Threads already launched another podcast-oriented feature in recent months the ability to link to a show on a profile and have it open in Apple Podcasts, iHeart or Spotify and the company hopes that luring podcasters could foster community around their shows. If podcasters engage with the service, it could make Threads more compelling to listeners and viewers as a place to gather virtually to discuss episodes, said Connor Hayes, head of Threads.
Substack's bet that writers want the platform to provide a community just as much as distribution appears to be paying off in 2025. Five newsletter creators who moved their operations over to Substack from other platforms such as Patreon and Beehiiv in the past year told Digiday that their following - and revenue - had grown since they made the jump, directly crediting Substack community tools such as co-livestreaming and recommendations for the subscriber boost.