Independent Substack Publishers Class Action Inquiry Sign-On Statement
Independent Substack publishers are increasingly noticing unusual patterns that appear across multiple accounts. Sudden drops in open rates, unexplained subscriber losses, and discrepancies between platform metrics and subscriber feedback are being documented by a growing number of publishers. This sign-on is intended to collect records and confirm whether these issues are widespread. It is not a lawsuit, it is not a demand, and it is not a public accusation. Its purpose is to create a clear record and allow class action attorneys to evaluate whether further legal review is appropriate.
📌 Independent Publisher Sign-On (Embedded)
For independent, non-celebrity Substack publishers only
This is a collective inquiry for legal review. Signing on confirms that you have experienced one or more of the issues listed and are willing to be included in a collective record. You may remain anonymous if you prefer.
Issues Being Reported
Select all that apply:
☐ Sudden drop in open rates, often to 3–5 percent
☐ Engagement collapse inconsistent with list size
☐ Clusters of failed payment unsubscribes
☐ Delivery delays or missing emails
☐ Metrics contradicting direct subscriber interaction
☐ Other unexplained platform irregularities
How to Sign On
Copy and paste the template below into a comment or email response. You may omit any fields you do not wish to share publicly.
Publisher Name or Alias:
Subscriber Count Range:
Primary Topic (optional):
Approx. Date Issues Began:
Issues Observed (list or check):
Consent to be contacted by legal counsel if review proceeds: Yes / No
Privacy Note
Public comments will be treated as express consent to be included in the collective record. Anonymous or private submissions will be summarized in aggregate only. No information will be shared with attorneys without your consent.
For Class Action Attorneys
If you are an attorney experienced in class action litigation, platform accountability, consumer protection, or digital publishing disputes you may request aggregated participation data, redacted documentation samples, and coordinated publisher contact. Outreach can remain confidential.
Why This Matters
For many independent publishers, Substack is a primary source of income. When engagement, delivery, or payment systems behave unpredictably, the financial impact is real. This sign-on is intended to document experiences and create transparency. If no wrongdoing is occurring, the record will confirm that. If systemic issues exist, legal review may be warranted.



Thank you for doing this. I wrote about it on the same day. https://christophercook.substack.com/p/censorship-substack
There are some things that are harder to prove—things that could have legitimate explanations but seem fishy anyway: Scores of stacks all plateauing in growth and cratering in Notes reach within a few months in 2025. Unsubscribe/email disable rates that appear to increase anytime one has an increase in subscribers (to keep one's overall number from climbing beyond the plateau level). Unsubscribe/email disable rates that don't match the subscriber number shown.
The Starfire Codes is doing a lot of work on this subject.
And So It Begins … the Digital Cage