Why Substack Is Collapsing: Subscription Model Has Maxed Out

Posted by bookofjoe 7 hours ago

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Comments

Comment by sybercecurity 7 hours ago

Wonder if "internet content subscriptions" could be an indicator of overall economic health. When people see their budgets being stretched, many look to cut expenses and unread newsletter subscriptions would be high on the list. Paid subscriptions its own isn't a good indicator, but maybe something worth looking into. Is also translating to other sites and services?

Comment by mikestew 6 hours ago

It’s not a bad premise. We are both retired tech workers who are doing alright, and a few low-dollar subs won’t having us in the bread line. But where I might let a sub slide because we might use it occasionally, now you have to earn your keep (buh bye, Netflix!). T-Mobile raised rates again, after promising “we won’t raise your rate”? Hello, US Mobile!

My point being that once some trigger is pulled, folks take a harder look at what they’re paying for. For us, it was retirement and “again, T-Mobile?”, and for others it might be the economy in some form (job loss, inflation, et al.)

Comment by faangguyindia 5 hours ago

There are far too many things requiring subscription these days, clearly many people can't afford it

Comment by graemep 5 hours ago

I think its both: how much people can afford, and the number of subscriptions available.

Comment by add-sub-mul-div 5 hours ago

That surely applies to some people. Also there are subscriptions I can easily afford, but the proliferation of the model has turned me against it in principle.

Comment by iamleppert 4 hours ago

I regularly rotate my "subscriptions" credit card number. It's much easier to cancel everything this way (then fight through cancellation flows for each one) and then only add back what I truly need and/or care about. It forces me to make the purchase decision all over again. I feel bad for any businesses that count a subscription as ARR/MRR when, at least for me, it's definitely not.

Comment by iAMkenough 4 hours ago

That and openly welcoming Nazi publications to their platform and income stream.