The a16z Show Chris Best of Substack on the Future of Media
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Sep 2, 2025 
Chris Best, Cofounder and CEO of Substack, discusses the revolutionary impact of his platform on independent media. He explores how Substack empowers creators to connect directly with audiences, prioritizing quality content over algorithms. The conversation covers the evolution of blogging, the rebundling of media, and the importance of reliable business models like subscriptions. Best also delves into the changing dynamics of audience engagement, advocating for a cultural renaissance driven by independent voices and innovative media practices.
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Subscription As Permission
- Subscriptions are permission to 'tap the shoulder' of a reader and let creators take creative risks that algorithms suppress.
- Direct relationships let creators override distribution algorithms and pilot unconventional work.
Algorithms Need Better Objective Functions
- Algorithms aren't inherently bad; their objective function determines outcomes, so design them to serve readers' interests.
- Chris Best suggests a Substack algorithm could prioritize reader value rather than ad revenue.
Design Ads To Align With Creators
- If you add ads or sponsorships, design them from first principles so incentives remain aligned with creators and readers.
- Chris Best warns against importing legacy ad models that pit platform against creators.
