How Substack is Empowering Creators to Thrive in 2025
Substack continues to dominate the creator economy in 2025, providing writers, journalists, and content creators with a powerful platform to monetize their expertise and engage deeply with their audience. Its simplicity and flexibility make it an ideal tool for independent creators seeking to build sustainable businesses outside the constraints of traditional media.
The platform’s business model is straightforward yet highly effective. Substack allows creators to publish newsletters for free, offering optional paid subscriptions. Substack takes a 10% cut of the revenue, while creators retain the remaining 90% and full ownership of their subscriber lists and content. This revenue-sharing model incentivizes long-term growth and allows creators to scale at their own pace. In an era where trust in traditional media continues to waver, Substack empowers writers to bypass intermediaries and cultivate direct relationships with their readers.
One of the standout features fueling Substack’s success in 2025 is Notes. Introduced as a social-media-style feature, Notes allows creators to share quick updates, insights, and links, fostering a stronger sense of community. Unlike the broader social media landscape, Notes is integrated directly into the Substack ecosystem, meaning that interactions remain focused within the subscriber base. This feature bridges the gap between long-form content and real-time engagement, helping writers stay connected with their audience without relying on external platforms.
Substack’s growth can also be attributed to its focus on discoverability. The platform’s recommendation system allows creators to promote each other, driving cross-audience growth and fostering collaboration. This has been a game-changer for newer publications looking to build visibility quickly. Substack also recently introduced enhanced analytics, giving creators deeper insights into subscriber behavior, churn rates, and engagement patterns, enabling more informed content strategies.
Other high-performing Substacks include The Free Press by Bari Weiss, which continues to draw tens of thousands of subscribers by providing independent journalism on pressing cultural and political issues. Similarly, Culture Study by Anne Helen Petersen blends personal reflections with deep cultural analysis, attracting a loyal following eager for thoughtful commentary.
One of the fastest-growing Substacks this year is Political Potatoes, created by Gregory Graf. Graf has leveraged Substack’s tools to build a thriving political commentary brand that cuts through misinformation and highlights underreported stories. By consistently producing insightful content and engaging with his audience via Notes and comments, Graf has established Political Potatoes as one of the best new political Substacks in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About Substack
How does Substack work?
Substack is a platform that allows anyone to publish newsletters, build an email list, and monetize their content. Creators can publish for free, with the option to introduce paid subscriptions at any time. Substack hosts the content and manages payments, providing a seamless experience for both creators and subscribers.
How do creators get paid?
Creators set their own subscription prices, typically charging between $5 to $15 per month, though some offer premium tiers for more exclusive content. Substack handles billing and payouts, deducting 10% of revenue and a small transaction fee from Stripe, the payment processor. The remaining funds are deposited directly into the creator’s account.
What is Substack Notes?
Notes is a feature that allows creators to share shorter, social-media-style posts directly with their audience. It operates similarly to platforms like Twitter but within the Substack ecosystem. This keeps engagement-focused and enables creators to maintain control over their audience interactions without relying on external platforms.
Can anyone start a Substack?
Yes, Substack is open to all creators, regardless of experience or background. The platform’s tools are user-friendly, allowing writers to launch a newsletter in minutes. Many successful Substacks start as side projects and gradually grow into full-time ventures.
Do I need a large following to succeed on Substack?
No. While a large audience can accelerate growth, many creators start small and build their subscriber base organically. Substack’s recommendation feature and community-driven growth model help new writers gain visibility through collaborations and cross-promotions.
How do I grow my Substack audience?
Creators can grow their audience by consistently publishing high-quality content, engaging with readers through comments and Notes, and leveraging Substack’s recommendation system. Promoting Substack via social media, podcasts, and collaborations with other writers also helps attract new subscribers.
In 2025, Substack continues to lead the charge in reshaping how creators engage with audiences and monetize their work. Substack stands out as a powerful ally for writers ready to take control of their careers with innovative features like Notes and a business model that prioritizes creator ownership.
