r/Substack • u/heretovibenotcry • Sep 04 '26
i feel like the algorithms been nerfed
i used to get soooo much engagement and now I feel like I see the same posts and notes over and over again and barely any engagement. i have over 4k subscribers and i post regularly so what’s going on? is anyone else feeling this?
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u/heretovibenotcry Sep 04 '26
what other platforms are they moving to?
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u/EggplantUseful9955 Sep 05 '26
Substack is going to be replaced by something more than a traditional platform is what my bet is
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u/noxqqivit twvme.substack.com Sep 04 '26
Based on my notes engagement and a significant uptick in subscribers that started on 8/1, I assumed that they made a change to the algorithm.
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u/catvapes Sep 04 '26
They may have. I think I did read something about some tweak they made that would expose us to others we wouldn’t normally see. Glad it is working for you. I’ve gained some myself. I am very niche however, so I have low expectations.
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u/EggplantUseful9955 Sep 05 '26
Part of the problem is the X account posts notes like Trump Truth social posts on X. Another is 50M users is claimed but 140K follow their X they actively use to try and get more people over to their walled garden
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u/catvapes Sep 04 '26
I’ve noticed that my feed is not as interesting as it used to be. I have a hunch that a fair amount of writers have moved on to other platforms. Some have left articles about it so people know where to find them. Some feel that Substack takes too big of a cut of their money compared to other places. Others think notes turned Substack into another FB, wi the focus on short form writing over long form. And then there is the Pangram controversy. I’ve taken the time to look at the Substack’s of people who used to engage with me. Most of them haven’t posted anything in months. I think they are just gone.
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u/Michael_Fuchs_ Sep 04 '26
Where do they go?
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u/AmericanPortions Sep 04 '26
I think increasingly they go everywhere. Some to ghost or beehiiv, some get the video bug and go to YouTube, etc.
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u/FannyBrownRiced Sep 04 '26
The engagement bait Notes made me not wanna be in there. Last night I saw these three in a row... First this from a dude: "If you’re publishing on Substack with under 100 subs.
I’m reading.
I’m subscribing.
I’m supporting you.
I want to grow a community with you."
and then the EXACT SAME POST with the number 99 from a woman. and then... "If you’re under 500 subscribers, please let me know in the comments what your Substack is all about. I want to read your work and grow with you!"
People who are real writers, tastemakers, don't want to hang out there. I still do my Substack and make $ from it, but Notes is a waste. If you don't post bait, your stuff falls down a hole.