Substack vs. Medium: A No-Bullsh*t Guide to Which One Is Right for You (2024)

Alright folks, strap in. It was clear from the comment section in yesterday’s article that you wanted to get to know more about Substack. I get it because I’m in the same boat.

Time for some research, ladies and gentlemen.

What you will find in this article is a breakdown of the two juggernauts in the content creation universe: Substack and Medium.

It’s about Substack with its gloves off, and Medium stripped down to the studs, showing you exactly what’s under the hood. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to the meat of the matter:

Which platform will give your voice the bullhorn it needs to echo across the digital landscape?

Buckle up, we’re about to kick off the ultimate showdown for reaching and growing your audience.

Do you want to grow your audience? Great. But who are they? What do they want from you? If you don’t know who you’re talking to, then you might as well be yelling into a void.

Substack: Your Niche’s New Best Friend

Substack is like that indie coffee shop where the baristas know everyone’s name and remember that you have a thing for oat milk in your latte. It’s the platform where niche thrives.

This is where your specialized content finds the eyes of those who give a damn about the particular brew of wisdom you’re serving.

The model is simple: your followers subscribe, some even pay, and voila, you have a community that’s vested in your words.

Medium: The Content Colosseum

Then there’s Medium. Imagine a vast Colosseum where the crowds are a mix of everyone from philosophers to tech enthusiasts, and your voice needs to ring out to entice a diverse crowd.

Medium is your megaphone, but you’re not the only one with one. You’re amidst a sea of voices, all vying for the spotlight. Your content could be on AI innovations today and existential musings on happiness tomorrow.

It’s a smorgasbord, and everyone’s invited to the feast.

The truth is, love doesn’t pay the bills. If your content is king, then I guess cash is the kingdom. So, how do Substack and Medium stack up when it comes to lining your pockets?

Substack: Payday Paradise

Substack says, “Let’s cut to the chase: you create, they pay.” It’s the promised land for those ready to transform their following into a revenue stream.

Paid subscriptions? Check.

Exclusive content for those who cough up the cash? Double-check.

It’s the dream of every creator turned entrepreneur, turning words into wealth with the power of a subscriber list.

Medium: The Meritocracy of Content

Meanwhile, Medium plays a different game.

• Keep your readers riveted for more than a half-minute, and you start raking in cash. The deeper you dive into their souls with your words, the better your payday.
• Get them clapping and chatting up a storm on your piece, and boom, that’s more coin in your pocket.
• Build a tribe of followers who can’t get enough of your truth bombs, and we’re talking bonus bucks.
• And if you really kill it? Your story gets Boosted, and you’re earning more per word than a swear jar in a dive bar.

Cut the crap, write gold, engage your crowd, and watch the money and followers pile up. Simple, right?

(Know that I’m laughing now)

This is about more than just platforms. It’s about power. Who holds the reins to your content? Because, let’s face it, no one wants to be a digital sharecropper on their own damn farm.

Substack: You’re the Boss

Substack says, “It’s your house, your rules.” Want to move your list and content elsewhere? Go ahead. It’s all yours, baby. This is the equivalent of owning your master tapes in the music world. No strings attached.

Medium: A Bit of Give and Take

Medium, on the other hand, is a bit more… communal. It’s like renting a room in a house with really cool roommates. Sure, the place gets a lot of visitors which is great for you, but you can’t just knock down a wall when you feel like it. Your content lives on their turf, and they’ll help it reach more eyes, but you play by their house rules.

Let’s not kid ourselves, if Google can’t see you, do you even exist? SEO might as well stand for “Seriously, Everyone, Overlooked?” if you’re not playing your cards right.

So how do these platforms help your content not just exist, but be found?

Substack: No Hand-Holding, Just Hard Work

Yep, you’re on your own, buddy. You’ve got to hustle your ass off to get people to give a damn about what you’re writing.

Sure, your posts are dancing on Google’s stage, ready to be spotted because Substack slaps on some basic makeup like structured data markup.

But let’s face it: it’s like showing up to a rave in your grandma’s sweater.

You don’t get to tweak your SEO title or meta description, which basically means you’re shouting into the void and hoping someone hears you.

You might try to play a little trickery with your post’s title and subtitle — using them as stand-ins for the real SEO heavy-hitters — but it’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Not totally useless, but you’d much rather have the firepower.

And, sure, Substack’s got this cutesy little thing where they play matchmaker and recommend your newsletter to other people’s newsletters. It’s like having a wingman who’s only moderately good at their job. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

But here’s the cold, hard truth:

Unless you’ve already got a posse of followers who hang on your every word, you better be ready to hustle on social media like you’re running for class president.

Medium: It’s Complicated As Well

Okay, Medium will help get your articles out there, but it’s more of a “trust us” kind of deal. Honestly, at first glance, it looks quite awesome.

Medium’s got this kickass recommendation engine that’s pretty much like having a billboard in Times Square. Your work could get splashed in front of the eyeballs of thousands of eager readers if Medium’s Gods deem you worthy.

And get this — Medium’s got something called ‘Staff Picks.’ It’s like the cool clique in high school deciding you’re in. If Medium’s staff digs what you’re writing, they’ll plunk you right on the homepage for all the world to see. Talk about a popularity boost.

But here’s the kicker: if you’re trying to throw an SEO rave, Medium’s guest policy is kinda exclusive. They won’t let all content out on the Google dance floor. Sure, if you make it past the bouncers, you’ll rank like a rockstar, but you can’t always control that list, so it’s a bit of a gamble.

If you’re really into making your own scene, Medium lets you claim your own corner with a subdomain. You’ll lose some street cred on the SEO front, but hey, it’s your name up in lights.

You can check it in your settings:

And yes, Medium’s not too shabby when it comes to dressing up your content with an SEO title and meta description, but don’t expect a full wardrobe. The SEO toolbox isn’t exactly overflowing here.

The screenshot above was the only SEO thing I could find. If there’s anything else, do not hesitate to share it in the comment section.

I came here by clicking on the three dots and then ‘More settings’:

Then just scroll down and you’ll see the SEO part.

Now, let’s talk about getting cozy with your readers. Because unless you’re planning on being a hermit, engagement is key to growth. Learned that from a fellow writer and digital friend,

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Substack: The Direct Line

Substack is all about that direct connection. It’s a batphone to your subscribers. Comments, newsletters, responses — you’re building a close-knit club where everyone knows your name. It’s personal, and it’s powerful.

Medium: The Social Butterfly

Medium plays the social game. It’s high-fives and “attaboys” in the form of claps and shares. While you might not have a direct line to your readers, there’s something to be said for the social proof and exposure that come from Medium’s integrated network.
People are able to subscribe though, so they get an email whenever you publish.