I think you should also lay some blame on Apple who have this shitty policy for app store subs. Apple makes it very easy for users but users should really be aware to never use that feature since it's hostile to creators. It's not limited to Substack.
> Most importantly, that means that if writers choose to leave Substack, they won’t be able to port their paid subscriptions over to another platform like they could previously.
That seems like a big change.
Having to abide by Apple’s user-friendly subscription and cancellation policies is small potatoes, compared to vendor lock-in of the subscriptions.
Self hosting and using your payment processor of choice is always the best move. Own your own data or be prepared for the jig to be up at some point. This is what every platform that scales does.
Is it still too hard for people to make their own website blog / newsletters? I know it takes a bit of technical knowledge, but compared to a decade ago there are so many options and tutorials. It's comical at this point the number of platforms that people adopt, love, and then turn hostile towards their users.
Surprised not to find any discussion of Stripe refusing to process payments for otherwise legal content on other platforms (Steam, itch.io, Patreon). It’s very likely their hyper-vigilance will extend to Substack as well.
disclosure: building a substack competitor on atproto
I'm really excited for ATProto as a way to build applications that let you have the benefits of substack (a unified network, recommendations, social features like comments, etc) without the eventual path to lock in.
It's particularly exciting because the incentive is actually there to build an application this way. Whether Bluesky is growing or not, there are currently 30M accounts that you can reach (with one of the best auth systems I've interacted with), AND atproto gives you the building blocks for others to build on your work. Both these things make the bootstrapping problem for any social application way down.
There's still a lot of stuff missing, payments being a big (and gnarly one), notification management being another, but both the bluesky team and the overall ecosystem has been moving at a solid pace, and things are getting more viable by the day.
anyone notice the seemingly big uptick in Substack submissions around here? Like ones reaching the front page, often submitted by newer-ish accounts. What's that about? Did (1) alot of bloggers switch to Substack recently? and (2) is there a concerted effort to take advantage of HN traffic bumps here?
Great post, thanks for the astute analysis. It's such a shame, I was starting to collect a good set of writers I'm following there - and was planning to join them. Maybe beehiiv is worth a closer look.
Although the creator should disclose the link to beehive, I don't think this should be flagged as it's raising valid points and showcasing a worrying trend.
If you're still actively using Substack as a creator, you're obviously very okay with them sending out Swastika missives, and you don't feel it's detrimental to your own brand – you'll not get any sympathy from me.
Apple's advertising campaign "there's an app for that" during the 2010s has liquefied an entire generation's brains into thinking they need to download an app for something that displays words and pictures.
Like most people, I tried most of these apps. It wasn't long before I uninstalled them in favour of the mobile website versions. Most "content" apps provide no value to the user in app form. "Get the app for a better experience" - yeah, better for them. Installing the app is a way for them to access your contacts list, microphone and camera, and use your home screen and notification center as a billboard.
With the growth of the "platform services" lock-in like app stores and wallets, the value drops to practically negative, as now you have to cover not just payment processing fees, but also the passed-down cost of the digital land baron's tariff for the privilege of transacting on their turf.
21 comments
[ 3.4 ms ] story [ 45.9 ms ] threadThat seems like a big change.
Having to abide by Apple’s user-friendly subscription and cancellation policies is small potatoes, compared to vendor lock-in of the subscriptions.
Creators should be happy they're passing the cost to customers. We know they didn't choose to write on substack out of altruism.
If someone thinks you are worth enough to pay 30% more they'll pay. That's always been the case.
(Not that I read their newsletter just was too lazy to cancel)
I'm really excited for ATProto as a way to build applications that let you have the benefits of substack (a unified network, recommendations, social features like comments, etc) without the eventual path to lock in.
It's particularly exciting because the incentive is actually there to build an application this way. Whether Bluesky is growing or not, there are currently 30M accounts that you can reach (with one of the best auth systems I've interacted with), AND atproto gives you the building blocks for others to build on your work. Both these things make the bootstrapping problem for any social application way down.
There's still a lot of stuff missing, payments being a big (and gnarly one), notification management being another, but both the bluesky team and the overall ecosystem has been moving at a solid pace, and things are getting more viable by the day.
anyone notice the seemingly big uptick in Substack submissions around here? Like ones reaching the front page, often submitted by newer-ish accounts. What's that about? Did (1) alot of bloggers switch to Substack recently? and (2) is there a concerted effort to take advantage of HN traffic bumps here?
</subtleconspiracykeepinganeyeon>
worked as a hyperlink instead, same as clicking on the ad itself
not very "denk" imo
Like most people, I tried most of these apps. It wasn't long before I uninstalled them in favour of the mobile website versions. Most "content" apps provide no value to the user in app form. "Get the app for a better experience" - yeah, better for them. Installing the app is a way for them to access your contacts list, microphone and camera, and use your home screen and notification center as a billboard.
With the growth of the "platform services" lock-in like app stores and wallets, the value drops to practically negative, as now you have to cover not just payment processing fees, but also the passed-down cost of the digital land baron's tariff for the privilege of transacting on their turf.
No thanks.