Rude surprise for Substack creators. Most creators rely on Twitter. It's their number one driver for growth - Musk knows this and bans links and content from Substack.
Stupid question but can you not create bitly links or use other tools for shortening links or will twitter / X still see it’s a substack link?. I don’t use twitter
My shares get on Twitter without problems. I just wish it has the cover pictures like sharing on Facebook. I don't think Musk sees Substack Notes as threat because Notes are just for writers. Can't replace Twitter's broad audience.
Hi Sam, sorry for the late reply. Musk allowed sharing a link again BUT as you say the cover picture/thumbnail is missing. People love to click on pictures so I see only a few people who click my link. It used to be much more. Conversion used to be 40% now I almost get zero new subs from Twitter
It's definitely not a good move on Musk's part in my opinion. Banning competing platforms makes Twitter look irrelevant and abusive. If they truly care about freedom of speech and user choice, they shouldn't have a problem with links to Substack. Period. I like Twitter, and I plan to keep using it, but this move just seems petty on their part.
Hi Michael, I'm glad we can share links to our Substack posts again but the cover image/thumbnail is missing. You can make a screenshot of your post and tweet it with the link for instance. But the time where you could get lots of subs via Twitter is over I think...
Agreed. It's sad. Twitter used to be such a great platform. I suppose that just underscores the idea that we need to be as platform independent as possible. Relying too much on one isn't a good long term plan.
It's definitely not a good move on Musk's part in my opinion. Banning competing platforms makes Twitter look irrelevant and abusive. If they truly care about freedom of speech and user choice, they shouldn't have a problem with links to Substack. Period. I like Twitter, and I plan to keep using it, but this move just seems petty on their part.
I guess Twitter is here to stay so I wouldn't worry about this. But who knows 😂 I guess it's important to convert as much followers from Twitter to Substack as possible. I wouldn't put all eggs in one basket but keep sharing on Twitter. Elon now allows Substack content again but shadowbanns Substack.
Yes, there has been a U-Turn! However, Substack is shadowbanned. If you search for Substack content you get #newlsetters# content. I'm also glad we can keep sharing our Substack links but who knows what will come next. I guess Elon doesn't want to see Matt Taibbi and other famous writers leave Twitter
Hi Eric, there's always a gatekeeper on any platform, you're right about your observations. Luckily, Substack links work again but Elon is now shadowbanning Substack... Let's wait and see
Have you looked at Post News I have been posting content there and although not given it much time I have picked up a steady flow of followers. My other tip would be to use Instagram, I download the media assets and then link to my Substack in my profile. I get twice as much traffic from there as I do from Twitter.
Hi Sam, for sure. Instagram is great and has changed a lot BUT I used to be an Insta influencer.... and I wouldn't want to go back :D but that's another story. From a marketing persepctive, it's definetly super smart what you do. I'll take a look at Post News. Thanks so much, Happy Easter, Kristina
I'm not surprised, Musk is extremely reactionary and alarmingly impulsive.
He makes snap decisions, doesn't stop to think them through, and tends to have abrupt realizations shortly afterward that leave Twitter users with whiplash.
I'm frustrated by it, but the platform is not exactly healthy for people who write in my subject anyhow so maybe it's for the best that I pull back a little...still. It sucks to lose access to a way to market my work there. At least I still have Medium!
Hey, they are back. Same with Substack. However, Twitter is shadowbanning Substack and its founders now. If you type in "Substack" you will be directed to #newsletters# in general
What? I can't believe this. Just checked it. It's true. Thanks so much. You always stay on top of all things related to Substqck, Medium and so many other platforms. Thanks! Happy Easter
Yes, I just started on Medium ... that's how I found you. https://authormgil.medium.com ... and I was just accepted into the Medium Partner Program too! :) I'm writing on Medium as an "experiment" (I do a lot of those with my writing) to see how much traffic I can get to my Substack.
Absolutely! I'm glad we can link to our Substack content again but let's wait and see what comes next. If you search for Substack on Twitter you get tweets about #newsletters#.
Stupid question but can you not create bitly links or use other tools for shortening links or will twitter / X still see it’s a substack link?. I don’t use twitter
My shares get on Twitter without problems. I just wish it has the cover pictures like sharing on Facebook. I don't think Musk sees Substack Notes as threat because Notes are just for writers. Can't replace Twitter's broad audience.
Hi Sam, sorry for the late reply. Musk allowed sharing a link again BUT as you say the cover picture/thumbnail is missing. People love to click on pictures so I see only a few people who click my link. It used to be much more. Conversion used to be 40% now I almost get zero new subs from Twitter
It's definitely not a good move on Musk's part in my opinion. Banning competing platforms makes Twitter look irrelevant and abusive. If they truly care about freedom of speech and user choice, they shouldn't have a problem with links to Substack. Period. I like Twitter, and I plan to keep using it, but this move just seems petty on their part.
Hi Michael, I'm glad we can share links to our Substack posts again but the cover image/thumbnail is missing. You can make a screenshot of your post and tweet it with the link for instance. But the time where you could get lots of subs via Twitter is over I think...
