Substack is rolling out a new feature called “Reply Rules”, designed
to let creators better control how people respond to their posts and discussions.
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The tool allows writers and publishers to set custom guidelines for replies across
their content, including posts, Notes, and chat spaces.
These rules can define the tone and format of responses, such as filtering out certain language,
reducing unwanted AI-generated content, or even encouraging creative constraints like specific writing styles.
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Substack’s system also adapts over time by learning from creator actions, such as when comments
are hidden or flagged. It can then automatically filter replies that don’t match the established preferences,
while still giving creators the option to review and restore hidden content.
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The feature is part of Substack’s broader approach to decentralized moderation,
where individual creators are responsible for managing their own communities
rather than relying heavily on platform-wide enforcement.
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It arrives alongside existing tools that already allow users to delete comments, lock posts,
or restrict discussions entirely, but aims to reduce the manual workload involved in moderation.
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Currently, Reply Rules are available for all English-language publications on the platform.
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One thing is clear: Substack is continuing to shift toward giving creators more control over
their digital spaces, while experimenting with new ways to manage online conversations.
