I could point to poor mental health or going through addiction, but the main cause was that I believed it needed to be perfect. Before ever starting, I was already doubting my ability and it took a long time to challenge that belief.
I believe this was one of the reasons I slowly stopped writing here. The only thing showing up on my feed seeemed to be posts about how to make posts, notes about how to write notes, and the best way to write a welcoming email.
I’m not sure I consider myself an artist, just retired and wanting to keep my mind and body active which is why I play golf, work at a golf course, run my detailing business, take guitar lessons, create AI art, and write . AI has led me down some interesting paths though…gotta be careful and NOT trust AI too much. A great tool if used properly and carefully IMO 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
"We don’t need another post about how to get 1,000 subscribers. We don’t need another breakdown of a viral note.
We need you."
You're right, but here's the problem: Nobody sees most of us, because the algorithm doesn't promote articles anymore. The algorithm only promotes notes.
That's why 90% of all "posts" on Substack these days look like this:
"You can’t edit a blank page. Make it exist first, make it good later."
Spam.
"Describe your Substack in 5 words!"
Also spam.
"A hotdog is basically a taco."
Canned spam.
Everybody is trying to game the algorithm by flooding Substack with vapid feel-good engagement-bait slop in hopes of getting likes, follows, and subscribes. It's all karma-farming.
Substack has become twitter-lite. It's all karma-farming, all the time now. That's why those open letters to the CEO were going viral last month, and the CEO didn't care... because it seems pretty clear that Substack is shifting from being a place for writing to being twitter-lite.
Visit your publication in the Substack app for proof of that. It's 100% borked. Publication menubars don't exist in the app. Sections? Not in the app. Hell, the app hides publications behind a tiny icon and multiple clicks, and the app fills publications with notes, thus diluting the presence of articles.
The Substack we came here for is dying. It's now twitter-lite. And I suspect it's only going to get worse... sadly.
Man, I would love to disagree with you, but it’s so fucking on point.
We can become cynical and decide that the whole game is rigged, that everyone is a grifter, and that Substack is dead. But cynicism doesn’t change anything.
I believe Substack is different in the sense that it is a sanctuary for refugees from traditional social media. There is a huge amount of people who came here exactly because they are tired of the dynamics you just described.
Substack will change, but we shouldn’t forget that we have some agency and it’s our responsibility to use it. It’s not easy because the platform will nudge you into playing their game. The only answer is to play the game we want to play. Without its creators Substack is empty.
`I really agree with you on this point about having some agency. And while Substack may eventually go the way of enshittification, in the meantime, it's also got a lot going for it, and truly is a refuge for many writers. The platform also rewards collaboration and kindness (whether real or surface-level) and that's a breath of fresh air from the other platforms, indeed.
I enjoyed writing notes as little quirky vignettes then noticed nobody was reading them. It’s ok though. I’m using the notes to capture and record my musings as they come to me throughout the week. The good ones will go into my guide I’m writing.
Important post to all who write here. I've taught English, Creative Writing, and Screenwriting, but I refuse to try to be a guru. I would rather write the things that settled in my brain during a lifetime of children and work.
I accepted the fact that what I’m writing will compete with content explaining “how to write what I’m writing”. It’s like trying to fish in a river of books on how to fish.
Now and again you do find a fish… but only now and again.
Thank you so much for this post. I’m new to Substack, and I really needed this reminder. When you’re building a small structure among skyscrapers, it’s easy to feel out of place—or even invisible. But your post reminded me that the goal isn’t to be seen; it’s to build something of lasting quality. Thank you for that perspective. I appreciate it.
Great article! I started to go down a YouTube rabbit hole of how to optimize my Substack and become one of the top creators in my niche. But I realized those weren't goals I chose for myself. They were given to me by the algorithm. The goal I had was to write about my own struggles and lessons learned so that maybe I could help someone facing the same issues. I'll always choose impact over analytics.
