Substack’s Controversy and Why Some Writers Are Walking Away
A platform built for independence is now facing backlash over moderation, money, and trust
How Substack became so popular
When Substack first took off, it felt like a lifeline for independent writers. Instead of chasing clicks or social media algorithms, writers could send their work straight to people who wanted it and even earn money through subscriptions.
For journalists leaving traditional media, bloggers burned out on social platforms, or niche creators with loyal fans, it was refreshingly simple: write something, hit publish, and it lands in inboxes. No gatekeepers.
Why people started feeling uneasy
As Substack grew, so did criticism. The biggest issue was moderation.
Because Substack takes a hands-off approach to what people can publish, critics say the platform allowed newsletters with extremist views, misinformation, or hateful content to exist alongside everyone else. Substack leaders have defended this as a commitment to free expression, but not everyone is comfortable sharing a platform with that material.
For some writers, it stopped feeling neutral and became a moral dilemma.
On top of that, Substack began promoting certain writers more than others and offering deals to high-profile creators. That made some users feel the platform was not as level a playing field as it once seemed.
The money side of things
Money also plays a role in the exodus.
Substack takes about a 10% cut of paid subscriptions plus payment processing fees. That is reasonable when you are small, but once a newsletter grows, those fees can become significant.
Some creators started asking:
If I bring my own audience, why give away a slice of my income forever?
Others found growth difficult without heavy self-promotion, since Substack’s discovery tools are limited compared to social platforms.
Where writers are going instead
Not everyone is quitting Substack, far from it, but many are diversifying or moving completely. Popular destinations include:
Ghost: Offers more control and transparency, often with a flat monthly cost instead of revenue sharing.
Patreon: Better for creators wanting community, perks, or multimedia content.
Medium: Provides built-in readership, though with less subscriber ownership.
Mastodon: Used by many writers to promote independent blogs or self-hosted newsletters.
Some creators are even building their own websites and email systems to avoid reliance on any single company.
So… is Substack “over”?
Not at all. Many writers continue to thrive there, and plenty of readers do not mind the controversy. But the platform is no longer seen as a universally comfortable home for everyone.
What is happening is a shift: creators are thinking more carefully about where they publish, who they share space with, and how much control they want over their work and income.
The human takeaway
Substack promised independence, and in many ways it delivered. But independence also means responsibility, for the platform and for its users.
For some writers, staying makes sense. For others, moving on feels like the better choice.
Ultimately, this isn’t just about one website. It’s about a bigger question facing every creator online today:
Where can you speak freely, earn fairly, and feel comfortable?
