Everyone Is Moving to Substack. Should You?
The blogging comeback, the social media shift, and what it means for creators in 2025.
In this video, I break down the pros & cons of Substack, whether it’s right for you, and a full step-by-step walkthrough of setting up your account.
For years, the advice was simple: Start a blog. Own your platform. Build long-term SEO.
But in 2025, that advice is starting to feel outdated.
Instead of setting up a personal website, fighting Google’s ever-changing algorithms, and waiting months (or years) for traffic, today’s smartest creators are choosing Substack—a platform that blends blogging, email marketing, and community-building into one.
First, we had blogs. Then, social media took over. Now? We’re witnessing a shift back to long-form content—but this time, it’s different.
With algorithm changes, platform instability, and AI-generated search results reshaping how people find content, creators are seeking new ways to reach their audience—without relying entirely on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube. Enter Substack.
In The 22 Laws of Digital Writing, Dickie Bush explains why starting a blog first is often a mistake:
“All new online writers make the same mistake. They start a blog.”
New writers often focus on what they want (ownership, customization, control) instead of what readers need(accessibility, discoverability, ease of engagement). They spend hours designing a website, tweaking fonts, and launching a blog—only to realize nobody knows it exists.
The problem?
🔽 Blogs rely on external links to get traffic (which social media platforms actively suppress).
🔽 They require long-term SEO investment before gaining visibility.
🔽 They force writers to compete against Google’s algorithm, rather than working with it.
This is why Social Blogging (writing where readers already are) is the better approach.
🚀 A YouTube channel is a Social Blog.
🚀 A Substack newsletter is a Social Blog.
🚀 A LinkedIn or Twitter thread is a Social Blog.
Instead of trying to drive people away from where they already consume content, Social Blogging meets them where they are—making it easier to get discovered.
Why Substack Is Winning Over Traditional Blogs
Creators are realizing that blogging on their own websites is:
📉 Too slow – SEO takes months to pay off, and most people aren’t searching for personal blogs anymore.
📉 Too isolated – Unlike social media, most blogs don’t have a built-in audience discovery feature.
📉 Too high-maintenance – Setting up a website, email marketing, and SEO optimization can be a full-time job.
Meanwhile, Substack lets you:
🚀 Write & publish instantly – No website setup, no SEO waiting game.
📩 Reach your audience directly – Every post goes straight to your subscribers’ inbox.
🔗 Leverage a built-in discovery system – Readers can find your work through recommendations & subscriptions.
Instead of writing in silence, hoping someone stumbles across your blog, Substack puts your content where people are already reading.
SEO, Discoverability, and the New Reality of Digital Content
For years, the standard advice for creators was to own your audience. We were told to build a website, grow an email list, and avoid over-reliance on social media. But in today’s digital landscape, where personal websites often struggle with visibility and engagement, Substack presents a unique hybrid:
🔹 It’s a blog with built-in distribution.
🔹 It’s an email newsletter that ensures direct reach.
🔹 It’s a social platform where readers can easily discover new content.
Unlike traditional blogs, which rely on external search traffic, Substack’s internal discovery feature allows users to find and follow writers directly on the platform. While it may not replace website SEO entirely, Substack functions as a highly engaged content hub, driving organic growth through its recommendation engine and email delivery.
Instead of spending hours optimizing for Google’s algorithm (which is constantly shifting), creators can focus on writing engaging, valuable content—knowing it will be delivered straight to their audience’s inbox.
Should You Move to Substack?
If you’re debating between launching a blog and starting a Substack, ask yourself:
Do I want to spend months optimizing for SEO—or start publishing today?
Do I care more about Google rankings—or direct engagement with my audience?
Do I have time to maintain a blog—or do I just want to focus on writing?
For most creators in 2025, the answer is clear: Substack is the fastest way to build an audience through digital writing.
That said, Substack isn’t a perfect replacement for a website. You still need a central hub for your offers, sales pages, and other long-term content. But if you’re looking for a platform that makes it easier to publish, connect, and grow, Substack is one of the best options available today.
Final Thoughts: Why I’m Using Substack—But Not Abandoning My Website
Bush makes an important distinction: Owning a website still has its place—but it shouldn’t be your first step.
Instead, he recommends treating a website like a curated library where your best work lives. But your real focus should be publishing on platforms with built-in audiences.
By leveraging audience-first platforms like Substack, creators can write, publish, and grow—without waiting for SEO to work in their favor.