Substack now allows writers to direct their US-based readers to web-based subscriptions, often providing a more affordable alternative, directly within the iOS app.
Web Subscriptions on iOS
Substack creators can now guide their audience toward web subscriptions. This shift provides a workaround to Apple’s in-app purchase system, which typically takes a percentage of subscription revenue. Directing users to the web allows writers to offer subscriptions, frequently at a lower cost, circumventing those fees.
Benefits for Writers
Increased Revenue: By avoiding Apple’s fees, writers retain a larger portion of their earnings.
Pricing Flexibility: Writers can set more competitive prices for their subscriptions.
Direct Relationship: Fosters a more direct connection with their subscribers outside the walled garden of the App Store.
How it Works
Substack integrates a seamless way for readers to subscribe via the web. When a reader clicks a subscription link within the iOS app, they are redirected to a Substack-hosted page where they can complete their purchase.
Impact on Readers
Lower Prices: Readers can often access the same content for less money.
Simplified Subscription Management: Manage subscriptions directly through Substack’s website.
A recent report indicates that weekly subscriptions are now a dominant force in generating revenue for iOS applications. This trend highlights a significant shift in how users engage with and pay for mobile app content and services.
The Rise of Weekly Subscriptions
Several factors contribute to the increasing popularity of weekly subscriptions:
Affordability: Weekly subscriptions often present a lower initial financial commitment compared to monthly or annual plans.
Flexibility: Users appreciate the ability to easily cancel or adjust their subscriptions on a more frequent basis.
Trial Periods: Many apps offer free trials for weekly subscriptions, enticing users to experience the benefits before committing long-term.
Impact on App Developers
The shift towards weekly subscriptions has several implications for iOS app developers:
Revenue Stream: Weekly subscriptions can provide a more consistent and predictable revenue stream compared to one-time purchases or monthly plans.
User Engagement: The frequent billing cycle encourages developers to maintain high levels of user engagement and provide ongoing value to subscribers.
Pricing Strategies: Developers must carefully consider their pricing strategies to balance affordability with profitability when offering weekly subscriptions.
Examples of Successful Weekly Subscriptions
Many apps across various categories have successfully implemented weekly subscription models:
Streaming Services: Some streaming apps offer weekly access to premium content.
Productivity Tools: Apps like Notion or Evernote provide weekly options for upgraded features.
Gaming Apps: Certain mobile games offer weekly subscriptions for in-game currency or exclusive items.
Gmail’s New ‘Manage Subscriptions’ Tool: Inbox Declutter
Are you tired of a cluttered Gmail inbox overflowing with promotional emails and newsletters? Google has heard your cries! They’re rolling out a new ‘Manage subscriptions’ tool designed to help you regain control of your inbox. This feature aims to simplify the process of unsubscribing from unwanted email lists, making it easier than ever to achieve inbox zero.
How the Tool Works
Google just launched a Manage Subscriptions feature in Gmail that automatically identifies subscription emails cluttering your inbox. Instead of scrolling to tiny unsubscribe links, you can now:
See all subscriptions in one place, sorted by how often each sender emails you.
Unsubscribe with a single click—Gmail sends the request for you.
View senders’ recent send frequency, so you can focus on the most active ones.
This feature is rolling out today for web, with Android support starting July 14 and iOS on July 21. It may take a couple of weeks to reach everyone across personal Google accounts, Workspace, and Workspace Individual plans in select countries.
Key Features:
Centralized Subscription Management: View all your subscriptions in one place.
Easy Unsubscribing: Unsubscribe with a single click, right from your inbox.
Reduced Inbox Clutter: Say goodbye to unwanted emails and enjoy a cleaner inbox.
Benefits of Using the Tool
The ‘Manage subscriptions’ tool offers numerous benefits for Gmail users:
Improved Inbox Organization: Keep your inbox focused on important emails.
Time Savings: No more wasting time deleting unwanted subscriptions individually.
Enhanced Productivity: A cleaner inbox can lead to increased focus and productivity.
Availability
Google is gradually rolling out the “Manage subscriptions” feature to all Gmail users. Now, Gmail automatically groups incoming subscription emails in a single dashboard. From there, you can see how often each sender emails you and unsubscribe in one click from within Gmail’s interface .
You’ll find it in the left sidebar, under More Manage subscriptions. Rollout started on web today July 8, 2025. Android users get it by July 14, iOS by July 21. The full rollout can take up to 15 days to reach everyone across personal accounts and Workspace theverge.com.
RevenueCat Raises $50M as it Expands Beyond Mobile App Monetization
RevenueCat, a platform providing vital infrastructure for in-app subscriptions, recently secured $50 million in funding. This investment marks a significant step as the company broadens its services beyond simple mobile app monetization.
What RevenueCat Does
RevenueCat helps developers manage subscriptions, analyze data, and grow revenue. They provide tools and insights to optimize pricing, reduce churn, and improve the overall subscription experience. This latest funding round aims to fuel expansion into new areas of revenue management.
Expansion Plans
With the fresh capital, RevenueCat plans to invest in several key areas:
Product Development: Expanding their suite of tools to offer more comprehensive revenue management solutions.
Team Growth: Hiring talented engineers, product managers, and marketers to support their growing customer base.
Market Expansion: Reaching new markets and platforms beyond mobile apps.