It exists in the handmade space too. Somewhere along the way, the business stopped being about making exceptional products and became about selling people the illusion that there’s a shortcut. Courses on growth. Formulas for going viral. “Secret” algorithms. Meanwhile, the people teaching often make more from aspiring makers than they ever did from the craft itself.
I’m curious to know why you think substack changed…and the speed at which it changed is alarming. When I joined 3 months ago it was a breath of fresh air. Now…it feels like instagram ads
I think it’s most obvious on Notes. The content you can see there reminds me more and more of Twitter. I’m here for more than 12 months and there have been a lot of changes in the wrong direction… but there also have been positive changes. The “Mute/Block” function helps a lot in keeping your feed clean.
It’s something that I am growing increasingly aware of. But still get caught up in
The one course that will teach you everything. The only thing I need to know kind of articles
The ten things that will get me everything I want
The formula. The recipe. To success or traction
You want to get on it. You want to benefit from it . You want to as quickly, painlessly get to your destination.
At a point in my life before the algorithm mayhem I did things. I never expected anything to happen without learning, adapting and considerable effort and time. I knew things took time.
But when you see these articles or people who the algorithm for whatever reason chooses and pushes. You want to also be blessed by it.
What was that we say work smarter not harder.
With 11 subs right now. I need to be self aware and distant from the metrics. I just started. I have lot to learn and it’s okay if that is the destination at this moment in time
What's so troubling about the people making Substack meaningless AI slop, is that this type of social media influencer is already likely thriving somewhere as a corporate stooge. They don't need a side hustle -- yet, there they are, drowning us in useless clickbait.
I've taken your advise and started writing a story I've been putting off since I was in high school. This wednesday will be the 5th installment.
It's slow work, and I am not getting much traffic, but it lives, it's mine, and I've enjoyed doing it.
Wow that’s cool. Why have you been putting it off for so long?
I could point to poor mental health or going through addiction, but the main cause was that I believed it needed to be perfect. Before ever starting, I was already doubting my ability and it took a long time to challenge that belief.
I've been there. Years go by and you wish you already started. Sometimes I force myself. Even five words a day over a long time add up.
I believe this was one of the reasons I slowly stopped writing here. The only thing showing up on my feed seeemed to be posts about how to make posts, notes about how to write notes, and the best way to write a welcoming email.
One would think this platform was owned by Meta.
I think there is still a subculture of real artists here. At least more than on any other social media.
I agree. How do we find each other here?
I see and find them. They are here. Great writers, too.
Even trying to block unwanted posts still takes my time and energy 😱
SO TRUE!
I’m not sure I consider myself an artist, just retired and wanting to keep my mind and body active which is why I play golf, work at a golf course, run my detailing business, take guitar lessons, create AI art, and write . AI has led me down some interesting paths though…gotta be careful and NOT trust AI too much. A great tool if used properly and carefully IMO 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
"We don’t need another post about how to get 1,000 subscribers. We don’t need another breakdown of a viral note.
We need you."
You're right, but here's the problem: Nobody sees most of us, because the algorithm doesn't promote articles anymore. The algorithm only promotes notes.
That's why 90% of all "posts" on Substack these days look like this:
"You can’t edit a blank page. Make it exist first, make it good later."
Spam.
"Describe your Substack in 5 words!"
Also spam.
"A hotdog is basically a taco."
Canned spam.
Everybody is trying to game the algorithm by flooding Substack with vapid feel-good engagement-bait slop in hopes of getting likes, follows, and subscribes. It's all karma-farming.
Substack has become twitter-lite. It's all karma-farming, all the time now. That's why those open letters to the CEO were going viral last month, and the CEO didn't care... because it seems pretty clear that Substack is shifting from being a place for writing to being twitter-lite.
Visit your publication in the Substack app for proof of that. It's 100% borked. Publication menubars don't exist in the app. Sections? Not in the app. Hell, the app hides publications behind a tiny icon and multiple clicks, and the app fills publications with notes, thus diluting the presence of articles.
The Substack we came here for is dying. It's now twitter-lite. And I suspect it's only going to get worse... sadly.
