What it is
Writers and creators host publications on Substack, offer free or paid posts, and optionally sell extras such as courses or community tiers where available. Substack processes payments and applies platform fees as described in its terms and publisher documentation.
Who it is for
People who can publish on a schedule and grow a paying audience. Subscription revenue depends on marketing, pricing, and retention—not on platform guarantees.
How earnings typically work
When readers pay for subscriptions, Substack takes a platform fee and pays out the remainder to creators per payment settings. Exact percentages and payment methods appear in Substack’s terms and help; payment processors may add separate fees.
Risks and limits
Chargebacks, refunds, and account enforcement for content or payment issues can interrupt cash flow. Tax reporting is the creator’s responsibility under applicable law.