It kind of undermines the value that people with free newsletters bring.
I have a free newsletter where I never intended to turn on paid subscriptions.
I want people to have free access to my writing and my ideas.
So.. that means no one can use my newsletter to show off their support as a reader. So now does this new model mean I’m being pushed into turning on paid subscriptions?
Additionally, I love reading, I don’t enjoy standard social media anymore and I’ve really enjoyed my time on substack. I’m most likely never going to become someone’s paid subscriber because I’m not here to learn and gain value, I’m here to just enjoy.. that’s my value. I offer free content and I enjoy reading other people’s free content. Kinda like blogging or long form X or text form YouTube.
To now possibly suppress me or people like me, because we aren’t using the paid features feels like we’re being kicked off the platform.
Thank you for sharing and including how to turn this off. I can see why this would be wanted from a status ranking perspective within the substack culture, but that’s not what I am personally here for.
I don't like them because it elevates people who are already making money, only exacerbating the gulf between the haves and have-nots when it comes to paid subs.
This is excting! But at the same time, someone like me who is in Pakistani writing articles, I cannot start paid subscriptions. It is a huge setback since I would love to turn it on. I believe I can pay for other subscriptions, but can't turn mine on, which would be so amazing!
Not a fan! Disabled and inconsistent income. If I had any discretionary income I’d support every writer I could. Alas, I’ve been here since 2022 and it’s been the main platform I use to sell my books and get paid as a writer. Everything that smacks of surveillance capitalism and social credit scores is creeping me out.
One of the main things that the flower exposed for me was how frequently publishers with hundreds or thousands or tens of thousand of paid subscribers do not have any paid subscriptions or possibly only one or two themselves. The most successful here are not investing and are only taking.
That gave me pause for thought and in fact because of it I recalibrated my entire approach to Substack. I’m done chasing metrics. I’m done looking for paid subscribers. I’m done caring about growing my Substack. I will continue to write for the same reason I came here: because I have a voice and I’m going to use it for those who are interested. They will find me. Or not.
Thanks for this, Kristina. Substack really should let people know before they pull stunts like this because what people pay for is a privacy issue.
Prime example, you just publicly shamed someone who pays for others but asked you for scholarship. It's possible that the ones they pay for are only $5/month and yours is much higher. They shouldn't have to unsub from several others to afford yours.
It's poor taste for Substack to expose others like that.
I really dislike the signaling culture that dominates social media. Most of what gets posted feels shallow, repetitive, or manufactured for attention rather than substance. To be honest, very little of what is posted is worth paying a subscription to. That realization has even forced me to pause and reconsider what I’m offering in my own work.
We don’t have unlimited time or attention, yet so much of it is wasted wading through endless streams of shallow content. At times like this, I can’t help but wish there were an accurate way such as an algorithm or filter that could separate the noise from what’s genuinely worth engaging with. Because I think what we’re really after isn’t just more words or posts; it’s content with weight, clarity, and lasting value; something that solves a real problem or sharpens our understanding. Without that, most of what’s being shared would be better left unsaid.
This all seems a bit complicated to me, and for my brain! Why should we bother/care? I’m here to write, and read good stuff. Feels like more complex admin being thrown at average users.
Really appreciate this breakdown and have to agree with the majority of folks in the comments- not a fan of the flower! I don’t want to commodify my friendships. Like so many of us, I can only afford a couple of pubs, and as I’ve continued on Substack, of course I’ve discovered new writers and friends who I don’t want to be hurt by my lack of financial support. I pay in presence, comments, and restacks… wish that were enough!
Thanks for the explanation, Kristina. I don’t like it because the information is not actually correct. I it shows paid subs that were gifted and it doesn’t accurately display the length of time, etc. I think this should be information between the writer and the reader. As a result, I turned mine to private. The one interesting part of this: it highlights the fact that many bestsellers do not pay for other’s work.
https://substack.com/@egretlane/note/p-177260334?r=5ezmlv&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
It kind of undermines the value that people with free newsletters bring.
I have a free newsletter where I never intended to turn on paid subscriptions.
I want people to have free access to my writing and my ideas.
