In this video, I show you how to hide your Substack subscriber count.
You may want to do this when you’re just starting, and your subscribers are still finding you.
When you first hit that “Create Publication” button on Substack, you’re naturally excited.
You have your niche, your first few post ideas are simmering, and you’re ready to share your voice with the world.
But then, you look at your Substack and see it: 0 subscribers. Or maybe it’s 5.
For many writers, that tiny number feels like a neon sign flashing “I’m new here!” It can lead to a common phenomenon called the “empty room” effect.
If a reader lands on your page and sees a very low subscriber count, they might subconsciously think, “If no one else is reading this, is it worth my time?”
Social proof is a powerful tool in digital marketing, but when you’re just starting, it can actually work against you.
In this post, I break down exactly how to take the pressure off yourself (and your readers) by hiding that subscriber count, if that’s what you want to do, of course.
Let’s discuss why you might want to do this and the simple technical steps to make it happen.
The Strategy Behind Hiding Your Subscriber Count
Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.”
Substack mentions that displaying a rough subscriber count can actually help with conversion. Seeing that thousands of people read a newsletter gives a sense of authority and even FOMO (fear of missing out).
However, as the video points out, at the start you might have so few subscribers that the count becomes a distraction.
Hiding the count allows the reader to focus entirely on your content.
Instead of judging your publication based on a metric you haven’t had a chance to develop yet, they judge it by your writing.
Remember not to think of yourself as a beginner; you’re a writer on a mission, but early in the game.
Once you hit a milestone number, maybe it’s 100, 500, or 1,000, you can always toggle it back on to use your new social proof to your advantage.
Step-by-Step: How to Hide Your Count
The process is surprisingly simple, but Substack’s interface can sometimes be confusing because of the distinction between your reader profile and your writer dashboard.
Here’s the breakdown based on my video tutorial:
1. Navigate to Your Dashboard
First, log in to your Substack account. You must be on your Writer Dashboard, not your personal profile. Essentially, your personal profile is where you manage the newsletters you read; your Dashboard is where you manage the newsletters you write.
2. Open Your Settings
Look at the left-hand sidebar. Scroll down to the very bottom, and you will find the Settings gear icon. Clicking this will open the broad menu for your publication’s configuration.
3. Find the Privacy Section
Substack has a lot of settings, so instead of scrolling through them all, you can use the navigation links on the left side of the settings page. Look for the Privacy link. This section controls how your publication interacts with the public and the Substack network.
4. Toggle Off the Subscriber Count
Inside the Privacy menu, you will see an option labeled: “Show approximate subscriber count.” As the video demonstrates, this is usually toggled on by default. It displays a rough count on your profile and welcome page. Simply click the toggle to turn it off.
The changes save automatically, and just like that, your subscriber count is hidden from public view.
What to Focus on Instead
Now that you’ve removed the stat pressure, what should you do with that extra breathing space? Here are three things to focus on while your count is hidden:
1. Your About Page. If people can’t see how many people are subscribed, they’ll look even more closely at why they should subscribe. Make your About page a compelling read. What problem are you solving? What story are you telling? Make it so good that the subscriber count becomes irrelevant.
2. Consistency Over Growth. In the early days, your goal shouldn’t be 1,000 subscribers; it should be posting consistently and interacting with Substack Notes. Use this time to find your voice, experiment with different formats, and establish a rhythm that you can sustain for the long haul - your content calander
3. Direct Engagement. When you have a small list, you have a unique advantage: you can actually talk to every single subscriber. Reply to comments, send a thank you note to new sign-ups, and ask your readers what they want to see more of. This builds a true fan base that is much more valuable than a high vanity metric.
When Should You Show Your Numbers Again?
Hiding your count isn’t a permanent move. Eventually, you’ll reach a point where your numbers help your growth rather than hinder it.
A good rule of thumb is to wait until you hit a landmark number that feels substantial enough for your specific niche. For some, it’s 100 subscribers. For others, it’s when they reach 500 subscribers - it’s up to you. Do it when you feel comfortable.
The beauty of the Substack platform is its flexibility. You get to decide when the world sees your stats.
And finally…
Starting a Substack is a leap of faith - so well done on taking the first steps.
You’re putting your thoughts into the world and hoping they land. Please don’t let a small number at the bottom of your page discourage you or your potential readers.
By following the simple steps in this tutorial, you can take the time to focus on what really matters: your writing.
