Substack has introduced a new feature that lets readers check whether posts in their favorite newsletters were likely written by a human or with help from AI. The update comes through an integration with Pangram, an AI writing detection tool.
With the new system, users can scan posts, comments, notes, and replies inside the Substack app to get an estimate of how much of the text may be human-written versus AI-generated. The feature is available for content longer than 100 characters.
For writers, Substack is also adding an optional AI Author's note, giving creators a way to explain how they use AI in their workflow. The company says the goal is not to block AI-assisted writing, but to make the creative process more transparent.
Substack CEO Chris Best described the move as a practical use of AI, while Pangram founder Max Spero discussed the importance of preserving the human core of writing. Publishers can also test their drafts before publishing and flag scans they believe are inaccurate.
The feature reflects a wider shift across digital media toward clearer labeling of AI-assisted content. For Substack, it may strengthen trust by helping readers better understand how each piece was created. In the future, tools like this could help shape a more transparent and credible publishing ecosystem.
