Substack Launches Reply Rules, Giving Creators Automated Tools to Filter Comments

Substack announced on Wednesday a new feature called Reply Rules that lets creators set specific guidelines for comments on their posts, in Notes, or in Chat. The guidelines can include requests to eliminate AI slop or profanity, or requirements such as only allowing replies in haiku form.

The system learns from users’ actions such as when they hide replies and will automatically filter out comments that do not match the creator’s preferences.

Creators maintain visibility over hidden replies and have the option to unhide them if they change their minds. Reply Rules are currently available for all English-language publications. Substack has long used a decentralized moderation approach where writers are responsible for policing their own communities.

Creators already have access to tools including the option to lock posts or threads to prevent additional comments, comment deletion, and the ability to ban or suspend users. The new feature may reduce the need for creators to sift through every comment manually.

In the announcement, Substack stated, “Since its founding, Substack has sought to create the best possible conditions for cultures of many varieties to flourish online.

This year Substack has rolled out several updates, including a built-in recording studio for creators to pre-record and publish videos and a TV app for subscribers to watch video posts and livestreams on their living room screens.