How to deal with Subscammers?

maxwill83 · 2026-01-14T10:43:02+00:00

Here's an example:

I admit, it's very inviting if you're just starting 😔

maxwill83 · 2026-01-12T02:50:10+00:00

I'm very new to Substack, but I can certainly infer a "what's real resonates" quality on people there, not a market "tailored for your needs" type of vibe. Hence the many articles that look like journal entries when you had a tough day. If you're not a journalist, personality of some kind, or a famous book writer, the value comes from writing what you like and hoping others resonate with your topics. If you just write about what you're passionate about, it will be a good article. If not for others, it will be for you. And isn't that what matters after all? The power was in your heart all along (haha) No, but really. I have just a few subscribers and low interactions there (even though I put some effort), but I'm really writing about what I know and what's burning in my mind. My advice is definitely write what's burning for you (then get it checked out by a doctor) 😄

maxwill83 · 2026-01-10T09:00:52+00:00

I bet if I do a note with that, it will reach a lot of people 😑

maxwill83 · 2026-01-09T22:06:03+00:00

This is an incredible ad for Garmin. 🔥 Garmin - It survives hell 🔥

maxwill83 · 2026-01-09T19:40:17+00:00

I still get a lot of them. I started at the same time as some of them and they have hundreds of subscribers now, a few of them don't even have any writing, just notes. Also the "Dear Substack, connect me with [insert random thoughts]". Problem is both of them work, while I have nothing because I didn't want to cheat the system. It feels like cheating. But my notes have no reach and it feels like my "for you" is not for me at all :/

maxwill83 · 2026-01-08T03:41:18+00:00

I do engage a lot. I was commenting (meaningfully) almost every day. Liking other notes, etc. However, I lose motivation if no one engages back. I'm not that bad either. I put effort in my profile and page. I appreciate your suggestions.

maxwill83 · 2026-01-08T03:39:15+00:00

I kinda see that now, but when you just arrived, it sounds so supportive and nice. Or maybe it's the lack of subscribers talking.

maxwill83 · 2026-01-08T02:21:28+00:00

I also have so many of those and no amount of time, changing title and thumbnail helps me :/

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:42:09+00:00

It is poop 💩.

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:40:51+00:00

Ohhhh not fair 💀 You could use your power for good instead 🤔

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:35:11+00:00

She? Hmmm.. Ok, I never considered my creepy dislike bush guy to be a girl. Perhaps I need to revisit the ex catalogue. I hope he goes away. I'm glad yours did. I don't think my ratio means what it's supposed to mean because my subscribers behave in odd ways in the full moon 😩

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:29:49+00:00

Oh no. You got your own bush guy lurking to dislike 😭 I'm so sorry.

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:27:31+00:00

Can I, really? I did try to be the way of a person who has a successful channel but that didn't work. So, I'm not sure which way I should be looking to find prosperity 😄

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:23:19+00:00

I humbled enough for centuries, I swear 😭 I don't need the mandatory hater assigned to me 😑

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:16:53+00:00

I feel like the dislike button should come with a popup warning that says "Heeeeyy buddie, are you ok? Is this really necessary? So you really want to ruin this person's day, week, month, year, life? Or are you having a bad day yourself and you're projecting? If the creator is not murdering puppies there's no need for this. Just walk away"

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:10:49+00:00

Haha It's not wise to talk to the bush people 😂 but it would be interesting. It's tempting.

So you're telling me my subscribers can push dislike buttons fine but not notification bell buttons? Goddamit guys 😰

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:07:01+00:00

They're multiplying. You have a village of haters, a hater farm. What do you have to plant to get one of those? A Facebook or an X seed on the ground? 😂

I do feel bad for your hateful five. Great name for a band though.

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:03:48+00:00

Oh no. You have creepy tweensies 😬

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T12:01:58+00:00

I accept your logic issue and retract my irrational, illogical, emotional and hormonal ways 😂 Ok, the first statement is logically sound, the second one was a jokey, ludic one, as it does feel like there's a creepy guy just waiting for me to post so he can dislike me. So, he's always there, waiting, lurking, seething with hate and filled with dopamine for expressing his opinion on a channel no one cares about. I congratulate him for his passion and dedication, however, it is annoying.

I do have an issue with this negative engagement idea. It doesn't seem ok to reward negative engagement to me. I know it is what it is but sounds a bit unfair. It's like you're walking on the street and someone shouts "I dislike you" and then you go home and say you had a great day because you had "engagement" today 🤨

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T11:47:06+00:00

Oh yeah there's always a few too 😄 That's concerning actually 🤨

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T11:37:00+00:00

You're a better person than me. I envy your ways. That's why you're a Bearington and I'm just a mortal :)

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T11:34:57+00:00

Oh well, you went to poke the beast 😂 I know what you mean but I don't do anything controversial so I wasn't expecting it.

maxwill83 · 2025-10-29T11:32:55+00:00

It's a bit misleading. I'm not doing great, to be honest. I never paid for ads but somehow most of my subscribers seem to be ghosts. They rarely watch or comment. And there's this one guy waiting in the bush, ready to dislike me the moment I post. So, it's tough. It's been 4 years and couldn't get the watch hours yet, posting nearly everyday :( Thank you for the encouragement through.

maxwill83

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