Substack revamps mobile app, shifting from newsletter model to social media format

Substack, the subscription-based publishing platform, has launched a redesign of its mobile app, shifting from its newsletter-focused model to a more standard social media format. The new "Home" tab is the primary point of entry, displaying large cards featuring posts from user subscriptions. Beneath these cards, a Substack Notes feed displays content classified as "Explore" (recommendations) and "Following". This queue prioritizes new posts from paid subscriptions, saved content, and frequently read publications, with the goal of improve reader experience and increase writer retention.

The updated app's Inbox tab arranges subscriptions chronologically and includes a swipe feature to save or archive posts, and users can choose between the classic inbox layout and a compact version. They will have the option to use filters to view only saved posts and audio posts, and the company promises more customizable features in the future. The app also introduces a new chat section, relocates notifications to a bell icon at the top of the screen, and moves the user's profile picture to the right side of the screen. Clicking on the profile picture will direct users to their subscription library.

Chris Best, Substack's founder and CEO, emphasizes that the platform's business model centers on maximizing user satisfaction, setting it apart from other platforms, and with the mobile app accounting for over 25% of Substack subscriptions, these updates are critical for the platform's expansion. In general, the redesign transitions towards a more social network-like structure, allowing users to follow writers without subscribing to their newsletters, which is appreciated considering that one of its goals is to provide a different alternative to platforms like X or Threads.