The hottest Platforms Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top News Topics
The Honest Broker 23970 implied HN points 22 Sep 23
  1. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are becoming hostile towards writers, leading many to leave.
  2. Substack and similar platforms are providing alternative models that support writers and creators more effectively.
  3. The economics of social media platforms prioritize generating revenue from ads and scrolling, making it challenging for long-form content like articles to thrive.
The Popehat Report 4611 implied HN points 30 Jan 24
  1. The Popehat Report is moving to Beehiiv, a different platform for blogs and newsletters.
  2. Ken White made the decision to switch platforms for several reasons, including the opportunity for design changes and a more 'bloggy' feel.
  3. The new platform will allow for easy subscription management and Ken White will still be present on Substack as a co-host on Serious Trouble.
Mostly Python 1257 implied HN points 29 Feb 24
  1. The author is moving their newsletter from Substack to Ghost as they feel Ghost is a better fit due to its focus on writing and its open-source foundation.
  2. It's important to consider the platform's business model when deciding on a service, as sustainable revenue streams can help avoid unwanted platform changes and dark patterns.
  3. Being able to export your data easily and understanding the platform's funding history are crucial factors to consider when choosing a service for the long term.
Caitlin’s Newsletter 544 implied HN points 15 Mar 24
  1. Caitlin Johnstone now offers high-quality video versions of her articles for those who prefer video format.
  2. The videos feature subtitles, a reading of the articles by her husband Tim, relevant screenshots, and occasional light-hearted moments.
  3. Caitlin Johnstone also provides audio versions of her articles on platforms like Soundcloud, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.
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Glenn Greenwald 4165 implied HN points 11 Sep 23
  1. Glenn Greenwald's content moved from Substack to Rumble and Locals platforms for greater reach and independent journalism.
  2. Greenwald focuses on a 90-minute live nightly show called SYSTEM UPDATE, reaching a larger audience through videos and podcasts.
  3. Daily transcripts of the show are available to Locals subscribers, along with exclusive after-show sessions for audience engagement.
12challenges 342 implied HN points 26 Feb 24
  1. Personal websites provide a way to express oneself independently from big platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
  2. AboutIdeasNow.com is a directory that helps users search across 7k+ personal sites to find interesting people directly.
  3. The platform combines content from '/about', '/now', and '/ideas' pages on personal sites to create a searchable place for connecting with fascinating individuals.
Technology Made Simple 119 implied HN points 18 Mar 24
  1. When designing a live streaming platform like Twitch, key steps include ingestion, transcoding, packaging, CDN utilization, and database management.
  2. Challenges like low latency, scalability, and reliability must be addressed for the success of a live streaming platform.
  3. To enhance a streaming service further, consider advanced technologies like adaptive bitrate algorithms, advanced caching, and community features.
12challenges 147 HN points 07 Mar 24
  1. AI could threaten the $1 trillion adtech industry by reducing the number of ads we see, impacting both demand and supply sides.
  2. The availability of advertising space (inventory), which is essentially our attention sold by Big Tech, underpins the adtech industry's massive revenue.
  3. AI operating systems and advancements could play a major role in reducing ad consumption, potentially affecting giant tech companies like Meta and Alphabet.
The J. Burden Show 279 implied HN points 25 Jan 24
  1. The user has appeared on several podcasts recently discussing topics like Christianity, conservatism, and current events on the Southern Border.
  2. The appearance span across different platforms including podcasts and Youtube, showing a diverse range of content and discussions.
  3. The user's work is reader-supported, encouraging subscriptions to receive new posts and support their efforts.
News Items 235 implied HN points 28 Jan 24
  1. Episode #7 of Night Owls podcast features John Ellis and Joe Klein discussing various topics like the New Hampshire primary, Nikki Haley, cyber-hacking of elections, deep fake audio/video, and Mark Zuckerberg.
  2. The podcast can be found on various platforms like Apple, Amazon, Spotify, and iHeart.
  3. Upcoming episodes of the podcast will feature guests like Rita Singh and Steve Coll, delving into voice profiling and the relationship between the United States and Saddam Hussein.
Why is this interesting? 1628 implied HN points 25 May 23
  1. The evolution of platforms can be a cycle: starting with user focus, then prioritizing business interests, and finally turning inward for maximum value.
  2. YouTube stands out as a platform that has maintained quality over the years despite criticism.
  3. YouTube offers a diverse range of content that appeals to various interests and preferences, making it a beloved platform for many users.
The Rectangle 84 implied HN points 01 Mar 24
  1. The Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience showcases the modern use of AI-generated content in marketing and event organization.
