Getting your content seen is a constant battle. You are fighting the attention economy for every click and like. But a new route is opening for creators and brands, which is called Substack. It acts as an intersection of a blog and a digital newsletter platform. It is built to create a direct connection with the target audience. Users can create their own site with a custom landing page. You can publish posts that are sent directly to the inboxes of subscribers and archived online. It's a deliberate shift from chasing algorithms to building a loyal community.
The Growing Readership of Substack
The growth numbers of the platform tell the real story. Substack now hosts over 35 million active subscriptions. This includes more than 3 million paid subscriptions. The top writers on the platform are also earning significant revenue. The ten highest-earning publications alone bring in a combined $25 million a year. This is not a niche community. It is a massive, engaged audience looking for quality content.
Substack has made a lot of progress since it was established in 2017 by coming out with new features such as the recommendations feature, an analytics dashboard, boosting posts, and much more. More creators, especially journalists, are turning to Substack for editorial freedom and direct audience connections. The Medianet 2025 Media Landscape Report shows that with only 65% of journalists in full-time roles, independent publishing has become a compelling way to monetize work without gatekeepers.
How Brands Are Using Substack
Smart brands are not only watching the trend but also actively participating in it. They use Substack to build communities and deliver value. This goes beyond simple marketing messages. It is about building direct lines of communication that foster loyalty and trust.
Here are a few brands that are doing it right:
- Madewell: The newsletter of the apparel brand, “Madewell Musings,” shares style guides and behind-the-scenes content. This helps build a complete lifestyle around their products.
- American Eagle: It connects with the Gen Z audience by sharing content on culture and style. The newsletter feels less like an ad and more like a conversation.
- Sprout Social: This B2B software company shares deep industry insights. The newsletter provides real value to marketers, positioning them as thought leaders.
These brands understand the power of an owned audience. They are moving from borrowed attention on social media to earned trust in the inbox. It is a smart, effective strategy for modern brand building.
Summing Up
Substack offers a unique opportunity for businesses. It is more than a simple newsletter tool, a platform for building a dedicated, owned audience. You can share your expertise, tell your brand story, and connect with customers directly. By delivering consistent value to their inbox, you build a relationship that pays dividends in loyalty and growth.
FAQs
Who is the Highest Paid Substack?
The highest paid on Substack is the Lenny newsletter, which has more than 1 million subscribers.
Can Substack Rank on Google?
Yes, content published from Substack ranks on Google.
Can People Read Your Substack for Free?
It mainly depends on the author whether he wants the content to be read by subscription or if it can be read for free by people.
Which Pays Better, Medium or Substack?
Both platforms pay the users for the content that is published, but it depends on the goal of the user.
Why Do Writers Use Substack?
Writers use Substack as it allows them to reach their target audience directly without thinking about the algorithm of the internet.
