What happens to my paid subscribers?

You must cancel all paid subscriptions before deletion. Subscribers will no longer be charged, and their access to paid content will end.

Can I export my Substack content?

Yes, Substack offers data export. Go to Settings > Data export to request your content, subscriber list, and analytics before deletion.

What happens to my subscriber list?

Your subscriber list will be deleted. Export it before deletion if you want to maintain those contacts for future use.

Will my posts be removed from the internet?

Your posts will be removed from Substack. However, if they were indexed by search engines or archived elsewhere, copies may persist.

What about my custom domain?

After deletion, update your custom domain's DNS settings to prevent it from pointing to your deleted Substack. Otherwise, visitors will see error pages.

Can I delete my publication but keep my reader account?

Yes, if you have both a publication and subscribe to other newsletters, you can delete your publication separately from your reader account.

Can I create a new Substack after deletion?

Yes, you can create a new Substack account and publication after deletion. However, none of your previous content or subscribers will be available.

How to Delete Your Substack Account - Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Written & Verified By

Delete.Directory Content Team

Our team of privacy advocates and digital rights experts has helped over 100,000 users reclaim control of their online presence. We test every deletion process to ensure accuracy.

This guide helps you permanently delete your Substack account. We believe in digital autonomy: your right to leave any platform should be as easy as joining it. Follow these verified steps to ensure complete account deletion.

How We Verified This Guide

Methodology: Hands-on testing with live accounts

Quick Information

Time Required

7 minutes

Difficulty

easy

Steps

5 steps

Official Resources

Official Substack Support - Delete Account

Official deletion guide from Substack

Additional Resources

[1]

Substack Privacy Policy

Official privacy policy

[2]

Substack Terms of Use

Legal terms regarding account management

[3]

Substack Data Policies

Information about data handling

Step-by-Step Guide

Cancel all subscriptions

If you have a publication with paid subscribers, you must cancel all subscriptions and stop accepting payments before deletion. If you're subscribed to other publications, cancel those as well.

Tips

•Notify subscribers about closure
•Export subscriber list if needed
•Process any pending payments
•Cancel both writer and reader subscriptions

Warnings

•Cannot delete with active paid subscriptions

Archive or delete your publication

If you have a Substack publication, archive it or delete all posts. Go to your publication's Settings > Publication details to manage this.

Tips

•Archive preserves content privately
•Export posts if you want backups
•Save subscriber list if needed

Log into Substack

Visit substack.com and sign in with your credentials.

Tips

•Use web browser for best results
•Have password ready
•Complete any pending actions

Access account settings

Click your profile picture or icon in the top right, then click 'Settings'. Navigate to 'Account' section.

Tips

•Settings contain all account management
•Review what will be deleted

Delete your account

In Account settings, scroll to bottom and click 'Delete account'. Confirm your decision when prompted. Your account will be permanently deleted.

Tips

•Deletion is permanent
•Save confirmation email
•Your publication will be removed

Warnings

•All your posts and subscriber relationships will be deleted

Important Warnings

Permanent content and subscriber loss

All your Substack posts, drafts, subscriber lists, and payment history will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

Must handle paid subscriptions first

If you have paid subscribers, you must cancel all subscriptions, process payments, and resolve financial matters before deletion.

Subscriber relationships lost

Your relationship with all subscribers (free and paid) will be permanently severed. They won't receive any further notifications from you.

No automatic data export

Substack offers data export, but you must request it before deletion. Save your subscriber list, posts, and analytics manually.

Payment history access

After deletion, you may lose easy access to payment history needed for taxes. Download financial records first.

Custom domain settings

If you use a custom domain, you'll need to update DNS settings after deletion to prevent broken links.

Alternatives to Consider

Archive your publication

easy

Archive your Substack instead of deleting to make it private while preserving content.

Pros

•Preserves all posts and content
•Can unarchive later
•Maintains subscriber relationships

Cons

•Data remains on Substack servers
•Publication still exists
•Doesn't fully address privacy

5 min

Switch to free-only publication

easy

Stop accepting paid subscriptions but keep publication free for existing subscribers.

Pros

•Maintains audience relationship
•No financial obligations
•Can still publish occasionally

Cons

•Account and data remain
•No revenue
•Still on Substack platform

10 min

Export and migrate platform

hard

Export your Substack content and subscriber list, then migrate to alternative newsletter platform.

Pros

•Maintains your content and audience
•Can choose different platform
•Continues newsletter business

Cons

•Time-consuming migration
•Subscribers need to re-subscribe
•Different platform features

120 min

Frequently Asked Questions

No, account deletion is permanent. Your publication, posts, and subscriber relationships cannot be recovered once deleted.

References & Citations

[1]
Substack Privacy Policy
Official privacy policy
https://substack.com/privacy
[2]
Substack Terms of Use
Legal terms regarding account management
https://substack.com/tos
[3]
Substack Data Policies
Information about data handling
https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/sections/360008549091-Privacy-and-security

All citations verified as of 11/8/2025. We regularly review and update all external links to ensure accuracy.

Found incorrect information?

We strive for accuracy. If something's outdated or wrong, let us know.

Report incorrect information

Quick Navigation

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Alternative publishing platform

Critical Warnings

Permanent content and subscriber loss
All your Substack posts, drafts, subscriber lists, and payment history will be permanently deleted a...
Must handle paid subscriptions first
If you have paid subscribers, you must cancel all subscriptions, process payments, and resolve finan...
Subscriber relationships lost
Your relationship with all subscribers (free and paid) will be permanently severed. They won't recei...

Last Updated

November 8, 2025

Substack Account Deletion

How We Verified This Guide

Quick Information

Official Resources

Additional Resources

Step-by-Step Guide

Cancel all subscriptions

Archive or delete your publication

Log into Substack

Access account settings

Delete your account

Important Warnings

Permanent content and subscriber loss

Must handle paid subscriptions first

Subscriber relationships lost

No automatic data export

Payment history access

Custom domain settings

Alternatives to Consider

Archive your publication

Switch to free-only publication

Export and migrate platform

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Citations

Found incorrect information?

Quick Navigation

Related Guides

Critical Warnings

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