Why Substack is a Good Idea Right Now · AI for LinkedIn

Aug 17 • Ideas

Why Substack is a Good Idea Right Now

Substack has emerged as a powerhouse platform for creators in 2025, blending newsletter publishing, community building, and monetization in a way that's attracting millions of users and significant investment. With rapid user growth, new features, and proven revenue potential, it's an ideal time to create and activate a Substack publication. Below, I'll break down the key reasons, backed by the latest stats, news, growth trends, and features.

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1. Explosive Growth and User Base

Substack is experiencing unprecedented expansion, making it a fertile ground for new creators to tap into a large, engaged audience.

As of early 2025, Substack has surpassed 5 million paid subscriptions, a jump from 4 million in November 2024. This represents over 25% growth in just a few months.
The platform added 1 million paying subscribers in late 2024 and Q1 2025, pushing toward 6 million total.
Total active subscribers (free and paid) number in the tens of millions, creating a vibrant ecosystem where new publications can be discovered easily.
Creator success stories highlight this: One newsletter grew to 65,000 subscribers and $400,000 in annual revenue in under two years without ads. Another financial newsletter became the fastest-growing in its category, reaching 41,000 subscribers.
Retention is strong; one creator reported 91% retention after 90 days post-launch.
Analysis of 75,000 newsletters shows that consistent posting and quality content drive paid conversions, with top performers seeing steady S-curve or linear growth.

This growth momentum rewards active creators: Publications with high engagement (e.g., open rates, clicks, referrals) get algorithmically boosted, appearing in other users' timelines for organic discovery.

2. Recent News and Market Position

2025 has been a banner year for Substack, with funding and recognition underscoring its stability and potential.

In July 2025, Substack raised $100 million in a Series C round, valuing the company at over $1.1 billion. Investors like Bond and the Chernin Group are betting on its subscription model amid a creator economy boom.
Named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies in 2025 for defying odds by building a profitable model around original writing, despite not yet being profitable overall.
Major media outlets like New York Magazine are now publishing newsletters on Substack to reach audiences directly.
Trends show rising popularity in topics like AI, politics, and lifestyle, drawing more creators and readers. Even established figures like Dan Koe and Justin Welsh (with millions of followers and $5M+ businesses) launched Substacks in 2025 for deeper audience connections.
However, there's some controversy: Post-Trump inauguration, a wave of creators left due to perceived ideological shifts, but this hasn't slowed overall growth.

These developments signal Substack's maturity as a platform, making it timely to join before saturation increases.

3. Key Features for Creators

Substack's tools are designed for ease, growth, and monetization, combining the best of email, social media, and publishing without algorithm dependency.

Publishing and Distribution: Create newsletters, podcasts, or videos; posts are emailed directly to subscribers and pushed to the Substack app's timeline for broader visibility.
Monetization: Built-in paid subscriptions (Substack takes 10% cut), with options to tease content (e.g., video portions for free users). New in 2025: Direct video monetization and posting from the app.
Growth Tools: Recommendations (cross-promote with other creators), SEO customization for better search rankings, and CTAs for conversions. "Hidden" features like referral velocity boost momentum.
Analytics: Advanced tracking of open rates (often 45%+), clicks, subscriptions, and reader engagement scores (e.g., 5-star rankings).
Community and Ownership: Direct audience ownership (no platform lock-in), free tier for broad access, and tools for long-form content that foster loyalty. It's free to start, with no paywalls for basic use.
Business Fit: Ideal for side hustles or full businesses; one strategy hit $156,960/year through consistent growth.

4. Why Create and Get Active Now?

Timing Advantage: 2025 is dubbed "the year of Substack" by creators, with authentic growth outpacing social media's volatility. Starting now lets you build before competition intensifies—many hit plateaus at 500 subscribers without strategy, but tools like recommendations can accelerate past that.
Economic Edge: In a creator economy valuing direct revenue over ads, Substack's model (e.g., micro-subscriptions) is lucrative.
Low Barrier: Free to launch, with tutorials for beginners; focus on quality content and consistency for 2025 growth goals like 6,000 subscribers.
Balanced View: While some cite cons like lower open rates for new users or platform shifts, pros (e.g., SEO improvements, data insights) outweigh them for most.

In summary, Substack's combination of scale, funding-backed stability, creator-friendly features, and proven paths to revenue make it a smart move in 2025. If you're a writer, podcaster, or business owner, starting now positions you to ride the wave—many top creators are "going all-in" for a reason.

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