Can You Post the Same Blog on Substack and Medium?

Your key to Substack and medium supremacy.

Have you ever found yourself in a pickle, wondering if you can cross-post your hard-earned blog post on different platforms? 

I have been writing on Medium for a few years and am a newcomer here on Substack. Yes, I have always been eager to explore this million-dollar question and have chosen to delve deeply into it.

As a writer juggling multiple platforms like a circus performer, I’ve often pondered the age-old question: “Can I post the same content on Medium as Substack?” 

Let me tell you a tale that’ll make you say, “Aha, now I get it!”

It’s a valid query, one that deserves a thoughtful exploration.

The Simple Truth (with a Twist)

The simple answer is ‘Yes’. You can indeed republish your content on both Substack and Medium. 

But wait, there’s a catch! (Isn’t there always?)

While it’s perfectly acceptable to cross-post your masterpieces, there’s always a hidden danger—the dreaded “duplicate content” issue. 

Those tireless digital spiders and web crawlers might mistake your republished work as duplicate content, potentially impacting your article’s indexing and visibility in search engines.

Before you start hyperventilating, let me assure you there’s a solution to this problem. 

It’s a delicate dance, a strategic maneuver that’ll keep those web crawlers from getting their digital panties in a twist.

The Complex Solution (but Worth It!).

Grab a pen and paper (or your favorite note-taking app) because we’re about to dive into the intricate world of canonical URLs and content republishing strategies. 

Step 1: The Strategic Release
The first step in this content cross-posting odyssey is to decide where to publish your article.

Here’s a juicy insider tip: Substack doesn’t allow you to specify canonical URLs for your posts. That’s right; they’re playing hardball and ensuring their platform remains your content's source of origin.

On the other hand, Medium is more flexible and allows you to specify canonical URLs. 

The strategy is straightforward: first, publish your article on Substack, then, a day or two later, republish it on Medium with the canonical URL specified (more details on this later).

Step 2: Mastering the Canonical URL
Alright, let’s demystify this “canonical URL” mumbo-jumbo. 

A canonical URL is like a digital breadcrumb trail telling web crawlers, “Hey, this content was originally published elsewhere, so don’t index it as duplicate content.”

When you republish your article on Medium, you can specify the canonical URL, which should be the link to your original Substack post. 

This way, Medium will graciously bow to Substack's supremacy as the source of origin, and those pesky web crawlers won’t get all riled up about duplicate content.

But wait, there’s more! 

By specifying the canonical URL, you’re telling search engines, “Hey, Google (or Bing, or DuckDuckGo, or whoever’s listening), this is just a copy of the original article. 

Please give all the ranking love to the Substack version.” It’s like a digital peace treaty between platforms, ensuring your content’s visibility and rankings remain intact.

Step 3: The Final Touches
Now that you’ve mastered the art of canonical URL specification, it’s time to put the finishing touches on your cross-posting strategy. 

Remember, while republishing your content is acceptable, mixing things up is always a good idea.

You could tweak the title, add a snazzy introduction, or even include a few extra insights or personal anecdotes to make the republished version feel fresh and unique. 

After all, you don’t want your loyal readers to feel like they’re being served the same dish twice, right?

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Cross-Posting Lifestyle

Whew, that was quite a journey. 

Remember, the key to successful content republishing is a strategic approach, a dash of creativity, and respect for the digital world’s rules and etiquette. 

By following the steps outlined above, you can leverage the power of multiple platforms while keeping those web crawlers happy and your content’s visibility intact.

And remember, if you ever find yourself lost in the labyrinth of content marketing, reach out to your trusty guide (that’s me, by the way) for more sage advice and witty banter.

Until next time, keep those words flowing, and may your content reign supreme across all platforms!