Newsletter platform Substack is experiencing a wave of departures as prominent writers migrate to competing services, citing desires for greater control and customization options.

The Ankler, one of Substack's most widely-read publications focused on entertainment industry analysis, left the platform last month for an alternative service that provides enhanced site control capabilities. The departure represents a notable loss for Substack, which has positioned itself as a leading destination for independent newsletter creators.

Multiple writers who have left Substack over the past year have cited similar motivations, particularly seeking platforms that offer more flexibility in managing their publications and reader relationships. The trend suggests growing competition in the newsletter platform space as writers evaluate different options for monetizing and distributing their content.

Substack gained significant attention in recent years as a platform enabling writers to build direct-pay subscriber relationships, attracting notable journalists and commentators from traditional media outlets. The platform takes a percentage of subscription revenue in exchange for hosting and payment processing services.

The departures come as the newsletter industry continues to evolve, with various platforms competing to attract content creators through different feature sets, revenue-sharing models, and customization options. Writers increasingly view platform choice as a strategic business decision affecting their long-term growth and reader engagement capabilities.