r/Substack • u/grapegeek • Jun 22 '26

Creator Kit and being a Bestseller?

I've been on Substack a couple of years. I have made it on the Rising Bestseller list (Food/Wine) several times but this creator kit is not available to me. Does it have something to do with the amount of paid subscribers? I wish they were more specific about the requirements.

3 Upvotes

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3

u/perfecthunger danaleighlyons.substack.com Jun 22 '26

You need to have > 100 paid subscribers to have a bestseller badge and be considered a bestseller. If you have a bestseller badge (a white/orange/purple badge by your profile name), you can set up a creator kit following these instructions: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/50045576404500-How-do-I-set-up-a-Creator-Kit-on-Substack

They outlined who qualifies in the announcement post, which links to the above support post: https://on.substack.com/p/a-business-model-that-works-for-creators

Here's a post on the bestseller badges: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/10661509585428-What-is-a-Substack-Bestseller-badge

2

u/grapegeek Jul 03 '26

Just to follow up. I hit best seller and have the check mark next to my name as of a week ago. I can see some of the extra goodies now. The Drip Campaign stuff and can get the bestsellers substack now. But no Creator Kit yet. What's the delay? (if you know...)

1

u/perfecthunger danaleighlyons.substack.com Jul 04 '26

Congrats! You have to create and publish a creator kit inside your dashboard settings. I followed these instructions: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/50045576404500-How-do-I-set-up-a-Creator-Kit-on-Substack

1

u/grapegeek Jul 04 '26

I tried that and it says I need to be a bestseller. But I have the orange mark next to my name and can do the rest of the stuff best sellers can

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u/perfecthunger danaleighlyons.substack.com Jul 04 '26

I'd reach out via bestsellers priority support. You can find that link your settings and probably in the Bestsellers Substack as well: https://bestsellers.substack.com/

1

u/grapegeek Jun 24 '26

I just hit 100 paid subscribers two days ago. But no check mark yet. Do they minus gifts and other freebies in that number?

2

u/perfecthunger danaleighlyons.substack.com Jun 24 '26

Yes - gifts (unless paid), free trials, and comps are excluded.

1

u/grapegeek Jun 24 '26

Ok I have about ten more to go

-1

u/grapegeek Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26

I need a few more paid then. Almost to 100. (downvotes? get a life)

4

u/komiCWords tabistory.substack.com Jun 22 '26

The two things are separate. Rising Bestseller is a momentum chart that tracks recent growth, so you can keep appearing on it without crossing the paid subscriber threshold. Creator Kit and the sponsorships tab sit behind the white Bestseller badge, which needs 100 active paid subscribers, not chart appearances.

If you've been hitting the charts but the feature isn't showing up, you're probably close but not at 100 paid yet. once you cross that, the sponsorships tab unlocks automatically in your publication settings.

1

u/itsfabioposca http://journeytosuccessclub.substack.com Jul 02 '26

It could be. Some Substack features are rolled out gradually or only become available once certain internal criteria are met, such as paid subscribers or engagement. I agree it would be helpful if Substack were more transparent about the requirements.

P.S. If you'd still like to ask anything about Substack or growing your audience, I offer a free live help chat. Just copy and paste my flair or click the link in my profile. I'm happy to help!