Agreed. It's sad. Twitter used to be such a great platform. I suppose that just underscores the idea that we need to be as platform independent as possible. Relying too much on one isn't a good long term plan.
Couldn't agree more. It's all rented land except our mailing list :D
Truth! That's why it's so important to build a list! :)
It's definitely not a good move on Musk's part in my opinion. Banning competing platforms makes Twitter look irrelevant and abusive. If they truly care about freedom of speech and user choice, they shouldn't have a problem with links to Substack. Period. I like Twitter, and I plan to keep using it, but this move just seems petty on their part.
Disappointing. I am just starting to build my twitter audience. Now I'm wondering if I should revise my strategy.
I guess Twitter is here to stay so I wouldn't worry about this. But who knows 😂 I guess it's important to convert as much followers from Twitter to Substack as possible. I wouldn't put all eggs in one basket but keep sharing on Twitter. Elon now allows Substack content again but shadowbanns Substack.
Yes. I notice that.
Seems like the links have been restored. Link click warning is no longer there, at least for my Twitter/Substack links. Has there been a U-Turn??
Yes, there has been a U-Turn! However, Substack is shadowbanned. If you search for Substack content you get #newlsetters# content. I'm also glad we can keep sharing our Substack links but who knows what will come next. I guess Elon doesn't want to see Matt Taibbi and other famous writers leave Twitter
Do you know whether that shadowbanning applies also to twitter accounts that represent Substacks, or just posts that link to Substacks?
E - if you're surprised you haven't been paying attention. Musk never had a "free speech principle."
Hi Eric, there's always a gatekeeper on any platform, you're right about your observations. Luckily, Substack links work again but Elon is now shadowbanning Substack... Let's wait and see
Have you looked at Post News I have been posting content there and although not given it much time I have picked up a steady flow of followers. My other tip would be to use Instagram, I download the media assets and then link to my Substack in my profile. I get twice as much traffic from there as I do from Twitter.
Hi Sam, for sure. Instagram is great and has changed a lot BUT I used to be an Insta influencer.... and I wouldn't want to go back :D but that's another story. From a marketing persepctive, it's definetly super smart what you do. I'll take a look at Post News. Thanks so much, Happy Easter, Kristina
I'm not surprised, Musk is extremely reactionary and alarmingly impulsive.
He makes snap decisions, doesn't stop to think them through, and tends to have abrupt realizations shortly afterward that leave Twitter users with whiplash.
I'm frustrated by it, but the platform is not exactly healthy for people who write in my subject anyhow so maybe it's for the best that I pull back a little...still. It sucks to lose access to a way to market my work there. At least I still have Medium!
I pointed my Substack to a separate domain, and the link still seems to work on Twitter, much like the bit.ly link I guess:
https://twitter.com/pgrahamstrong/status/1643226879837581312
Cool! Apparently links work again but Musk is now shadowbanning Substack...
He's getting too big for his britches. I hope he never follows through on buying Substack.
I shared your post, but deleted the link. So far, they have not banned me or done any other bad things to me. ;-)
Hi Borlok, Thanks! Elon suspended Substack Inc. and you can't acces the profile of Substack's founders anymore.... horrifying
Kristina, are you sure that only you can't view them? I'm able to see @cjgbest, @hamishmckenzie, and @SubstackInc
Hey, they are back. Same with Substack. However, Twitter is shadowbanning Substack and its founders now. If you type in "Substack" you will be directed to #newsletters# in general
Yeah, this really sucks.
I wrote about this change on Medium too.
Twitter has truly taken a turn for the worse.
https://medium.com/illumination/two-recent-developments-on-twitter-and-substack-that-changed-my-mind-about-those-two-platforms-d0a8aca9fdd8
twitter feels like a joke to me at this point. I barely invest time into it.
What? I can't believe this. Just checked it. It's true. Thanks so much. You always stay on top of all things related to Substqck, Medium and so many other platforms. Thanks! Happy Easter
Made my day. Thanks! Apparently Musk reversed the ban but shadow banned Substack
Wondering if link shorteners work (like bit.ly or Buffer)?
Hi Maureen, You're so smart!! I tried it and bit-ly works! bit.ly/417dpco
The question is for how long. Twitter will find a way to stop us, don't you think?
Happy Easter and thanks for your great suggestion. Don't tell anyone... haha
Also, I think that custom domains are okay as of this moment.
Awesome! :)
Super cool tip Maureen. Shared it on Medium. Are you also on Medium? https://medium.com/online-writing-101/twitter-vs-substack-elon-musks-latest-ban-of-substack-links-leaves-creators-frustrated-a42cbd727907
Hi Maureen, found and followed you ❤️
Yes, I just started on Medium ... that's how I found you. https://authormgil.medium.com ... and I was just accepted into the Medium Partner Program too! :) I'm writing on Medium as an "experiment" (I do a lot of those with my writing) to see how much traffic I can get to my Substack.
👍 awesome. Congrats! Experimenting is always smart
Silly Elon Musk
Absolutely! I'm glad we can link to our Substack content again but let's wait and see what comes next. If you search for Substack on Twitter you get tweets about #newsletters#.