Substack, a global publishing platform with 50 million users worldwide, has been generating revenue from newsletters promoting virulent Nazi ideology, white supremacy, and antisemitism. The platform allows users to self-publish articles and charge for premium content, with Substack taking about 10% of the revenue earned by these newsletters.
According to a Guardian investigation, at least five million people pay for access to these newsletters on the platform, including ones that openly promote racist ideology. One such newsletter, called NatSocToday, has 2,800 subscribers and charges $80 per year - although most of its posts are available for free.
NatSocToday is run by a far-right activist based in the US and features a swastika as its profile picture. Its recent posts have included conspiracy theories about Jewish power and influence, suggesting that antisemitism is a myth. The algorithm used by Substack promoted this content to other users who subscribed to similar newsletters.
Other accounts with thousands of followers have shared and liked each other's posts, which often feature swastikas and Nazi imagery. These include Erika Drexler, who has 241 subscribers and describes Adolf Hitler as her hero, and Ava Wolfe, who has 3,000 subscribers and calls herself an "archivist" of articles about WW2 history.
The chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, Danny Stone, said that online content often inspires real-life attacks. He cited examples such as the racially motivated murder of 10 African Americans in Buffalo, New York, in 2022, and a synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2018.
"Algorithmic prompts and the amplification of harmful materials is extremely serious," Stone said. "The terrorist who attacked Heaton Park synagogue didn't wake up one morning and decide to kill Jews; he will have been radicalised."
Stone also expressed concern about online disinformation about the Holocaust, saying that a drop in attendance at memorial events has led to a decline in knowledge of this history.
A spokesperson for the Holocaust Educational Trust said that material spreading conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial is "not new but clearly its reach is increasing". They described it as a "disgrace" that Substack profits from such hateful content and allows it to be boosted via their algorithm.
According to a Guardian investigation, at least five million people pay for access to these newsletters on the platform, including ones that openly promote racist ideology. One such newsletter, called NatSocToday, has 2,800 subscribers and charges $80 per year - although most of its posts are available for free.
NatSocToday is run by a far-right activist based in the US and features a swastika as its profile picture. Its recent posts have included conspiracy theories about Jewish power and influence, suggesting that antisemitism is a myth. The algorithm used by Substack promoted this content to other users who subscribed to similar newsletters.
Other accounts with thousands of followers have shared and liked each other's posts, which often feature swastikas and Nazi imagery. These include Erika Drexler, who has 241 subscribers and describes Adolf Hitler as her hero, and Ava Wolfe, who has 3,000 subscribers and calls herself an "archivist" of articles about WW2 history.
The chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, Danny Stone, said that online content often inspires real-life attacks. He cited examples such as the racially motivated murder of 10 African Americans in Buffalo, New York, in 2022, and a synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2018.
"Algorithmic prompts and the amplification of harmful materials is extremely serious," Stone said. "The terrorist who attacked Heaton Park synagogue didn't wake up one morning and decide to kill Jews; he will have been radicalised."
Stone also expressed concern about online disinformation about the Holocaust, saying that a drop in attendance at memorial events has led to a decline in knowledge of this history.
A spokesperson for the Holocaust Educational Trust said that material spreading conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial is "not new but clearly its reach is increasing". They described it as a "disgrace" that Substack profits from such hateful content and allows it to be boosted via their algorithm.
I'm seriously worried about Substack's business model, tbh 
. They're profiting off of these super toxic newsletters promoting hate speech and conspiracy theories 
. It's like they're creating a platform for white supremacists and Nazis to spread their ideology 
. And what really gets me is that they're making money from it 
- like, 10% of the revenue earned by these hateful content creators 
. The fact that algorithmic prompts are amplifying this harmful material is super concerning 
. I mean, we've seen how online hate can lead to real-life violence 
(remember the Buffalo shooting? 
). It's a big deal that Substack isn't doing more to stop this 
.
And the fact that their algorithm is amplifying all this toxic content is just crazy. It's like a never-ending loop of hate and conspiracy theories. I remember back in my day, we had real problems with racism and antisemitism, but at least we knew how to fight them. These kids today are just so... gullible 
. And the worst part is, some of these subs have thousands of followers! Thousands! It's like, what's wrong with people? Can't they see that this is just a bunch of hate speech? I'm all for free speech, but not when it comes at the expense of innocent lives... 
nat soc today is so cringeworthy 
erika drexler and ava wolfe are literally the most problematic ppl 
its a total disgrace that substack is enabling this kinda content 
... Like, how can a platform that's supposed to promote good stuff instead gets hijacked by these toxic ideologies?! It's like, Substack is profiting off people's ignorance and hate 
... I mean, what even is the point of having a platform if you're gonna enable that kind of hate?! It's like, we need to take a stand against this kind of stuff before it gets out of hand 
... The fact that these people are spreading conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial is just unacceptable 
... This is just a huge wake-up call for all of us to stay informed and not take our freedom of speech for granted 
. I mean, they're just giving people a platform to self-publish, you know? And 10% of revenue isn't a lot considering how big this thing is 
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Jews, people with Jewish heritage, survivors... everyone deserves respect and education.
Let's get this conversation started! 