Notes is a feature where creators can publish short-form posts and share ideas with each other and their readers. Through Notes, creators can share posts, links, images, quotes, and comments with their subscribers and the greater Substack network.
In this guide, we'll show you:
How Notes works
As a creator or reader, let's get you orientated with Notes on the web or the Substack app.
On the Home tab, you'll see short-form content from Substacks you subscribe to and the extended Substack network.
In Home, you'll see notes and activity from:
- People you're subscribed to or follow on Substack
- Other notes from publications recommended by Substacks you subscribe to
- Restacks of Substack content, replies on notes, and comments on posts from people you're subscribed to and follow on Substack
Restacking means sharing content with your audience in the Notes space.
How do I post a Note?
Subscribers won't be emailed when you post a new note as they do with newsletters. but they may be notified about notes that they've missed in a notes roundup digest or a push notification.
On the Substack app
To post a note on the Substack app, tap the plus sign and start writing. You can add an image or video or share another creator's post or note. Once you're ready to publish a note, select "Post".
If you're not ready to publish a note, tap "Cancel". You'll have the options to either save to drafts or discard the unpublished note completely.
To schedule a note on the Substack app, open the notes composer and tap the three dots at the top of the screen and click "Schedule".
Choose a date and time and tap "Save". Select "Schedule" once you've finished compositing the note. Your scheduled note will be saved to your Drafts on the app– you can access this section anytime by opening the Notes composer (plus sign) and tapping on "Drafts".
On the web
To post a note on web, click on "Create" then select "Note" from the drop-down menu.
In the notes composer on web, you can add multiple images, a video, prediction odds, and even select who can reply to your notes. If you have payments enabled and want to paywall replies on your note, select "Only paid subscribers".
If you create a note on the web and would like to return to the draft a later time, simply enter text or an image and click "Cancel". You can either save or discard the draft note.
To retrieve any draft notes on the web, open the notes composer and click the Drafts button in the top-right corner. Select the note draft that you want to continue editing. If you'd like to delete the draft note, click on the three dots next to the draft and select "Delete".
If you'd like to schedule a note to post at a future date and time, open the notes composer on web and click on the calendar icon.
Choose a date and time and tap "Save". Click "Schedule" once you've finished composing your note. Your scheduled note will be saved to your Drafts– you can access this section anytime by clicking on "Create> Note" and then selecting the Drafts button.
Tip: See more here on how to format text, add an image, or restack quotes.
Who can see Notes?
Notes are public and can appear on the web, Substack app, and on a Substack profile. To interact on Notes such as posting, liking, or commenting, one must have a Substack account and be signed in.
If you have a Substack publication, your subscribers can see your activity in one view: your notes, restacks, and engagement in their Home feed.
Tip: Learn more on how to edit or delete an individual note or delete your Notes history.
How to manage Notes
Muting or blocking a user
Need a break from seeing someone's notes and their activity? You can mute their notes and replies on your notes by clicking on the three dot menu and selecting "Mute".
If you prefer to block someone which will hide their notes as well as prevent them from viewing your notes and Substack profile, click on "Block" in the same menu.
People that you've muted or blocked can be viewed on your Substack account Settings page in the Content Preferences section.
What notifications will I receive?
If you're active in Notes, you may receive email and push notifications for likes on your notes, replies on your notes, and when other people restack your notes or Substack posts.
To limit what notifications you receive, head to your Substack account Settings page on the web. In the Engagement section, uncheck the "Email" and "Push" boxes next to each feature that you don't want to be notified about.
To limit what push notifications you receive, head to your Notifications settings on the Substack app and tap Preferences. Tap Engagement and uncheck the "Push" box next to each feature that you don't want to be notified about.
Tip: Learn more on what Notes notifications you may receive and how to disable them.
How do I see the impact of a note?
Available on the web and the Substack app, you can measure the impact of your notes by clicking on "View stats" on a note.
Things you can see that's been generated from a particular note includes:
- Revenue generated
- New paid and free subscribers
- New followers
- Total clicks and total shares.
Note stats are available within 24 hours after a note is posted and usually refresh every hour.