directory. Built with cutting-edge technology like Next.js 14 and Tailwind CSS, it's incredibly fast, easy to customize, and simple to deploy. Whether you're a SaaS founder looking to showcase your ecosystem, a developer building a community resource, or an indie hacker launching a curated discovery platform, HiCyou provides the free, flexible, and fully self-hostable foundation to make it happen.

Features of HiCyou

AI-Powered Auto-Categorization

Stop wasting time manually tagging every new tool submission. HiCyou's built-in AI intelligently analyzes the description and details of a submitted product and automatically assigns it to the most relevant categories in your directory. This ensures your content stays organized from the start, providing a better experience for your visitors and less busywork for you.

Automated Content Generation

Launching a directory with empty pages is tough. HiCyou helps you hit the ground running by using AI to generate descriptive and useful content for your listed tools and categories. This means you can have a professional-looking, informative site faster, even as you build up your collection of submissions manually over time.

Built-in Semantic Search

Move beyond simple keyword search. HiCyou's semantic search understands the intent and context behind a user's query. If someone searches for "app to make thumbnails," it will intelligently find tools related to graphic design and video marketing, not just pages that contain those exact words. This leads to pinpoint discovery and a much more helpful directory.

Backlink Verification for Submissions

Maintain the quality and legitimacy of your directory effortlessly. When users submit their tool, HiCyou can automatically verify that their website links back to your directory. This confirms the submission is genuine, discourages spam, and incentivizes contributors to give you proper credit, all without you lifting a finger.

Use Cases of HiCyou

Curated Niche Tool Directory

Are you passionate about a specific field like no-code development or AI agents? Use HiCyou to build a beautifully curated, trusted directory for that niche. The AI categorization and search help users cut through the noise, while you establish yourself as a go-to resource and community leader in that space.

SaaS Ecosystem Showcase

If you run a SaaS company or a developer platform, use HiCyou to create an official directory of integrated apps, plugins, or tools that work with your product. This adds tremendous value for your customers, encourages a developer ecosystem, and drives engagement, all hosted on your own branded site.

Community Resource Hub

Online communities, forums, or educational groups often need a place to share recommended tools and resources. HiCyou is perfect for creating a community-vetted resource hub. Members can submit their favorite tools, and the automated verification and organization keep the list manageable and trustworthy for everyone.

SEO and Backlink Project

For marketers and SEO enthusiasts, HiCyou provides a structured way to build a content-rich site that naturally attracts tool submissions. The backlink verification system ensures you gain quality dofollow links from every listed tool, strengthening your site's authority and search engine rankings over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HiCyou really free to use?

Yes, HiCyou is completely open-source and free. You can download the code, self-host it on your own server, and use it for personal or commercial projects without any licensing fees. You are only responsible for your own hosting and deployment costs.

What do I need to run HiCyou myself?

To self-host HiCyou, you will need a basic understanding of how to deploy a Next.js application. You'll need a Node.js environment, a database (like PostgreSQL), and a hosting provider (such as Vercel, AWS, or a similar service). The project documentation provides guidance to get you started.

How does the backlink verification work?

When someone submits their tool, they provide their website URL. HiCyou will automatically perform a check to see if that website contains a link back to your HiCyou directory. If the backlink is found, the submission is verified and can be listed. This process helps ensure authentic submissions.

Can I customize the look and feel of my directory?

Absolutely. HiCyou is built with modern, customizable technologies like Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and shadcn/ui components. This means you can easily modify the colors, fonts, layout, and styling to perfectly match your brand identity without having to rewrite the core functionality.