This is supposed to be a site supporting writers, not market speculators, gamblers, false prophets and snake-oil sales persons. (I'd put an emoji here, but emojis don't seem to be "embedded.")
I speculate that before even the main search box is fixed (posts from most accounts opened within the past year STILL aren't indexed) and other top fixes that support writers will come (1) ads and (2) targeted selling of your profile
If these market speculator people are so unreliable and writers are better, than it should be easy for them to prove it by placing bets on these markets. Political pundits should be more accurate predictors and make more money off these sites if that's the case. If they're just snake oil, it should be easy.
Mike, Can you be more specific please? Is there some software named “COSIGN” that's useful for adding tables? What am I missing here? I've seen writeups about using Markdown, but most seem to be dated from a few years ago. I wasn't able to make that work. Thank you!
I don’t know. I don’t follow the details of Substack enough to understand their strategy. I’m just a writer who wants to use whatever the platform where most readers can view my writing.
Exactly.... I mean if I have to run away from Corporate Lizards only to be eaten by a thing that first looked like a butterfly which now stings as well.
IMHO 5 would be somehow against the core Substack philosophy about no advertising.
Anyway, I tried today to embed a Polymarket bet in a page (100% relevant in context, was about Romanian presidential elections) but it seems to work no more. So, crisis solved. 🙃
No, it's a fantastic addition. Betting markets hold people accountable to their beliefs, and therefore they're more accurate than people's individual predictions.
This is the first time that I gleefully clicked on a Substack email thinking I was going to gain something sound and wise to enhance my newsletter only to find that I now need to take a shower to wash the oil off.
This was me when the Video Cohort of curated content creators with pre-existing robust social followings were trotted out as the examples we can and should follow.
Sol, if our comments will not change anything, then maybe SS shouldn't be surprised if: 1) they go of business because not making enough revenue that suits them, 2) another SS-like platform comes along that caters truly to 'good writing' (and figures out how to financially do this), or 3) current SS writers get tired of having a great-idea so mismanaged and unappreciated.
I understand Substack's motivation to compete with platforms like beehiiv and X, particularly in attracting higher revenue niches, but I have reservations about introducing prediction market embeds.
This feature risks transforming authentic opinions into market-driven narratives, potentially compromising the integrity that makes Substack valuable. It also seems to disproportionately benefit Polymarket over Substack and its writers.
I'm surprised to see this prioritized when there are likely other features that could more directly benefit the Substack community without introducing potential conflicts of interest. How does Substack plan to ensure this enhances rather than detracts from the platform's core value proposition?
This can’t be true: such a fancy feature while the plain post editor is still missing basic blogging / long form writing features like variety of fonts, html, pic and text wrapping etc?? Didn’t Substack boast it’s THE place for writers? Wtf?
Zoe and Sol, I understand where both of you are coming from. But I must say, I'm more inclined in my gut towards Zoe's feelings. I came to SS almost a year ago with high hopes of starting a site of my own. I'm a writer in the vein of Richardson, Vance, Reich, Snyder, Schmidt -- at the intersection of culture and politics. I'm serious about my writing and don't write from my phone on-the-go (as was introduced to us a few weeks ago as a major new feature). I always compose on my desktop with Word and edit numerous times before I consider my piece finished and ready for publication. Why Word? Simple, it has the most robust digital compositional tools available. Maybe a bit revanche, but sleek and it works! So, I don't understand why SS doesn't try to incorporate a simple copy/paste solution into the editor page. Something elegant and seamless like faultless text WITH embedded images. Believe me I've tried communicating to SS Support -- at the time, couldn't get a support person to tell me whether I could import a Word doc or compose and edit directly onto SS. Still waiting... Finally, Sol to your point, it's very evident SS is throwing everything conceivable onto the wall to determine what will enhance more paid subscriptions. Nothing wrong with that ... except I'd say it doesn't seem as if SS had a well-thought out business/marketing plan at the get-go. I'll just stop now.
Not ONE positive comment, Substack devs and staff. Draw your conclusions, this was a glitch of your brains, clean it up please and continue with useful improvements.
Yeah, I can't figure out SS's executive team's thinking. So maybe throw some more spaghetti at the wall...or, start over and determine your mission statement clearly.
Isn't prediction markets just a euphemism for online gambling? How does this help the 99% of writers here? Why is Substack prioritizing this over another round of the Substack Go or Substack Grow series?
I’d pay 1€ to see the minutes of the requirement team meeting where this feature was prioritized and implemented. Technical project manager, come here in disguise and tell us!
