Substack has launched a new moderation feature called Reply Rules, giving creators more control over how readers interact with their communities.
The feature allows creators to set specific requirements for replies on posts, Notes and Chat conversations.
How Reply Rules work
Creators can establish guidelines based on their preferences.
Examples include:
- Blocking profanity
- Filtering AI-generated spam
- Requiring replies in a particular format, such as haikus
Substack said the system learns from a creator’s moderation decisions. When creators hide comments, the feature adapts and automatically filters future replies that do not align with those preferences.
Hidden comments remain visible to creators, who can restore them later if they choose.
Reply Rules are currently available for all English-language publications.
Existing moderation tools remain
Substack has traditionally relied on a decentralized approach to moderation, leaving community management largely in the hands of individual writers.
Creators already have access to tools that allow them to:
- Lock posts and threads
- Delete comments
- Ban users
- Suspend accounts
The new feature is intended to reduce the amount of manual moderation required.
Ongoing criticism over moderation
Substack has faced criticism over its content moderation policies, particularly concerning newsletters associated with far-right views.
Critics have argued that the platform’s lighter moderation approach allows harmful content to spread.
In announcing Reply Rules, Substack reiterated its goal of supporting a wide range of online communities despite the challenges involved.
“Since its founding, Substack has sought to create the best possible conditions for cultures of many varieties to flourish online,” the company said.
It added that balancing those goals often involves difficult trade-offs.
Recent additions to the platform
Substack has introduced several new features this year.
These include:
- A built-in recording studio for creators
- Tools for publishing pre-recorded videos
- A TV app for viewing video posts and livestreams on larger screens
TL;DR
Substack has launched Reply Rules, a new feature that lets creators set customized guidelines for comments and responses. The system learns from moderation actions and automatically filters replies that do not match a creator’s preferences.
AI summary
- Substack has introduced a new moderation tool called Reply Rules.
- Creators can set customized requirements for comments and replies.
- The feature learns from moderation actions and filters future responses.
- Reply Rules are available for English-language publications.
- Substack says the feature will reduce manual moderation work.
