11 Comments
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Jess Black's avatar

I think you should drop everything and trademark the word “crackorithm”

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Joe Lazer (FKA Lazauskas)'s avatar

Any suggestions for working that into the headline?

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Sue Tobias's avatar

Really interesting post - and love the Conehead picture!

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Caroline's avatar

It makes sense that individuals want to own their audiences, and be able to reach them more directly than thru an overarching, less trustworthy or money hungry platform (in some cases). Do you see that biggies like LinkedIn for example, which is owned by Microsoft, doing things to make it impossible to promote one's own content off the LI platform, any time soon? Starting with LI's removing the ability to post links in original posts' copy, but users can add them in their comments section, makes me think so.

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Joe Lazer (FKA Lazauskas)'s avatar

I think the social platforms are going to keep discouraging any behavior that encourages users to leave the platform (like, as you note, they already do by shadow banning link posts.) I think the question is whether they’ll take more aggressive action against shadow banning users who try other tactics to drive their audience to Substack. I’ve definitely felt some algorithmic punishment on LinkedIn as I try to move my audience more and more over here to Substack.

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Caroline's avatar

Yes, I'm anticipating that will happen soon... thanks for your perspective, as always.

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Nicole Balsam's avatar

This feels very true. Could be part of the reason more brands are investing more into influencers.

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Joe Lazer (FKA Lazauskas)'s avatar

100% but ALSO why those influencers are trying to drive their audiences to Substack and Patreon

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Swabreen Bakr's avatar

Really enjoyed reading this one. I’ve also avoided the clock app for the same reasons but the marketing funnel you proposed is smart.

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Joe Lazer (FKA Lazauskas)'s avatar

Thanks! I’d probably be better at TikTok if I actually used the app, but the mental health trade off with the crackorithm just doesn’t seem worth it

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Swabreen Bakr's avatar

Totally agree

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