"Substack, the once buzzy newsletter platform, is losing a new swath of writers to rival platforms most people haven't heard of. Just last month, The Ankler, one of Substack's most popular publications, left for a platform that gives it more control over its site. Others who have departed Substack within the past year voiced similar complaints and cite the platform's increased focus on social features as well as a pricing model that puts a chokehold on their business."
"Sean Highkin, the creator of the NBA-focused publication The Rose Garden Report, tells The Verge that he makes "significantly more money" after switching from Substack to Ghost last April. "When I first joined up, [Substack] gave me a big push and featured me and funneled a lot of traffic to me, which led to a good amount of growth," Highkin says. "But once I wasn't one of the 'new recruited talent' they could tout, they stopped featuring me and I saw my growth stagnate.""
"Highkin now pays $2,052 per year using Ghost and an add-on called Outpost, compared to $4,968 per year on Substack. The Rose Garden Report 's subscriber base has grown 22 percent since the end of 2024, Highkin says."
Substack is losing writers to platforms such as Ghost and Beehiiv. Some publications left for greater control over their sites, while others cited Substack’s increased emphasis on social features and a pricing model that constrains their businesses. After moving from Substack to Ghost, an NBA-focused newsletter creator reported earning significantly more money and described Substack’s early promotional support fading once the publication was no longer new. The creator also reported lower annual costs on Ghost with an Outpost add-on and growth in subscribers since late 2024. Similar migration patterns are described for creators moving to Beehiiv.
Read at The Verge
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