What Substack's Recent Algorithm Changes Mean for Progressive Writers
Make a living writing about what matters. No fluff, no sell-out tactics—just craft, tools, and the real economics of values-driven work.
I’ve been at this about a year. It’s been a wild ride. And I’m really proud of Progressive Strategy Now and the growing community of readers and peer authors.
I’m hungry for community on the author side of things. And I’m struck by how fast Substack is growing, especially in this progressive impact space. It’s encouraging. It’s also intimidating. Dozens of new blogs every week.
Will anyone keep reading my stuff? Is it possible to build a writing career when everyone and their dog can write blogs now using AI? Do I have to sell my soul and get an MBA in marketing to grow my business?
My whole writing framework revolves around this: Stay human, stay strategic, shape tomorrow. Will I be able to do that as Substack grows more competitive?
So I did a deep dive into Substack’s recent announcements about their algorithm. Not to game the system. To understand if the game has changed.
Here’s what matters for writers like us.
If you think serious content can’t compete with entertainment
The algorithm changed. Fundamentally.
Substack’s head of machine learning said it explicitly: they optimize for subscriptions and paid conversions, not engagement or time spent scrolling. That’s the opposite of every other platform.
X wants you scrolling forever to see ads. Instagram needs you trapped. TikTok profits from your attention. They all optimize for the same thing: keep you on the platform, maximize ad revenue, serve their real customers (advertisers, not you).
Substack only makes money when you make money. So their algorithm is built to connect readers with work they’ll actually subscribe to and pay for.
What does this mean? Substantive content about difficult topics—inequality, authoritarianism, climate—actually performs better than entertainment. Because people pay for ongoing value, not quick hits.
Your serious work isn’t automatically algorithm-disadvantaged. It’s algorithm-privileged if it helps people who are willing to pay for more.
About that growth vs. integrity question
You don’t have to choose.
The shift to subscription-optimization means quality writing that solves real problems converts better than clickbait. The algorithm is learning to downrank engagement bait because it doesn’t lead to paid subscriptions.
I’ve tested this. My posts and Notes that name hard patterns and offer concrete practices outperform my attempts at viral hooks. Every time.
Growing your audience and staying true to your values aren’t at odds anymore. At least not on this platform.
That’s the strategic opportunity here.
If networking advice exhausts you faster than writing does
Here’s the insight that changed everything for me: writer restacks are the real growth engine.
When another writer (not just a reader) restacks your Note, the algorithm learns that your audiences overlap. It starts connecting those audiences. This creates what Substack calls a “virtuous cycle”—your work gets shown to people who are already subscribing to similar writers.
This isn’t performative networking. It’s strategic coalition-building.
Find 15-20 progressive writers whose work you genuinely respect and whose audiences overlap with yours. Restack their best work. They’ll likely reciprocate. The algorithm learns to connect your communities.
This is the network effect at scale. And it’s driving about half of all subscriptions on the platform right now.
You’re not shouting into the void. You’re building bridges between audiences who actually want what you’re offering.
If you can’t tell if Notes are worth your time
Yes. They’re worth it.
The Substack app now drives more than a third of all paid subscriptions on the platform. Notes that clearly communicate your value proposition—who you are, what you do, why someone should care—convert readers into subscribers.
But here’s what’s not obvious: consistency beats virality. The algorithm rewards regular presence over occasional viral hits because it learns your voice and gets better at showing your work to the right people over time.
Post 3-4 substantive Notes per week. Not random thoughts. Not engagement bait. Clear value. Strategic reframes of current issues. Concrete practices. Pattern-naming.
Give the algorithm time to learn who your people are. Then it does the work of connecting you.
What This Means for Your Practice
The platform is growing fast. Competition is real. But the game isn’t what you thought.
You don’t need to become an entertainer. You don’t need to master marketing tactics that feel gross. You don’t need AI to churn out generic content.
You need to write work that matters enough that people will pay for it. Show up consistently. Build strategic relationships with other writers. Make your value clear.
Stay human. Stay strategic. Shape tomorrow.
That’s not just my motto. That’s apparently how this algorithm works too.
Writing for Progressive Impact is about building a stable, ethical writing life. Subscribe for practical insights on craft, tools, and the real economics of values-driven writing. My goal is to foster a vibrant community of writers. No paywalls.
Recent posts from Substack about changes in the algorithm:
Good stuff. Thanks. I thought I was a subscriber already. So, just in case, hit the subscribe again. I am an artist transitioning into a writer and a copy editor. But, AI has me throwing in the towel in on my chapter two ideals. We shall see. I recently self-published a memoir, part of it addressing how I became an activist. My story is so relatable and almost cliche that I thought I should put it out there for other women to feel some camaraderie. I like what you have shared here. I just need to get a little more courage. That’s all. Thanks so much! My book is, if you don’t mind me posting here, “Finding My Own Gold Star” on Amazon.
This was wonderful, thank you.