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Extract & transform HackerNews data to Google Docs using Gemini 2.0 flash

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Extract & transform HackerNews data to Google Docs using Gemini 2.0 flash preview
Open on n8n.io

Important notice

This workflow is provided as-is. Please review and test before using in production.

1. Workflow Overview

Description This workflow automates the process of scraping the latest discussions from HackerNews, transforming raw threads into human readable content using Google Gemini, and exporting the final...

Best for

  • Market Research automation workflows
  • AI Summarization automation workflows
  • advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.hackernews, n8n-nodes-base.splitinbatches, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.lmchatgooglegemini, n8n-nodes-base.googledocs, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.chainllm

Source and attribution

This workflow is cataloged by N8N Workflows and links back to its original n8n.io source page by Ranjan Dailata.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Extract & transform HackerNews data to Google Docs using Gemini 2.0 flash
Workflow name
Extract & transform HackerNews data to Google Docs using Gemini 2.0 flash

Description

This workflow automates the process of scraping the latest discussions from HackerNews, transforming raw threads into human readable content using Google Gemini, and exporting the final content into a well-formatted Google Doc.

Overview

This n8n workflow is responsible for extracting trending posts from the HackerNews API. It loops through each item, performs HTTP data extraction, utilizes Google Gemini to generate human-readable insights, and then exports the enriched content into Google Docs for distribution, archiving, or content creation.

Who this workflow is for

  • Tech Newsletter Writers: Automate the collection and summarization of trending HackerNews posts for inclusion in weekly or daily newsletters.

  • Content Creators & Bloggers: Quickly generate structured summaries and insights from HackerNews threads to use as inspiration or supporting content for blog posts, videos, or social media.

  • Startup Founders & Product Builders: Monitor HackerNews for discussions relevant to your niche or competitors, and keep a pulse on the community’s opinions.

  • Investors & Analysts: Surface early signals from the tech ecosystem by identifying what’s trending and how the community is reacting.

  • Researchers & Students: Analyze popular discussions and emerging trends in technology, programming, and startups—enriched with AI-generated insights.

  • Digital Agencies & Consultants: Offer HackerNews monitoring and insight reports as a value-added service to clients interested in the tech space.

Tools Used

  • n8n: The core automation engine that manages the trigger, transformation, and export.

  • HackerNews API: Provides access to trending or new HN posts.

  • Google Gemini: Enriches HackerNews content with structured insights and human-like summaries.

  • Google Docs: Automatically creates and updates a document with the enriched content, ready for sharing or publishing.

How to Install

  • Import the Workflow: Download the .json file and import it into your n8n instance.

  • Set Up HackerNews Source: Choose whether to use the HN API (via HTTP Request node) or RSS Feed node.

  • Configure Gemini API: Add your Google Gemini API key and design the prompt to extract pros/cons, key themes, or insights.

  • Set Up Google Docs Integration: Connect your Google account and configure the Google Docs node to create/update a document.

  • Test and Deploy: Run a test job to ensure data flows correctly and outputs are formatted as expected.

Use Cases

  • Tech Newsletter Authors: Generate ready-to-use summaries of trending HackerNews threads.

  • Startup Founders: Stay informed on key discussions, product launches, and community feedback.

  • Investors & Analysts: Spot early trends, technical insights, and startup momentum directly from HN.

  • Researchers: Track community reactions to new technologies or frameworks.

  • Content Creators: Use the enriched data to spark blog posts, YouTube scripts, or LinkedIn updates.

Connect with Me

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranjan-dailata/

Get Bright Data: Bright Data (Supports free workflows with a small commission)

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1.2 Logical Blocks

This catalog entry is organized from the workflow JSON. The node-level section below shows the executable blocks available for review before importing the template.

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - When clicking ‘Execute workflow’

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger - manualTrigger
Config choices
Version 1

Block 2 - Hacker News

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.hackerNews - hackerNews
Config choices
Version 1

Block 3 - Loop Over Items

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches - splitInBatches
Config choices
Version 3

Block 4 - Google Gemini Chat Model

Type / Role
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.lmChatGoogleGemini - lmChatGoogleGemini
Config choices
Version 1

Block 5 - Create a Google Doc

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.googleDocs - googleDocs
Config choices
Version 2

Block 6 - Update Google Docs

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.googleDocs - googleDocs
Config choices
Version 2

Block 7 - Set the Input Fields

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices
Version 3.4

Block 8 - Sticky Note

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 9 - Sticky Note1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 10 - Extract Human Readable Data

Type / Role
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.chainLlm - chainLlm
Config choices
Version 1.7

Block 11 - Sticky Note2

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 12 - Sticky Note3

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 13 - Sticky Note4

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 14 - Sticky Note5

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 15 - Set the url, author

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices
Version 3.4

Block 16 - Create an HTTP Request

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

3. Summary Table

Workflow Extract & transform HackerNews data to Google Docs using Gemini 2.0 flash
Complexity advanced
Nodes 16
Categories Market Research, AI Summarization
Author Ranjan Dailata
Published 04 Jul 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/5677/5677.json as the source template for this automation.

  2. 2. Import the template into n8n

    Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.

  3. 3. Configure credentials and variables

    Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.

  4. 4. Test with sample data

    Run the workflow manually or in a staging workspace, inspect node output, and confirm downstream systems receive the expected data.

  5. 5. Activate and monitor

    Enable the workflow only after testing, then monitor executions, errors, and rate limits during the first production runs.

5. General Notes & Resources

Review imported nodes carefully before activation. This catalog entry is intended to help you inspect the workflow structure, understand required services, and find related templates faster.

Node names, credentials, schedules, webhook paths, and external service limits may need adjustment for your workspace.

Frequently asked questions

What does Extract & transform HackerNews data to Google Docs using Gemini 2.0 flash do?

Description This workflow automates the process of scraping the latest discussions from HackerNews, transforming raw threads into human readable content using Google Gemini, and exporting the final...

What do I need before importing this workflow?

Review the workflow JSON, configure any required credentials in n8n, and test the automation in a safe workspace before using it in production.

Can I customize this workflow?

Yes. Use the block-by-block analysis and the downloadable JSON to inspect each node, then adjust credentials, prompts, schedules, filters, or destinations for your Market Research, AI Summarization use case.