Substack introduces the ability for writers to curate a ‘network’ of recommended publications for their subscribers

Substack has introduced an update to its platform, enabling writers to curate and share lists of publications for their subscribers to follow. This move marks a departure from the centralized discovery and control of social media platforms, instead embracing a peer-to-peer recommendation system. By allowing writers to recommend other writers to their audience, Substack aims to facilitate audience growth for its creators.

Previously, Substack’s recommendation system displayed a maximum of three publications suggested by the writer. With the update, writers now have the flexibility to curate and share lists of as many publications and profiles as they desire. When a reader subscribes to a publication, they will have the option to opt into following a network of recommended writers chosen by the publisher. Subscribers can then customize their feed by selecting or deselecting the recommended publications and profiles.

This update empowers writers to leverage their networks to help their audience discover and engage with other creators on the platform, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among Substack writers and subscribers.

Substack’s latest update aims to foster goodwill among writers by enabling them to reach a wider audience while also assisting readers in curating their worldview. By allowing writers to recommend other creators to their subscribers, the platform seeks to facilitate community-building and collaboration among its users. Writers will be able to track the impact of their recommendations by monitoring the number of subscriptions and follows they drive for others in their network.

According to Substack, recommendations are a significant driver of new subscriptions, accounting for 50% of all new subscriptions and 25% of new paid subscriptions. Early data suggests that Substack’s approach to recommendations leads to increased subscriptions and followers for both publications and individual users.

In addition to the recommendation update, Substack announced that its platform now boasts over three million readers subscribed to paid newsletters, a notable increase from two million subscribers just a year ago. This growth highlights the platform’s continued appeal and popularity among both writers and readers alike.