MODULE 8: Substack’s Internal Growth Tools

Using Platform Features to Build Your Audience Systematically

This module covers Substack’s built-in growth features - the tools the platform provides specifically to help publications find new readers. These tools work within the Substack ecosystem and require no external promotion or social media presence.

Time required is about one to two hours to set up the main features, then minimal ongoing maintenance.

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The Truth About Substack’s Internal Growth

Substack has invested heavily in building growth tools directly into the platform. Unlike external promotion that depends on algorithm changes and platform conflicts, these internal features are designed specifically to help Substack publications grow.

The data supports their effectiveness. Platform-wide statistics show that Substack’s app and network drive 50% of all new free subscriptions. Some of the most successful publications report getting 70-80% of their subscribers through Substack’s internal recommendation system alone.

But these tools are not magic. They require initial setup and they work best when combined with consistent publishing. You cannot set up recommendations and expect 1,000 subscribers to appear overnight. What you can expect is steady, compounding growth as you publish regularly and use these features systematically.

This module teaches you which internal tools matter most, how to set them up correctly, and what realistic results look like.