Customer Reviews (100)

justine bicus • 2025-03-24T16:53:39.313Z

give me ability to express my thoughts

Tina D'aigle • 2025-03-24T16:23:41.356Z

thank you Glenn!💙💙💙💙💙

Lucia Ribeiro • 2025-03-24T15:47:14.940Z

Eye and mind-opening read.

Summary of Key Insights

The Substack app enjoys a generally positive reception, with a strong emphasis on its value as a source of independent and informative content. Users appreciate its role as an alternative to mainstream social media and news platforms. However, some users report technical issues, particularly login problems, crashing, and limitations in app functionality compared to the web version. There are also concerns regarding email notifications and the ability to comment as a paid subscriber. The overall sentiment is positive, as reflected in the high percentage of 5-star reviews.

  • Overall Rating: High (driven by a strong majority of 5-star reviews)
  • Key Strengths: Access to independent journalism, a platform for diverse voices, informative content, user-friendly navigation (for most).
  • Key Weaknesses: Technical issues (crashing, login problems), notification management, limited features compared to the web version, comment access restrictions.
  • Sentiment: Predominantly positive.
  • Score Distribution: 5-star (81%), 4-star (7%), 3-star (2%), 2-star (2%), 1-star (8%)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews.
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but likely recent based on the version number.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Manual assessment based on review text.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identification of recurring themes and issues in reviews.
    • Frequency Analysis: Counting the number of times specific issues or features were mentioned.

Key User Pain Points

  • Technical Issues (Crashing/Login Problems): Several users reported the app crashing or experiencing login problems. This is a high-severity issue that directly impacts usability. (Mentioned in multiple 1- and 2-star reviews)
  • Email Notification Overload: Some users found the email notifications overwhelming and requested an option to follow creators without receiving excessive emails. (Mentioned in at least one 4-star review)
  • Limited Functionality Compared to Web Version: Users noted missing features like zoom functionality and section support (for publications with sections). (Mentioned in at least one 3-star and one 5-star review).
  • Commenting Restrictions: The inability for non-paid subscribers to comment was a point of frustration for at least one user. (Mentioned in at least one 1-star review)
  • App State Loss: The app forgetting the user's last viewed page after switching away was also a pain point. (Mentioned in at least one 1-star review)
  • Broken Links: Some articles contain links that lead to unrelated topics. (Mentioned in at least one 1-star review)

Frequently Requested Features

  • Notification Management: More granular control over email notifications.
  • Zoom Functionality: The ability to zoom in on text and images.
  • Section Support: Display of publication sections within the app.
  • Improved Stability: Fixes for crashing and login issues.
  • Recent App History: App to appear in Recent App history for easier switching.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Access to Independent Journalism: Users highly value the app as a source of independent and truthful information.
  • Diverse Perspectives: The platform is praised for offering a wide range of voices and perspectives.
  • Informative Content: Users find the content to be informative, educational, and thought-provoking.
  • User-Friendly Navigation: Many users find the app easy to navigate (though some disagree).
  • Alternative to Mainstream Social Media: The app is seen as a welcome alternative to platforms like Facebook, Twitter/X, and TikTok.
  • Passionate Writers: Substack writers are perceived as passionate and dedicated to their craft.
  • Subscriber Chats: The subscriber-only chat feature is appreciated.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:
    • Fix Crashing and Login Issues: Address the reported technical issues causing the app to crash or prevent users from logging in. This is crucial for basic usability.
    • Implement Granular Notification Controls: Provide users with more control over email notifications, allowing them to follow creators without being overwhelmed.
  • Medium Priority:
    • Add Zoom Functionality: Implement zoom functionality for text and images to improve readability.
    • Support Publication Sections: Ensure that publication sections are properly displayed within the app.
    • Fix Broken Links: Resolve the issue of links leading to unrelated content.
    • App State Persistence: Ensure the app returns to the last viewed page when reopened.
  • Low Priority:
    • Consider Commenting Options: Explore options for allowing non-paid subscribers to participate in discussions (potentially with limitations).

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Enhanced Notification Management Tools: Develop a more sophisticated notification filtering system that allows users to prioritize and categorize notifications based on sender, topic, or content type.
  • Substack Content Aggregator & Summarizer: Create an AI-powered tool that summarizes Substack articles and newsletters based on user interests, helping them discover relevant content more efficiently.
  • Substack Content Discovery Platform: A platform that focuses on content discovery within Substack, offering personalized recommendations and curated lists based on user preferences and reading history.

Trends and Observations

  • Emphasis on Independent Journalism: A recurring theme is the desire for independent and trustworthy news sources, indicating a potential market opportunity.
  • Desire for Control: Users want more control over their experience, including notifications and app behavior.
  • Comparison to Social Media: The app is frequently compared to social media platforms, suggesting users are looking for a similar level of engagement and community.

Conclusion

The Substack app is well-regarded for providing access to independent journalism and diverse voices. Addressing the reported technical issues and implementing user-requested features, such as improved notification management and zoom functionality, will significantly enhance the user experience. Focusing on stability and user control will solidify Substack's position as a valuable platform for readers and writers alike.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.substack.app