F ³: No Substack for Me

 

Substack. Do you know what it is?

Lots of cool people have them. You can generate income for your writing by charging a subscription fee if you so desire.

Blogs are passé. Some ‘content creators’ have moved to podcasts, TikTok, even Instagram or Threads to get their content out into the world. And some, more serious writers perhaps, announce the creation of a Substack and invite you to subscribe.

Here’s why I don’t have one.: Revealed: How Substack makes money by hosting Nazi newsletters, Geraldine McKelvie, The Guardian (2/7/2026)

It’s not a short piece but it’s worth the read. The Guardian leads off with this:

Site [Substack] takes a cut of subscriptions to content that promotes far-right ideology, white supremacy and antisemitism.

A more recent article from the CBC elaborates:

But over the last few years, users and journalists have noted that a number of Substack newsletters promote white supremacy, Holocaust denial and neo-Nazism. An investigation by the  Guardian in February found the site not only takes a cut of subscription fees paid for such content but algorithmically promotes it to users.

- - Can Substack rise above the controversies? Cole Cooper, CBC News (8/11/2026)

…not only takes a cut of subscription fees paid for such content but algorithmically promotes it to users.

How does Substack rationalize their choices?

In 2023, Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie wrote:

I just want to make it clear that we don't like Nazis either ... But given that, we don't think that censorship (including through demonetizing publications) makes the problem go away — in fact, it makes it worse.

In short, Substack appears to be saying that the best way to uphold the values of their platform is to treat white supremacists, Holocaust deniers, and neo-Nazis just like everyone else.

I don’t think they are just like everyone else. I think they are hateful, destructive, and dangerous.

I’ve noticed that other folks who are concerned about Substack’s “values” are moving their content to a platform called Ghost. I don’t know much about them but you can learn more here. 

I found a blog post from one such writer who has moved away from Substack to Ghost. It opens with this:

Here’s what I’ll say for myself, I see an internet chock full of communities and services that allow us to talk to each other and share our thoughts. Some of those places welcome Nazis and most of them don’t. I personally gravitate to the ones that don’t welcome Nazis as “just another viewpoint.”

Substack is a private company who controls who can and can not use their services. As Richard Lawler points out for The Verge, Substack has moderation rules in place that prevent some people from using them, but Nazis fall on the “that’s fine with us,” part of the spectrum.

- - I’m always happy I use Ghost and not Substack, but I’m extra happy today, Matt Birchler, Birchtree

It’s interesting to note the date on Birchler’s post: December 22, 2023. This is not some new thing suddenly coming to light. If people are still writing about it in 2026 then what Substack has is not some sudden, inexplicable Nazi problem. It’s long-standing, baked in Nazi-inclusive policy.

And that’s why I don’t have a Substack. 

Village Green/Town² Comments