I recently got a newsletter from a content expert discussing how AI has changed the game in SEO. And don’t worry, this isn’t a post about the benefits of SEO and AEO, what AEO is doing for businesses, or how to write to rank well for either.
Their point was directed to content creators. They basically said that our chances of gaining a reader through Google searches are lower these days than they’ve ever been. Why? Because if AI is feeding answers to our potential audience, why would the reader bother clicking the link to learn more? Or bother finding out more about the writer?
So, the thinking is that we should paywall our content more often so AI scrapers aren’t taking our ideas and advice.
I’ve thought about this myself lately as I enter my third week of sharing listings of podcasters looking for guests. It’s a free post. There are no paywalls. I suppose AI could round up the links and steal my thunder. I’m not too worried about that yet, but it’s too early to tell.
When I think about paywalling content, and subscription models like Substack and Beehiiv, there is one flaw in the logic of paywalling. And I think that’s the downside of platforms like Substack and others like it.
Subscription fatigue.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not rolling in the dough here. I’m a paid subscriber to two newsletters right now. One of which I plan to cancel. Another is for an acquaintance whom I want to support and won’t cancel as long as they have a newsletter.
Outside of the newsletter world, I’m a paid subscriber to a few apps, many streaming services, and at least one or two software programs.
It’s all tiring. $5 here and there absolutely adds up.
That’s the problem with paywalling content. Yes, writers should be supported. And you know? A lot of people have enough subscribers willing to pay and support it to make that a good decision for the content creator. So, good for them.
But I don’t think we’d be in a spot where there are so many pay-to-read newsletters if writing gigs were as abundant as they once were. Writers want to be paid because we’re often not being paid otherwise. There are far too many low-paying gigs and too few well-paying opportunities that can sustain a lifestyle. And not all of us want to become marketers and strategizers. And day jobs are just as hard to find as freelance gigs.
The logic remains: why shouldn’t a writer put up a paywall that could potentially cover a day’s worth of groceries?
It’s fair. I totally get it. But I’m not sure this era will last long, especially as the cost of everything keeps rising.
I’m curious: what do you think about pay-to-read newsletters and how many do you support?
