Substack’s new tool tells you who’s been writing their newsletters with AI

2026-07-22 · Source: TechCrunch · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Novice, quick

Summary

Substack has introduced a new AI detection feature, integrating with Pangram software, to help users identify AI-generated content within its newsletter and writing platform. This tool allows scanning of posts, comments, and replies on the Substack app, providing an estimate of how much content was written by a human versus AI. While potentially exposing AI-assisted newsletters and impacting short-term trust, Substack aims to combat "AI slop" and foster long-term reader confidence. The company joins platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, and Tidal in labeling AI-generated content. Substack CEO Chris Best emphasizes that the feature encourages writers to focus on the "hard part" of content creation—valuable ideas—while disclosing AI assistance. The tool applies to content over 100 characters and supports optional AI author's notes, promoting transparency rather than prohibition.

Key takeaway

For content creators and publishers on platforms like Substack, you should proactively adopt transparency practices regarding AI assistance. Disclosing your use of AI through features like optional author's notes can build reader trust and differentiate your work from "AI slop." This shift towards platform-level AI labeling means prioritizing authentic human input, especially for core ideas, while leveraging AI for efficiency, to maintain your reputation and audience engagement.

Key insights

Platforms are adopting AI detection and labeling to maintain content integrity and user trust.

Principles

• Content platforms are moving towards mandatory AI content labeling.
• The "hard part" of writing—valuable ideas—is emphasized as human.
• AI detection aims for transparency, not outright prohibition.

Method

Substack integrates Pangram to scan content over 100 characters, estimating human vs. AI contribution, and offers optional AI author's notes.

In practice

• Scan Substack content via the app to see AI estimates.
• Writers can add optional AI author's notes for disclosure.
• Publishers can pre-scan drafts and dispute incorrect labels.

Topics

• Substack
• AI Detection
• Content Labeling
• Pangram
• Newsletter Platforms
• Content Authenticity

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by TechCrunch.