The hottest Blogging Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

I know your secret

Experimental History • 4997 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
📚 Literature Blogging
  1. Many creators have a "secret" — a specific topic, perspective, or method they've found that reliably produces value and interest.
  2. Those secrets aren't scandalous; they're practical insights or angles you can lean into repeatedly instead of shocking or contrived hooks.
  3. There are concrete notes (eleven in this case) that show how to turn unknowns into knowns by discovering and communicating those useful insights.

Why I have been writing a niche history blog for 15 years

Res Obscura • 5909 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
💾 History Blogging
  1. The author has been writing a niche history blog for 15 years because they enjoy sharing unique and interesting historical topics that aren’t widely discussed elsewhere.
  2. The shift from traditional blogging to platforms like Substack has revived their passion for writing and connecting with a community of like-minded readers.
  3. The blogging landscape has changed dramatically over the years, moving away from low-stakes, conversational content to a more click-bait and social media-driven environment.

In 2025, blogs will be the last bastion of the Good Internet

The Intrinsic Perspective • 34996 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Blogging
  1. Blogs are becoming one of the last good places on the internet. People are tired of social media and want more meaningful content.
  2. Writing blogs today is about sharing a lot of ideas often, rather than creating one perfect piece. It's about being expressive and engaging regularly.
  3. In 2025, bloggers should aim to create rich, detailed content that takes time to explore, much like appreciating a large, complex artwork.

The Second Annual Blog Post Competition, Extravaganza, and Jamboree

Experimental History • 7495 implied HN points • 27 May 25
🎭️ Culture Blogging
  1. The internet is a big experiment we're all part of, and everyone can contribute to how it turns out. Your actions online can shape this space, so don't just sit back and watch!
  2. Blogging is like a block party where everyone is welcome. More voices can make the experience richer, so don't be afraid to jump in and share your thoughts.
  3. There's a chance for everyone to be heard on the internet. Even if you think no one will listen, your unique perspective might be just what someone else is looking for.

Open Thread 393

Astral Codex Ten • 3097 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Blogging
  1. The Horizon Fellowship is a great opportunity for those interested in AI and biotech. You can apply for a full-time policy position in Washington, and no prior experience is needed.
  2. Inkhaven is a blogging bootcamp for those who want to write more. If you're selected, you'll write a blog post every day for a month, but be ready for some tough love if you miss a day!
  3. There's a cost to attend Inkhaven, but some financial help is available. It's a cool experiment to see if living in a community can boost your motivation to write.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Matt Yglesias and the secret of blogging

Read Max • 2081 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Blogging
  1. Regular posting is key for success in blogging. If you keep posting often, you'll likely attract more readers over time.
  2. There's not much risk in posting frequently, even if some people get upset. Most people quickly move on from any negative reactions.
  3. Instead of focusing on making every post perfect, just keep writing. The more you write, the better you become and the more chances you have to grow your audience.

I'm doing Inkhaven

Aliveness Studies • 9 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
📚 Literature Blogging
  1. A month-long Berkeley writing residency forces daily output (residents must publish 500+ words a day), giving strong structure and accountability for people who want to write more.
  2. The program’s main benefits are community, feedback, and networking — being around other writers and experienced bloggers can help workshop pieces, boost productivity, and even support mental health through co-regulation.
  3. Even without clear long-term goals, committing to a focused month can clarify thinking, be a fun way to explore the area, and many participants report very positive experiences.

Filthy Lucre

imetatronink • 1474 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
💰 Finance Blogging
  1. The blog does not require paid subscriptions to read the content.
  2. The author will use any revenue to fund road trips with his grandsons.
  3. Previous supporters are appreciated for their contributions.

The Popehat Report Is Moving To Beehiiv

The Popehat Report • 4611 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Blogging
  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.

