Substack is rolling out audio livestreaming
Now you don't have to be on camera to go live.
For a platform that started off primarily as a home for writers and readers, Substack has been steadily broadening its horizons to welcome different kinds of creators.
In the past year alone, it’s extended its podcast feature to Spotify, making it easier for audio creators to reach wider audiences, and even dipped into short-form video—a nod to the growing appetite for bite-sized content.
Louis Eriakha
Now, Substack is taking things a step further with a new feature aimed at livestreamers who aren’t keen on being on camera. The platform is rolling out an audio-only livestream option, giving publishers a way to connect with their followers in real-time without the added pressure of going live on video.
Whether it's for privacy reasons or just a preference for a more casual format, creators can now host live audio sessions by simply toggling off their camera. Listeners can still comment and subscribe during these streams, keeping engagement levels high.
This update feels like a natural evolution. Back in January, Substack opened up video livestreaming to all publishers, removing its earlier cap that limited the feature to those with 100+ paying subscribers. By making live content more accessible and now, more flexible, Substack is clearly pushing to become a one-stop shop for all types of creator-audience interaction.
Audio-only livestreaming isn’t exactly new. Clubhouse, the app that made live audio chats popular during the pandemic, led the way, followed by X (formerly Twitter) Spaces. LinkedIn also tried live audio events but shut them down late last year, saying people weren’t using them enough and preferred content they could listen to anytime.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
It remains to be seen if Substack’s version will have better luck. Unlike those big social platforms, Substack is built around smaller, more engaged communities of readers and writers, people who are already there for thoughtful conversations. That could make audio livestreams a more natural fit here.
As of the latest figures, Substack boasts over 5 million paid subscriptions, up from 3 million about a year ago, reflecting steady growth as it expands its tools for creators. With audio content booming—podcasts alone now draw nearly 600 million listeners worldwide—this new feature could give Substack an edge in keeping its community engaged while helping creators feel more comfortable going live.
It’s another small but meaningful step in Substack’s mission to empower creators in whatever format works best for them.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
