Substack’s NEW Leaderboards Are Here — What You Need to Know Now

How to use the new tool without sending your nervous system into overdrive

Kristina God from The Online Writing Club with Canva

Hands up if you know what your nervous system actually does?
(You don’t have to really put your hand up — but if you did, I love your energy already! I mean… it’s Monday!)

As I’m working in health, here’s the quick, simple version:

Your nervous system is like your body’s personal control center. It controls everything — your thoughts, your feelings, your actions. It’s made up of your brain, spinal cord, and a whole network of nerves. It helps you think clearly, breathe normally, move your muscles, stay calm when life gets messy, and make good decisions.

I feel this every day with the kids or when I’m working past midnight:

• A healthy nervous system = a healthy, steady me.

• An overwhelmed nervous system = stress, foggy thinking, bad sleep, and feeling like I’m chasing my tail.

I bet you can relate.

Now why am I starting today’s newsletters by talking about biology? No, I didn’t change the topic of my newsletter.

It’s because I think espcieally as a part-time writer, creator, dream-builder protecting your nervous system is everything.

Many of you asked me about Substack’s NEW leaderboard and based on public demand I’m offering a masterclass today at 3.15pm EST on this new (nerve-wrecking) “tool”.

But let me first tell you a bit more about the new Substack leaderboards:

What are Substack Leaderboards?

On a meta level, the new leaderboards bring the Substack ecosystem to life. The tools help writers and creators find new peers, potential collaborators, and inspiration. And they help audiences discover fresh, compelling voices (like yours).

If you zoom in, there are two main types of leaderboards:

Rising Leaderboard

• Rising: Shows the fastest-growing publications in each category - based on paid subscription growth. This is perfect for newer and emerging writers starting to make waves who are not yet on the top bestsellers page.

As a proof of credibility, here’s an example from me rising (I took a screenshot because, well, it was with Cole!):

Top Bestsellers

• Top Bestseller: Highlights the highest-earning publications, ranked by annual recurring revenue (ARR). This celebrates sustainable, long-term success and subscriber loyalty.

As a social proof, I’m #21 globally in Education:

Where to Find The Leaderboards?

• Click on your avatar

• Click on EXPLORE

• Click on one of the 29 categories that interest you

• Check out the new leaderboards in this category

Good to Know About the Substack Leaderboards

You can explore these boards by category such as Humor where you can see top bestsellers globally…

and rising such as tribe member and humor writer Robin Wilding

Who’s “silly” humor Substack reached 5,000 subs today!

FYI - Robin started last summer. Congrats!🥳

Substack Leaderboards Around The World

You can also browse by country to see top publications worldwide.

Here you can see tribe member and fitness, wellness and health writer Valentin Bunea being #1 in Romania 🥳Super!

Leaderboards are updated frequently (Rising every few hours, Bestsellers daily) — and you’ll get a notification when you appear!

Kristina, I’m Rising!!

Kristina, I’m rising!!

Does this mean anything?

How can she rise when she has less subs than me?

What does it mean that I’m #67 in category X

Oh no, yesterday I was rising, today I’m not.

How can I see where I stand in the leaderboard rankings in general?

What about my country? Where am I there?

These are just some of the many questions I got in the last past weeks.

Substack’s leaderboards are amazing — they can show you who’s….

• growing fast

• who’s earning big

• and give you ideas, inspiration, and

• even motivation to keep going (although your list is super teeny tiny).

Attention! Leaderboards Can Send Your Nervous System Into Overdrive

If you're not careful, the new leaderboards can also send your nervous system into overdrive.

Because I know — many of you are checking those leaderboards daily now.
And if you’re not seeing your name? It can mess with your head. Am I right?

Now take a deep breath and repeat after me:

👉 I’m building a soulful community.
👉 A (part-time) business that feels good.
👉 A business I can wake up grateful for — not stressed out about.

In fact, in our tribe, we have incredible writers rising across so many different areas — parenting, education, tech, philosophy, and more. I showed you some. There are many more smallstacker and midstackers (with a teeny tiny audience or growing audience) …

FICTION: Romaric Jannel

PHILOSOPHY:Lawrence Winnerman

CULTURE: Dana DuBois

Some are on the leaderboards.

Some aren’t (yet!).

Both are winning.

I’ll show you how and why.

And Today’s Masterclass is your safe, calm space to learn

Today's masterclass is here to help you use these leaderboards as a tool — not a source of stress.
Because you’re building something soulful and sustainable, not chasing numbers on a screen.

✅ What Substack leaderboards actually are
✅ Why they matter (and why they don’t define you)
✅ How to use them smartly — without hijacking your peace of mind

Because you deserve to build a business that lights you up — without burning you out!

I can’t wait to dive in with you!

See you at 9.15pm EST or 12.15am PT!

Paid members find the Zoom link in the Chat and in the comments!

Not a paid member yet?

Join today to not only attend today’s masterclass but also…

• Start & Make Money with Your Atomic Newsletter in 2025

• Substack’s Secret: The status quo and future of the the platform with William A. Finnegan

See you later!

Kristina