That's how the website for Polymarket is set up. I clicked on 'Yes' and was taken to a page that had a $0. So yeah, I had to place a bet if I think USA was going to win. 🤷
I can't help but think we are moving toward advertisements. I really hope each person has a choice about whether to add this subdtack info. I will definitely be leaving Substack, if not. It is why I no longer use Facebook, X and others like that.
Sol, here to stay until something better comes along for serious writers. Or...until SS decides to come clean about finally admitting they're not getting the revenue they had hoped for. Cynthia, unless more revenue is generated for SS, ads are definitely in the future.
Sol, you seem to be a thoughtful and intelligent person. Why should we humble ourselves if we feel that we've been deceived? What is your connection to SS that you hold fast so tightly?
This is supposed to be a site supporting writers, not market speculators, gamblers, false prophets and snake-oil sales persons. (I'd put an emoji here, but emojis don't seem to be "embedded.")
I speculate that before even the main search box is fixed (posts from most accounts opened within the past year STILL aren't indexed) and other top fixes that support writers will come (1) ads and (2) targeted selling of your profile
If these market speculator people are so unreliable and writers are better, than it should be easy for them to prove it by placing bets on these markets. Political pundits should be more accurate predictors and make more money off these sites if that's the case. If they're just snake oil, it should be easy.
Sorry Wayne, money follow the incentives.
You think you know something. Don’t overestimate yourself, nor sidestep the premise.
I don't know anything, Mr. Wayne.
come.
It's nice, but of all the things I wish Substack would do, this is not in my Top 25
Not in my top 2,500.
Yeah, I was trying to be nice
I would never even cross my mind for Substack to do this - the online gambling grift seems well covered and pervasive.
Yes and... where are simple tables? Tables, just tables. Why do I have to create these offline and bring them in as goofy images.
COSIGN
Mike, Can you be more specific please? Is there some software named “COSIGN” that's useful for adding tables? What am I missing here? I've seen writeups about using Markdown, but most seem to be dated from a few years ago. I wasn't able to make that work. Thank you!
Jeff, why do you think Substack is heading in this direction?
I don’t know. I don’t follow the details of Substack enough to understand their strategy. I’m just a writer who wants to use whatever the platform where most readers can view my writing.
Exactly.... I mean if I have to run away from Corporate Lizards only to be eaten by a thing that first looked like a butterfly which now stings as well.
Fair enough.
Like wise me
What is your Top 25? Or Top 5? Genuine question.
1. Integrations
2. Email workflows
3. Triggers (if this, then that)
4. Expand ability to describe subscription offerings
5. Advertising / sponsorship network
.
I don't know what 1 and 2 are about.
Yes, 3 and 5 would be nice, totally.
IMHO 5 would be somehow against the core Substack philosophy about no advertising.
Anyway, I tried today to embed a Polymarket bet in a page (100% relevant in context, was about Romanian presidential elections) but it seems to work no more. So, crisis solved. 🙃
To add to my previous comment, we need to normalize making more accurate political predictions.
No, it's a fantastic addition. Betting markets hold people accountable to their beliefs, and therefore they're more accurate than people's individual predictions.
This is the first time that I gleefully clicked on a Substack email thinking I was going to gain something sound and wise to enhance my newsletter only to find that I now need to take a shower to wash the oil off.
THIS
This was me when the Video Cohort of curated content creators with pre-existing robust social followings were trotted out as the examples we can and should follow.
But yeah, pass the loofah.
I am so glad that I missed this. Ugh!
Omg! Yes!
This comment will not change anything.
Sol, if our comments will not change anything, then maybe SS shouldn't be surprised if: 1) they go of business because not making enough revenue that suits them, 2) another SS-like platform comes along that caters truly to 'good writing' (and figures out how to financially do this), or 3) current SS writers get tired of having a great-idea so mismanaged and unappreciated.
This! Because I might not be heard has never been the thing that kept me from speaking. I’m allergic to apathy.
Wow, Kimberly, I like this attitude.
It’s always worth a try 😀 Thank you.
We shall see.
That’s the problem with a bunch of writers, they’ll put words together anyway.
I came to the comments to figure out if I was the only person confused. (I am not)
So confused. Now that I’m understanding what this is, I am even more confused. WHYYYYYY?
Same.
Likewise. I just don't understand this.
Same
It's not.
Money follow the incentives.
I understand Substack's motivation to compete with platforms like beehiiv and X, particularly in attracting higher revenue niches, but I have reservations about introducing prediction market embeds.
This feature risks transforming authentic opinions into market-driven narratives, potentially compromising the integrity that makes Substack valuable. It also seems to disproportionately benefit Polymarket over Substack and its writers.
