After nearly a year of building my publication, Rob's Charts 101, I have completely lost confidence in Substack and how it treats its creators.
For almost a year, I published financial education, stock market analysis, cryptocurrency discussions, charts, market news, and risk management information. I also promoted my private Discord community and offered an $11.99 monthly membership through my website or Substack.
I did not knowingly change the nature of my content or how I operated my publication.
Then, without identifying a specific offending post or activity, Substack removed my publication, citing its Spam & Phishing policy.
Phishing? Seriously?
I have never knowingly attempted to trick anyone into revealing passwords, financial information, or other sensitive information. My content was about financial education, not stealing information.
On Friday, October 23, 2026, I submitted an appeal requesting an explanation and asking Substack to identify exactly what I supposedly did wrong.
I received no acknowledgment or explanation by the time I contacted support again on October 25.
When I reached out through their support system, I was repeatedly directed back to the same Appeals Center where I had already submitted my appeal. I requested a human representative, a formal complaint process, and eventually permanent closure of my account.
The response? Their support chat could not escalate my case, provide an explanation, offer a timeline, or confirm account closure.
How can a platform encourage creators to build their businesses, attract subscribers, and invest hundreds of hours in their publications, only to suspend them without clearly identifying the alleged violation?
I understand that platforms need rules. I support legitimate enforcement against spam, fraud, and phishing. But those rules should be enforced transparently and fairly, with creators given a meaningful opportunity to understand and challenge accusations.
I have preserved screenshots of my suspension notice, my appeal, and my conversations with Substack support. Everything I am describing is documented.
Why would I recommend trusting a platform with your business when my experience has shown me how quickly access can disappear, with little explanation and no direct assistance?
I am not claiming to know why Substack made its decision. That is precisely the problem: they have not explained it to me.
I have decided to stop using Substack and requested permanent account closure.
To other creators considering Substack: think carefully before building your entire business on a platform where you may have limited control over enforcement decisions and access to support.
Your audience, your work, and your reputation deserve better communication than I received.
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