Man, I would love to disagree with you, but it’s so fucking on point.
We can become cynical and decide that the whole game is rigged, that everyone is a grifter, and that Substack is dead. But cynicism doesn’t change anything.
I believe Substack is different in the sense that it is a sanctuary for refugees from traditional social media. There is a huge amount of people who came here exactly because they are tired of the dynamics you just described.
Substack will change, but we shouldn’t forget that we have some agency and it’s our responsibility to use it. It’s not easy because the platform will nudge you into playing their game. The only answer is to play the game we want to play. Without its creators Substack is empty.
`I really agree with you on this point about having some agency. And while Substack may eventually go the way of enshittification, in the meantime, it's also got a lot going for it, and truly is a refuge for many writers. The platform also rewards collaboration and kindness (whether real or surface-level) and that's a breath of fresh air from the other platforms, indeed.
I enjoyed writing notes as little quirky vignettes then noticed nobody was reading them. It’s ok though. I’m using the notes to capture and record my musings as they come to me throughout the week. The good ones will go into my guide I’m writing.
Important post to all who write here. I've taught English, Creative Writing, and Screenwriting, but I refuse to try to be a guru. I would rather write the things that settled in my brain during a lifetime of children and work.
I accepted the fact that what I’m writing will compete with content explaining “how to write what I’m writing”. It’s like trying to fish in a river of books on how to fish.
Now and again you do find a fish… but only now and again.
Thank you so much for this post. I’m new to Substack, and I really needed this reminder. When you’re building a small structure among skyscrapers, it’s easy to feel out of place—or even invisible. But your post reminded me that the goal isn’t to be seen; it’s to build something of lasting quality. Thank you for that perspective. I appreciate it.
Great article! I started to go down a YouTube rabbit hole of how to optimize my Substack and become one of the top creators in my niche. But I realized those weren't goals I chose for myself. They were given to me by the algorithm. The goal I had was to write about my own struggles and lessons learned so that maybe I could help someone facing the same issues. I'll always choose impact over analytics.
Long term, this approach always wins. And it travels across platforms. Thank you for the reminder! Great post.
It exists in the handmade space too. Somewhere along the way, the business stopped being about making exceptional products and became about selling people the illusion that there’s a shortcut. Courses on growth. Formulas for going viral. “Secret” algorithms. Meanwhile, the people teaching often make more from aspiring makers than they ever did from the craft itself.
Good to see someone calling all the B.S out, great work
Ahh, thanks for that - thought I was the only one. I’d stopped for a bit as it was feeling like swimming against the tide. Time to jump in again.
I’m curious to know why you think substack changed…and the speed at which it changed is alarming. When I joined 3 months ago it was a breath of fresh air. Now…it feels like instagram ads
I think it’s most obvious on Notes. The content you can see there reminds me more and more of Twitter. I’m here for more than 12 months and there have been a lot of changes in the wrong direction… but there also have been positive changes. The “Mute/Block” function helps a lot in keeping your feed clean.
I'm slowly, one by one, blocking all the "shovel sellers".
That was actually a good read!
Okay. I needed to hear this.
It’s something that I am growing increasingly aware of. But still get caught up in
The one course that will teach you everything. The only thing I need to know kind of articles
The ten things that will get me everything I want
The formula. The recipe. To success or traction
You want to get on it. You want to benefit from it . You want to as quickly, painlessly get to your destination.
At a point in my life before the algorithm mayhem I did things. I never expected anything to happen without learning, adapting and considerable effort and time. I knew things took time.
But when you see these articles or people who the algorithm for whatever reason chooses and pushes. You want to also be blessed by it.
What was that we say work smarter not harder.
With 11 subs right now. I need to be self aware and distant from the metrics. I just started. I have lot to learn and it’s okay if that is the destination at this moment in time
What's so troubling about the people making Substack meaningless AI slop, is that this type of social media influencer is already likely thriving somewhere as a corporate stooge. They don't need a side hustle -- yet, there they are, drowning us in useless clickbait.