Why I'm using Substack sections more in 2026
Learn how Substack sections help you send fewer irrelevant emails, keep readers engaged, and let subscribers pick the topics they want to receive.
Inspired by the fantastic Simon Haisell, creator of Substack bestseller Footnotes & Tangents, I’m branching out with more sections in 2026.
You might have already seen me announce this if you’re subscribed to the Freelance Writing Network. But essentially, readers of the newsletter can now choose exactly which posts they receive, depending on the subject.
This change helps both sides. I get to write and share updates on lots of different topics, and readers get to avoid wading through pieces that don’t interest them. Everyone wins!
What are Substack sections?
Substack sections are like separate newsletters that live inside the main publication. Each section has its own focus or topic, and readers can choose whether to get emails from that section or skip it.
On my end, it still looks like one newsletter. But for readers, rather than receive updates about subjects that don’t interest them, they can stay engaged with the content that they do want to receive.
When do sections help most?
Sections shine when you publish multiple times a week or cover wildly different topics. If you ran a politics Substack, for example, you could split US politics and UK politics into separate sections so people only get the region they care about.
The same logic applies to a newsletter like mine that blends freelance opportunities, business advice, writing craft, and all manner of other bits and pieces. Some readers want everything. Others only want one aspect.
Sections let the readers control what they want to receive.
Why does reader choice matter?
When someone subscribes, they usually have one clear reason. Maybe they want help with freelance pitching, or they’re curious about making Substack feel more professional. If I then bombard them with every single update, they’re more likely to tune out or unsubscribe.
For example, I share daily updates of writing jobs, but not everyone wants those. Not everyone wants grants & bursaries. Only some will want posts about freelancing. If readers can choose what they want to receive, it makes the whole newsletter more accessible. And will boost my open rates as a result.
Letting readers choose sections respects their attention. It also keeps the list warmer, because people see more of what they actually signed up for and less of the ‘wait, why is this in my inbox?’ content.
What can go wrong?!
Here’s the snag. Sections rely on readers to update their own preferences. That sounds fine in theory, but most people don’t click links in emails unless there’s a clear, immediate payoff. I mean, how often do you click email links? It’s probably not often.
Getting readers to actually do something is the hardest part of Substack. Even if it’s quick, easy and benefits them.
Many subscribers don’t know sections exist, or where to change them. Even if I point them in the right direction.
On Substack, they have to visit their account settings or hit ‘manage subscription’ from an email, which is hardly front and centre. So the tool is powerful, but it depends on real engagement, not wishful thinking.
You can direct someone to settings using: publicationname.substack.com/account. If you’ve got a custom URL, just ditch the ‘Substack’. For example, to update your GYN sections you can go to: grow-your-newsletter.com/account while logged in!
How I’ll help readers use them
Because people rarely go hunting for settings (always expect readers to be far less engaged than they actually are), I’m planning to make the option obvious.
I’ll add a clear line at the top of emails as I start pushing sections more (possibly in headers), something like ‘Want to choose which emails you receive? Update your preferences here.’
I’ll also add this to the welcome email so new readers see it right away, while they’re (hopefully) still paying attention. And probably in more detail too, by explaining what each section actually includes.
After that, I’ll send the odd reminder (specifically to subscribers who are still receiving emails for every section), so you don’t have to remember where the button lives. No nagging, just the occasional tap on the shoulder.
It seems like whenever a newsletter creates a new section, I'm never subscribed to it unless I randomly happen to check my settings and notice that they created a new section and so I toggle it on. I find this very frustrating.
Are sections the same as the tabs across the top navigation bar?