The algorithm trade-off most Substackers ignore

Smarter Substack | Jun 24, 2026

Happy Wednesday 👋

Today’s links cover the structural moves that actually grow a Substack, the unglamorous reality of getting your first 100 subscribers, and a counterintuitive lens on the Substack algorithm.

Here’s what’s worth your time today:

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📈 Growth

How to Grow a Substack Publication in 2026 — Most growth advice on Substack is tactical noise that doesn’t compound. This breakdown maps the structural decisions that actually move the needle once Notes and posts stop working in isolation.

👉 Read it here

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🎯 Case Study

How Do You Get Your First Subscribers? — The first 100 don’t come from algorithms or virality. Here’s what actually worked when one creator had zero audience, zero leverage, and no shortcuts.

👉 Read it here

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🧠 Strategy

Explore vs. Exploit: How the Substack Algorithm Really Works — Substack’s algorithm runs on the same explore/exploit trade-off that powers Spotify and TikTok. Understanding which mode you’re in changes how you should post, restack, and pitch.

👉 Read it here