How to Track Substack Followers: A Comprehensive Guide

Substack is a popular platform for writers to share their newsletters with audiences. One of the key metrics for any freelancer or creator is the number of followers or subscribers. This article provides a detailed guide on how to track Substack followers, the limitations, and offers tips for growing your list.

1. Accessing Follower Counts Publicly

Visiting a Substack publication's homepage is typically the most straightforward way to see how many followers the author has. The follower count is generally displayed prominently near the top of the page, often next to the publication's newsletter title. However, if the publication is private or the author has elected not to display the follower count publicly, this information might be hidden. Additionally, some authors may announce their follower milestones in their newsletters or on social media.

2. Tracking Your Own Substack Followers

To track your own followers accurately, you can use Substack's built-in tools or third-party services. On the Substack website, navigate to your profile page; you will see a number next to Followers at the top, reflecting how many people are following you. As more people subscribe to your newsletter, this number will grow. This method provides an up-to-date count of your subscribers.

Alternatively, you can use Substack's search function or browse through categories and interests on the platform to find and manage your followers. However, it's important to note that this list will not include individuals who are following you but not displaying their follower count due to higher security settings.

3. Understanding Follower Metrics and Limitations

Substack does not provide detailed follower metrics, such as email addresses or demographic information, which can be limiting. Unlike other platforms like WordPress, YouTube, or Google Analytics, accessing these detailed statistics on Substack is not straightforward. The backend of Substack is also considered difficult to work with, and it is recommended to use third-party services like Microsoft Word or Google Docs to write and then paste content into the platform.

While services like Google Analytics, SEMRush, or Alexa can track website traffic, only about half of your Substack traffic is directly from the web. The other half comes from email, which is not tracked by these services. Additionally, there is no distinction between followers and email newsletter subscribers. This means that someone could funnel multiple email lists into one newsletter or use the same list for multiple newsletters.

It is highly unlikely that this information would ever be made public, even if Substack were to go public. The company would only release top-level statistics in its public financial filings and earnings reports. For security and privacy reasons, Substack does not provide individual follower counts or detailed subscriber information to users or third parties.

4. Tips for Increasing Your Substack Followers

Here are some strategies to help you grow your Substack followers:

Offer valuable and engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Utilize social media platforms to promote your newsletter and share your content. Engage with your readers by responding to comments and messages. Host webinars or live sessions to interact with your audience in real-time. Collaborate with other writers in your niche to cross-promote each other's newsletters. Run targeted email campaigns to attract new subscribers.

Remember, growing your audience takes time and effort. consistency and quality are key to building a loyal following on Substack.

Conclusion

While Substack does not provide detailed follower metrics, there are ways to track your subscribers and grow your audience. By understanding the limitations and using effective strategies, you can maximize your reach and engagement on the platform. Whether you are a professional blogger or a freelance writer, Substack can be a valuable tool for sharing your content and connecting with your audience.