So.. that means no one can use my newsletter to show off their support as a reader. So now does this new model mean I’m being pushed into turning on paid subscriptions?
Additionally, I love reading, I don’t enjoy standard social media anymore and I’ve really enjoyed my time on substack. I’m most likely never going to become someone’s paid subscriber because I’m not here to learn and gain value, I’m here to just enjoy.. that’s my value. I offer free content and I enjoy reading other people’s free content. Kinda like blogging or long form X or text form YouTube.
To now possibly suppress me or people like me, because we aren’t using the paid features feels like we’re being kicked off the platform.
I really hope I’m wrong.
Let’s support each other, you subscribe to my publication and I’ll subscribe to yours
https://open.substack.com/pub/cafeunbound
Thank you for sharing and including how to turn this off. I can see why this would be wanted from a status ranking perspective within the substack culture, but that’s not what I am personally here for.
I don't like them because it elevates people who are already making money, only exacerbating the gulf between the haves and have-nots when it comes to paid subs.
This is excting! But at the same time, someone like me who is in Pakistani writing articles, I cannot start paid subscriptions. It is a huge setback since I would love to turn it on. I believe I can pay for other subscriptions, but can't turn mine on, which would be so amazing!
Unfortunately, they are following the Playbook step for step…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enshittification
Not a fan! Disabled and inconsistent income. If I had any discretionary income I’d support every writer I could. Alas, I’ve been here since 2022 and it’s been the main platform I use to sell my books and get paid as a writer. Everything that smacks of surveillance capitalism and social credit scores is creeping me out.
Been here since November 2019. I feel you.
Thanks, Stephanie. Wow! You’re an OG! When did substack start?
I think 2019!! maybe 2018, but I was an early adopter!
You’re obviously a smartie! Heading to your page now.🤓
Aw, thank you!!
One of the main things that the flower exposed for me was how frequently publishers with hundreds or thousands or tens of thousand of paid subscribers do not have any paid subscriptions or possibly only one or two themselves. The most successful here are not investing and are only taking.
That gave me pause for thought and in fact because of it I recalibrated my entire approach to Substack. I’m done chasing metrics. I’m done looking for paid subscribers. I’m done caring about growing my Substack. I will continue to write for the same reason I came here: because I have a voice and I’m going to use it for those who are interested. They will find me. Or not.
its cool
Thanks for this, Kristina. Substack really should let people know before they pull stunts like this because what people pay for is a privacy issue.
Prime example, you just publicly shamed someone who pays for others but asked you for scholarship. It's possible that the ones they pay for are only $5/month and yours is much higher. They shouldn't have to unsub from several others to afford yours.
It's poor taste for Substack to expose others like that.
I really dislike the signaling culture that dominates social media. Most of what gets posted feels shallow, repetitive, or manufactured for attention rather than substance. To be honest, very little of what is posted is worth paying a subscription to. That realization has even forced me to pause and reconsider what I’m offering in my own work.
We don’t have unlimited time or attention, yet so much of it is wasted wading through endless streams of shallow content. At times like this, I can’t help but wish there were an accurate way such as an algorithm or filter that could separate the noise from what’s genuinely worth engaging with. Because I think what we’re really after isn’t just more words or posts; it’s content with weight, clarity, and lasting value; something that solves a real problem or sharpens our understanding. Without that, most of what’s being shared would be better left unsaid.
This all seems a bit complicated to me, and for my brain! Why should we bother/care? I’m here to write, and read good stuff. Feels like more complex admin being thrown at average users.
Really appreciate this breakdown and have to agree with the majority of folks in the comments- not a fan of the flower! I don’t want to commodify my friendships. Like so many of us, I can only afford a couple of pubs, and as I’ve continued on Substack, of course I’ve discovered new writers and friends who I don’t want to be hurt by my lack of financial support. I pay in presence, comments, and restacks… wish that were enough!
Thanks for the explanation, Kristina. I don’t like it because the information is not actually correct. I it shows paid subs that were gifted and it doesn’t accurately display the length of time, etc. I think this should be information between the writer and the reader. As a result, I turned mine to private. The one interesting part of this: it highlights the fact that many bestsellers do not pay for other’s work.
I thought I would read something critical frankly, not a press release with gifs.