Substack's Content Moderation Policy: A 'Hands-Off' Approach

The issue of content moderation proved particularly complex throughout 2020, prompting numerous investigations by Congress. Both Twitter and Facebook encountered significant scrutiny, receiving criticism for perceived inadequacies in removing objectionable material, as well as accusations of excessive censorship and infringing upon First Amendment rights through practices like shadow banning.

The latter concern seems to be the primary motivation behind the creation of Parler, a Twitter alternative geared towards right-leaning users.

As the newsletter platform Substack gains prominence, it will inevitably confront challenging questions regarding content moderation. The company recently released an extensive blog post aiming to proactively address these potential concerns. The post outlines certain limitations, but primarily emphasizes the platform’s dedication to free expression, stating:

This position is linked to Substack’s subscription-based revenue model, differing from the advertising-dependent systems of platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Substack instead retains a 10% share of writers’ subscription income. This structure offers a degree of insulation from advertising-related boycotts. Furthermore, the subscription model necessitates a more deliberate selection of content by users, contrasting with the more open content flow on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

“We welcome competition from platforms offering ‘Substack with stricter speech controls’ just as we welcome competition from ‘Substack with advertising,’ ” the company explains.

Financial factors are, of course, also at play. Substack has a clear interest in supporting voices from the right and conservative perspectives who have voiced disapproval of Facebook and Twitter’s policies. Notably, The Dispatch currently ranks highly on the service’s list of top political publications. In a prior interview with TechCrunch, editor Stephen Hayes described the service as “unapologetically center-right,” and its current description characterizes it as “conservative.”

“These viewpoints are not neutral,” Substack acknowledges. “Many Silicon Valley tech companies aim for political neutrality on their platforms, but we believe this is an unattainable goal.” This observation holds a degree of validity. Any stance regarding content moderation can be interpreted as having political implications to some extent, and it is unlikely any approach will achieve universal satisfaction.

However, the service is also likely to encounter substantial challenges to its current, relatively permissive approach as its user base expands. By actively promoting its brand to consumers, Substack is establishing itself as a visible publishing platform, rather than an anonymous one.

Substack clarifies that certain types of content remain prohibited. “Naturally, there are boundaries,” the company states. “We do not permit pornography or spam on Substack, nor do we allow doxxing or harassment.”