Substack introduces mobile video publishing with monetization features
Platform expands creator tools with direct video uploads from phones, supporting files up to 20GB and subscriber notifications.
Substack launched video publishing capabilities for its mobile app on February 20, 2025, allowing creators to upload and monetize video content directly from their phones for the first time. This marks a significant shift from the platform's previous setup, which only permitted video uploads through desktop computers.
According to Substack's official announcement, the new feature enables content creators to upload and monetize videos from their mobile devices, with support for files up to 20 gigabytes in size. The development addresses previous limitations where video posts could only be published through desktop interfaces.
The technical implementation allows creators to distribute videos through multiple channels simultaneously. According to the platform documentation, videos reach subscribers through both email notifications and app alerts, providing flexibility in content delivery methods.
Matt Klein, Product Communications Manager at Substack, detailed the publishing workflow in five specific steps: creating a new post via the plus icon, selecting the video option, choosing a file from the device gallery, adding descriptive elements, and configuring subscriber notifications and paywall settings.
The platform's strategic focus on subscriptions remains central to the video feature. Statistical data shared in the announcement indicates the potential reach, with Substack reporting "millions of weekly active users and 1 million posts discovered daily" through their mobile application.
Political analyst Aaron Parnas, who received early access to test the feature, reported practical benefits for news coverage. "The ability to publish directly from my phone has transformed how I share breaking news and analysis with my subscribers," Parnas stated in the announcement. His experience with the platform earned him Substack's TikTok Liberation Prize.
Technical specifications for the initial release include:
- Maximum file size: 20GB per video
- Distribution channels: Email and in-app notifications
- Monetization options: Paywalled content for paid subscribers
- Publishing controls: Title, description, and subscriber notification settings
The platform has outlined plans for additional video capabilities, including:
- Video trimming tools
- Editing features
- Free preview options
- Enhanced analytics
- Improved playback controls
User responses to the announcement revealed mixed perspectives from the creator community. Several writers complained about potential platform changes. Alexandra Lais commented, "Don't let it become a video-heavy, short-form content platform." Michelle Francois-Walsh emphasized the platform's distinct appeal: "Many of us have left other social media platforms because we want more peace and less noise."
Timeline of Key Events
- February 20, 2025: Feature announcement
- Previous development: Introduction of mobile text publishing
- Current state: Basic video publishing capabilities
- Future roadmap: Planned introduction of editing tools and analytics
The platform's documentation shows that video publishing access extends to all creators, without minimum subscriber requirements, according to confirmation from Matt Klein in response to user inquiries.
Technical limitations currently include the absence of certain features such as trimming capabilities, custom preview options, and advanced analytics, which are listed for future development phases.