Now that's a whole other question, isn't it? You have to promote your game every way you can, not just chase a spot on the front page. Those are very few and hard to get. I never made it there, and I have some very successful projects.

Good metadata helps. Social media helps. Devlogs help. But mostly, and I say this to everyone, be active in the community. Play other people's games. Leave comments. Collect them and give ratings. Post in the forums. Notice others, and they'll notice you in turn. Don't just sit there. We're in this together. It's a social activity.