The Future of App Monetization
The app economy continues to evolve, and RevenueCat aims to be at the forefront of this change. By providing developers with the tools they need to succeed, they are helping to create a more sustainable and profitable app ecosystem. The funding round signifies strong investor confidence in RevenueCat’s vision and its ability to execute its ambitious plans. They help mobile app developers understand their subscriber behavior and improve decision-making.
Spotify Sees Subscription Boost from iOS External Payments
Spotify reported a rise in subscriptions after enabling support for external payments on iOS. This move allows users to subscribe directly through Spotify, bypassing Apple’s in-app purchase system. The change aims to give users more payment flexibility and potentially reduce costs associated with Apple’s fees.
The Impact of External Payments
By offering external payment options, Spotify gains greater control over its subscription process. Users can now choose to pay directly through Spotify’s website, which could lead to increased revenue for the company. This is a significant step in Spotify’s strategy to diversify its payment options and reduce reliance on app store payment systems. The company has been testing this functionality in several markets.
Benefits for Users
More payment options
Potential cost savings
Direct relationship with Spotify
Spotify’s Strategy
This update reflects Spotify’s broader strategy to navigate the evolving landscape of app store policies and subscription models. By embracing external payments, Spotify is positioning itself for greater financial flexibility and user engagement. Stay tuned for more updates as Spotify continues to innovate and adapt its payment strategies.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a delay in the enforcement of its new click-to-cancel rule. This rule aims to make it as easy for consumers to cancel recurring subscriptions as it is to sign up for them.
What the Click-to-Cancel Rule Entails
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) “click-to-cancel” rule mandates that sellers provide a straightforward method for consumers to cancel their subscriptions, ensuring the cancellation process is as simple as the sign-up process. This regulation aims to eliminate deceptive practices and reduce consumer frustration associated with canceling recurring services.AP News
Key Requirements of the Click-to-Cancel Rule
Ease of Cancellation: If consumers can sign up for a service online, they must be able to cancel it through the same medium without unnecessary obstacles. For example, companies cannot require customers to cancel via phone or in person if the sign-up was completed online. Reuters
Clear Disclosures: Businesses are required to transparently disclose all terms related to subscriptions, including auto-renewal policies, free trial conversions, and any associated fees. This ensures consumers are fully informed before committing to a service. AP News
Obtain Explicit Consent: Before charging consumers for subscriptions, auto-renewals, or trial conversions, companies must obtain clear and affirmative consent. This measure prevents unauthorized charges and enhances consumer control over their subscriptions. ReutersBusiness Insider
Prohibition of Misleading Practices: The rule prohibits businesses from employing deceptive tactics that complicate the cancellation process, such as hiding cancellation options or requiring unnecessary steps. This ensures a straightforward and honest approach to subscription management. Lifewire
Applicability Across Industries: The regulation applies to a broad range of sectors, including retailers, gyms, online services, and media companies, ensuring widespread consumer protection. Reuters
The FTC has delayed the enforcement of this rule to July 14, 2025, providing businesses with additional time to comply. This postponement aims to balance consumer interests with the practical challenges businesses may face in implementing the new requirements.
For a comprehensive overview of the FTC‘s “click-to-cancel” rule and its implications, you can refer to the detailed coverage by Reuters here: Reuters
Allowing consumers to cancel in the same manner they used to subscribe.
Providing a clear and straightforward cancellation process.
Obtaining consumer consent before charging them for renewals.
Reasons for the Delay
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has postponed the enforcement of its “click-to-cancel” rule, officially known as the Negative Option Rule, from May 14 to July 14, 2025. This rule mandates that canceling a subscription should be as straightforward as signing up—particularly if the sign-up can be done online, the cancellation must be possible online as well. Federal Register+9The Verge+9Tech.co+9
The delay is attributed to the complexities involved in implementing such a broad rule across various industries. The FTC recognized that immediate compliance could impose significant burdens on businesses, prompting the decision to provide additional time for companies to adjust their systems and processes accordingly. The Verge
Industry experts are closely monitoring how the FTC manages the implementation of this rule. While the FTC has emphasized that full enforcement will begin on July 14, it has also indicated openness to amending the rule if significant issues arise during implementation. The Verge
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has postponed the enforcement of its “click-to-cancel” rule to July 14, 2025, providing businesses with additional time to align their subscription practices with the new requirements. This rule mandates that canceling a subscription must be as straightforward as signing up, particularly emphasizing that online sign-ups must be accompanied by equally accessible online cancellation options.
Key Steps for Businesses to Prepare
Audit and Revise Cancellation Processes: Ensure that the cancellation process mirrors the simplicity of the sign-up procedure. For instance, if customers can subscribe online, they should be able to cancel online without unnecessary hurdles. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul+2The Verge+2FOX 13 Tampa Bay+2
Enhance Transparency in Disclosures: Clearly communicate all terms related to subscriptions, including auto-renewal policies, free trial conversions, and any associated fees. Transparency is crucial to comply with the rule’s emphasis on informed consumer consent. Latham & Watkins+2Investopedia+2Yahoo Finance+2Federal Trade Commission
Train Customer Service Teams: Equip your customer service representatives with comprehensive knowledge about the new rule to assist customers effectively and ensure compliance.PC Gamer
Monitor Legal Developments: Stay informed about ongoing legal challenges to the rule, as industry groups have filed lawsuits questioning its scope and implementation. Reuters+3JD Supra+3The US Sun+3
By proactively addressing these areas, businesses can ensure compliance with the FTC‘s upcoming enforcement and foster trust with their customer base.