I'm surprised to see this prioritized when there are likely other features that could more directly benefit the Substack community without introducing potential conflicts of interest. How does Substack plan to ensure this enhances rather than detracts from the platform's core value proposition?
Yes, for instance what about all the excellent suggestions for improving reader experience with fiction, and serialized fiction especially?
I could vote for prioritizing THIS feature
Why would we fritter away our hard earned agency??
I second the motion.
Money follow the incentives.
The enshittification of Substack begins
Here we go! 🧡
This can’t be true: such a fancy feature while the plain post editor is still missing basic blogging / long form writing features like variety of fonts, html, pic and text wrapping etc?? Didn’t Substack boast it’s THE place for writers? Wtf?
They have investors to satisfy, Zoe.
I understand where you are coming from.
I also understand where they are coming from.
Zoe and Sol, I understand where both of you are coming from. But I must say, I'm more inclined in my gut towards Zoe's feelings. I came to SS almost a year ago with high hopes of starting a site of my own. I'm a writer in the vein of Richardson, Vance, Reich, Snyder, Schmidt -- at the intersection of culture and politics. I'm serious about my writing and don't write from my phone on-the-go (as was introduced to us a few weeks ago as a major new feature). I always compose on my desktop with Word and edit numerous times before I consider my piece finished and ready for publication. Why Word? Simple, it has the most robust digital compositional tools available. Maybe a bit revanche, but sleek and it works! So, I don't understand why SS doesn't try to incorporate a simple copy/paste solution into the editor page. Something elegant and seamless like faultless text WITH embedded images. Believe me I've tried communicating to SS Support -- at the time, couldn't get a support person to tell me whether I could import a Word doc or compose and edit directly onto SS. Still waiting... Finally, Sol to your point, it's very evident SS is throwing everything conceivable onto the wall to determine what will enhance more paid subscriptions. Nothing wrong with that ... except I'd say it doesn't seem as if SS had a well-thought out business/marketing plan at the get-go. I'll just stop now.
Why don't more women like you get involved in successful business? Then they will know what it's like to be at Substack level.
Why don't you build the next Substack, Jacquelyn?
Me too...
This is as far away as possible from the original mission of Substack and its writers community. 😒👎🏽 C'mon, @Hamish. You can do better.
Totally agree! SS originally promoted itself as a site for good writers.
Erin, Hamish isn't the only one involved.
Not ONE positive comment, Substack devs and staff. Draw your conclusions, this was a glitch of your brains, clean it up please and continue with useful improvements.
Yeah, I can't figure out SS's executive team's thinking. So maybe throw some more spaghetti at the wall...or, start over and determine your mission statement clearly.
Isn't prediction markets just a euphemism for online gambling? How does this help the 99% of writers here? Why is Substack prioritizing this over another round of the Substack Go or Substack Grow series?
I’d pay 1€ to see the minutes of the requirement team meeting where this feature was prioritized and implemented. Technical project manager, come here in disguise and tell us!
Promoting online gambling? No thanks.
It’s unethical. And in my birth country is forbidden - one of the few things they get straight.
That's how the website for Polymarket is set up. I clicked on 'Yes' and was taken to a page that had a $0. So yeah, I had to place a bet if I think USA was going to win. 🤷
I think this is really going to benefit my literary newsletter.
😅
Can't tell if you're serious, Daniel.
Sol, I think Daniel is being sarcastic. Sounds like something I'd say and definitely think.
Good to know.
It seems like glorified gambling to me. Unless I'm missing something.
That's a way to put it.
I thought it was some kind of spam.
What a terrible way to announce this feature. For both Substack and polymarket, it looks so cringe.
Most Substack writers won't care at all about this. Next time, target your emails.
I can't help but think we are moving toward advertisements. I really hope each person has a choice about whether to add this subdtack info. I will definitely be leaving Substack, if not. It is why I no longer use Facebook, X and others like that.
Same
Substack is here to stay.
Sol, here to stay until something better comes along for serious writers. Or...until SS decides to come clean about finally admitting they're not getting the revenue they had hoped for. Cynthia, unless more revenue is generated for SS, ads are definitely in the future.
Writers need to humble themselves.
Sol, you seem to be a thoughtful and intelligent person. Why should we humble ourselves if we feel that we've been deceived? What is your connection to SS that you hold fast so tightly?
Jacquelyn, because I'm not a thoughtful and intelligent person.
I'm laughing because~ Humbled folk don't gamble🎲🎰
Yes, not in the traditional way.
🤣
Cringe
Exactly.
Oh dear.