  2. AI can significantly lower the barrier of entry for individuals to create and promote businesses and events, potentially leading to unexpected outcomes like the Willy Wonka Experience.
  3. The story highlights the importance of having checks and balances in place when relying heavily on AI to prevent misguided or poorly executed ventures.
The GameDiscoverCo newsletter 393 implied HN points 13 Sep 23
  1. Unity announced changes to its game engine license pricing model based on 'number of installs of your game'.
  2. Unity's engine business for PC/consoles is less important financially compared to its mobile ads/mediation division.
  3. The new pricing model by Unity has caused dissatisfaction among developers, especially PC and console developers.
ceonyc 471 implied HN points 27 Jun 23
  1. Moving away from centralized platforms like Medium and Substack can offer more control over audience engagement and branding.
  2. Maintaining a direct relationship with your audience on your own site that you control can be beneficial in the long run.
  3. Audience growth and engagement may require more effort when transitioning between platforms, but the control and personal touch can be worth it.
The Chancery Daily 491 implied HN points 15 May 23
  1. Leaving Twitter can be challenging due to personal, practical, and ideological reasons.
  2. Building a following on Twitter brought professional and personal growth, but also complexities and challenges to manage.
  3. Considering other platforms like Bluesky or the Fediverse, but recognizing the need to step back from short-form social media for mental health and productivity.
Platform Papers 39 implied HN points 14 Feb 24
  1. Digital platforms have to decide between focusing on blockbusters or long-tail content strategics based on their benefits. Blockbusters can drive significant traffic and users but may also intensify competition by monopolizing user attention.
  2. On crowdfunding platforms, blockbusters can have positive spillover effects by attracting attention and increasing funding for other projects. Related blockbusters have a stronger effect on a project than unrelated ones.
  3. For platforms or businesses, promoting blockbusters strategically can lead to increased user participation, spillover benefits, and competitive advantages. Leveraging blockbusters can drive growth and attract new users to a platform.
Daily Digest 39 implied HN points 08 Feb 24
  1. Prometheum is the first SEC-registered crypto platform offering Ether - a big step for integrating crypto with traditional finance.
  2. ERC-404 token emerged with unique hybrid properties, hitting a $170M market cap - showing a new trend in token creation.
  3. Ethereum's Dencun upgrade is in final testing, potentially enhancing efficiency and lowering transaction costs - a significant advancement for the platform.
The GameDiscoverCo newsletter 314 implied HN points 26 Jun 23
  1. Steam's June Next Fest featured around 1,000 PC game demos with various top performers in different categories.
  2. Important points were highlighted in the ongoing FTC vs. Microsoft case, including PlayStation's role in Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda and Activision's revenue split tactics.
  3. Recent game platform and discovery news include Meta's VR subscription service, Nike's collaboration with Fortnite, and insights on Chinese game approvals.
quite useless 353 implied HN points 08 Apr 23
  1. Substack announced a new feature called Notes, prompting a negative response from Twitter.
  2. Twitter disabled embedding, likes, and retweets of Substack links, leading to backlash from Substack writers.
  3. The conflict between Substack and Twitter highlights the importance of understanding the nature of platforms and not alienating loyal users.
Platform Papers 39 implied HN points 30 Jan 24
  1. In platform ecosystems, generativity plays a crucial role in driving innovation by allowing third-party developers to continuously create new offerings that enhance the core product's value over time.
  2. Balancing generativity is essential for platform success; too much generativity can lead to free-riding behavior where developers exploit the efforts of others, while the right amount can signal growth opportunities and encourage high-quality contributions.
  3. As platform ecosystems mature, business leaders and policymakers must navigate the challenges of maintaining a balance between positive reputation spillover effects and negative free-rider effects to ensure sustained innovation and user satisfaction.
The GameDiscoverCo newsletter 294 implied HN points 14 Jun 23
  1. Pitch decks for video games should focus on the 'ask', studio experience, traction, and comps.
  2. Successful platforms like Steam prioritize developer-centric attitude, predictability, and consumer stickiness.
  3. Latest game discovery news includes Sony's PS5 cloud streaming, return of Indie MEGABOOTH, and various game-specific updates.
Technology Made Simple 159 implied HN points 22 Jul 23
  1. Platform economics often prioritize scale over short-term profitability, relying on network effects to eventually generate revenue.
  2. Successful platforms like Facebook and YouTube maintained a competitive edge through extensive user profiles and built-in loyalty, unlike Uber.
  3. Uber's failure was attributed to factors like the ease of replicating its service, lack of customer loyalty, and the unrealistic expectations for profitability in the on-demand service industry.