Aspiring dystopias, library souls and Gen Alpha's "first mainstream meme"

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 638 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Blogging
  1. Google's recipe ratings may not accurately reflect the quality of the recipes; ratings are supplied by the sites themselves and can be manipulated for increased site traffic.
  2. Cooking blogs often receive higher ratings than legacy media in Google search results; moderation practices in comment sections may contribute to these discrepancies.
  3. AI-generated recipe descriptions in search results may change the focus from ratings to more user-friendly information, cautioning bakers against relying solely on Google's star system.

1000

Remote View • 471 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Blogging
  1. The blog reached 1000 subscribers since its launch on November 14th, 2020.
  2. Over the first 8 years, the Martin Fleischmann Memorial Projects Youtube had a 56% increase in subscribers; in the last 3 months, 24% of all subscribers joined.
  3. The blog's output helped the MFMP YouTube cover costs through advertising, showing promising developments moving forward.

Join me on Notes

CB • 818 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Blogging
  1. Notes on Substack is a new platform for sharing links, short posts, quotes, photos, and more.
  2. Readers can automatically see notes by accessing substack.com/notes or finding the 'Notes' tab in the Substack app.
  3. The goal is to create a space where readers can share thoughts, ideas, and quotes from the content they engage with on Substack and beyond.

How I write...

Development Hell • 612 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Blogging
  1. The author received feedback from readers about their content and what topics they want to see covered.
  2. There are many resources available on Substack for growing subscriber numbers and improving content quality.
  3. Readers can access the full content and post archives with a 7-day free trial and subscription.

2024 Noahpinion subscriber survey!

Noahpinion • 2117 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
💼 Business Blogging
  1. Noahpinion has a large and engaged audience of 12,000 paid subscribers who are smart and fun.
  2. Noah Smith conducts subscriber surveys about once a year to gather feedback on how he's doing and what people would like.
  3. Readers can get a 7-day free trial to access full post archives on Noahpinion's website.

Microsoft Security Copilot Gets Its Own Blog

Rod’s Blog • 337 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Blogging
  1. A new blog has been launched in Microsoft Tech Community for Microsoft Security Copilot, focusing on insights from experts and tips for security analysts and IT professionals.
  2. The blog covers topics such as education on Security Copilot, building custom workflows, product deep dives into AI architecture, best practices, updates on the roadmap, and responsible AI principles.
  3. Readers are encouraged to engage by sharing feedback and questions with the blog creators.

Birthday Lasagna and Key Lime Pie

The Amateur Gourmet Newsletter • 255 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Blogging
  1. The author migrated their blog from Wordpress to Squarespace for simplicity and control.
  2. They made a six-hour lasagna for Craig's birthday which started with making meatballs.
  3. The dinner at The Gramercy Tavern included a legendary Key Lime Pie dessert and an experience with wine pairing that left them feeling unwell the next day.

This is Going To Be... Not on Substack

ceonyc • 471 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Blogging
  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.

Open Thread 1

Nooceleration • 216 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Blogging
  1. The blog Nooceleration will be the primary venue for the author's work.
  2. The author plans to cover topics like Biosingularity, 2024 predictions, and network states.
  3. Personal goals for 2024 include developing a concept around The Biosingularity and traveling to Argentina.

Be an active listener at work ⚡

Arpit’s Newsletter • 216 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Blogging
  1. Good engineers actively listen to understand the intent and context in meetings and discussions.
  2. Asking the right questions clarifies ambiguities and prevents mistakes during development.
  3. Active listening indicates high ownership mindset and gives necessary visibility in the organization.

The Jon Swift List: Best Blog Posts of the Year

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 30 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Blogging
  1. Blogging helped build lasting political communities and careers in the early 2000s, but its cultural cachet has faded as podcasts and short-form platforms rose, even though small-blog energy survives on places like Substack.
  2. A satirical blogger known as Jon Swift inspired an annual "best blog posts" roundup that continues today, and the 2025 list has been released to honor that tradition.
  3. The publisher plans to focus on big-picture critique of nation-states, offer middle-distance commentary instead of daily outrage, and bring more hope, humor, and some fiction into the coming year.

