Twitter backtracks on Substack link restrictions after outcry

Twitter has reportedly stopped throttling tweets containing links to Substack, a popular platform for independent writers and journalists. This comes after several users reported that their tweets containing Substack links were being limited in reach and visibility, leading to accusations of censorship. Twitter had previously claimed that this was due to concerns over spam and fraud, but many criticized the company for unfairly targeting Substack.

It's worth noting that Substack recently launched a new product called Notes, which allows writers to engage in conversations with their subscribers and create new income streams. Some users had theorized that Twitter's throttling of Substack links was a deliberate attempt to suppress alternatives to its platform, including Substack and Notes. While Twitter has now apparently stopped this practice, it serves as a reminder of the power dynamics at play in the world of social media and the ongoing debate over free speech and censorship.

The decision to stop throttling Substack links is a victory for independent writers and journalists who rely on social media to promote their work. Substack has become a popular platform for writers looking to bypass traditional media outlets and build a following through their own newsletters. Twitter is a key tool for these writers to share their work and reach a wider audience, and the throttling of Substack links was seen as a direct threat to their ability to do so.

Substack's Twitter

Our take: Twitter's recent moves to actively suppress its emerging competitors are no secret, as in the case of Mastodon or Hive Social, so it's not far-fetched to rule out Notes as a real alternative to Twitter in Elon's eyes. It will be interesting to keep an eye on this and see if it achieves what no one has been able to yet. Substack's Twitter Substack recently launched a new product called Notes