Be My Mirror

Bet On It • 176 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Blogging
  1. The author has been blogging for 20 years and wants feedback from long-time readers. Readers can share their thoughts on the best and worst posts they’ve read.
  2. The author is interested in how their writing has changed over time, both in content and quality. They hope readers will point out any highlights or low points.
  3. They encourage honesty and openness in the comments, asking readers to be candid about their experiences and opinions on the writing.

A New Era for Linkposts

By Reason Alone • 67 implied HN points • 06 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Blogging
  1. Some people write blogs mainly for their own learning, without worrying if others read them. This helps them understand and keep track of what they learn.
  2. Link roundups can be a great way to share interesting finds with others, even if they start as personal notes. Many enjoy and engage with these kinds of posts.
  3. Collaborating with established platforms like EconLog can help broaden the audience for blog content. It's good to share work that is relevant to their readers.

#97: Không thỏa hiệp

Many One Percents • 353 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🚌 Education Blogging
  1. Make decisions for your health based on personal needs, like supplementing with vitamins and taking cold showers.
  2. Engage in deeper conversations using tools like '36 questions in love' to connect with others on a more meaningful level.
  3. Consider joining courses or workshops to enhance your skills and knowledge, like a 30-day blogging course to improve writing habits.

Hello World

Bram’s Thoughts • 334 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Blogging
  1. The user is trying out 'real' blogging for the first time.
  2. The blog posts will likely cover various engineering topics unrelated to Chia.
  3. Readers can find the user's puzzles at a specific link or play a game on a website.

Please let your readers read?

Disaffected Newsletter • 779 implied HN points • 13 Jan 23
🪑 Design Blogging
  1. Use high-contrast colors for your text and background to make reading easier. Low contrast can make it hard to read and push people away from your content.
  2. Many readers won't tell you your text is hard to read, and they might leave without saying anything. It's better to get feedback than to lose potential readers.
  3. Remember that your main goal is to share words that people want to read. Avoid trendy designs that harm readability, as they can hurt your audience and support.

AI Blogger Declares AI Will Take Every Job Except Blogging (About AI)

The Algorithmic Bridge • 435 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Blogging
  1. AI is expected to replace many jobs, but blogging about AI is seen as safe from automation. This is because it requires a unique human touch and deep understanding.
  2. AI writing often lacks personality and can produce shallow content. This makes human writers still valuable to bring freshness and relatability to their work.
  3. Some critics believe AI is fast and can churn out content that many readers enjoy, even if it's not deeply insightful. This shows there's diverse opinions on the role of AI in writing.

Hidden Open Thread 382.5

Astral Codex Ten • 206 implied HN points • 21 May 25
🎭️ Culture Blogging
  1. The post is for paid subscribers only, so not everyone can access its content.
  2. There is an option to subscribe for those interested in the material.
  3. The thread invites various discussions or comments, encouraging reader engagement.

From Google Blogger to Substack: Coming Soon!

Musings on Markets • 899 implied HN points • 25 Mar 22
💼 Business Blogging
  1. The author started blogging in 2008 and has written over 600 posts on finance topics since then. This blogging experience has helped him rethink his views and develop new ideas.
  2. He is moving his blog from Google Blogger to Substack because it allows him to easily transfer his old posts and offers a better format for readers.
  3. Both platforms will continue to host his posts, and he encourages readers to choose between them while assuring that the experience will remain similar.

The Work of AI Content

Oliver Bateman Does the Work • 137 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Blogging
  1. AI-generated content is becoming prevalent, creating challenges in transparency and trust between readers and media
  2. The abundance of content and digital subscriptions is overwhelming, leading to less actual engagement with the material
  3. The value of content lies in meaningful engagement, not just in mere consumption or subscription metrics

3 Tools That Help Me Make Money Blogging As A Busy Part-Time Creator

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 319 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
💼 Business Blogging
  1. Using a headline analyzer can help you create catchy titles. Catchy headlines make people want to click on your content.
  2. Podia is a useful platform for hosting online courses. It can help you earn money by sharing your skills with others.
  3. Gumroad allows you to offer free products while still making money. People can choose to pay what they think is fair, which can lead to unexpected earnings.