Let me guess: you're writing consistently on Substack, tagging your posts, using strong headlines, maybe even doing some SEO wizardry... and yet, when you Google your post title? Nothing. Or maybe your publication shows up, but none of your individual posts are indexed.
You're not crazy. You're just stuck in the same boat as a lot of us Substack authors. The good news? We figured out why, and we've built a clean workaround to fix it. Bonus: it can help build long-term SEO juice and even open up a little side income if you play it right.
The Problem: Substack + Google = Inconsistent Indexing
Substack is a content platform, not a fully SEO-optimized CMS. Yes, it has RSS feeds and basic metadata, but:
Substack posts are often not indexed individually by Google unless they’ve gained enough authority or backlinks.
Substack feeds don’t create traditional sitemaps the way WordPress does.
There's no native way to customize meta titles, canonical URLs, or structure your site content for search engines.
In short: if you just publish and hope for SEO love, you're gonna be disappointed.
The Fix: Use WordPress to Amplify Your Substack
Here’s what we did:
Set up a lightweight WordPress site using a simple theme (full-site editing, minimal bloat, and a modern aesthetic).
Installed the FeedWordPress plugin – a free RSS importer that pulls content from your Substack feed and creates actual WordPress posts.
Set the post status to "Published" and added a template snippet that includes a backlink to the original Substack post.
Installed Rank Math SEO to handle meta titles, indexing, and sitemaps.
Verified the domain with Google Search Console and submitted the sitemap.
Now? Every Substack post gets:
Its own URL on a real website
Indexed in Google properly
Linked back to the original Substack post (SEO win)
The Result: Posts Get Indexed. Authority Grows. And Readers Have a New Entry Point.
You still use Substack as your writing platform. But now you also:
Control your SEO presence
Build backlinks to your publication
Own a professional site that reflects your brand
Want Help Setting Yours Up?
We’re now offering a setup service for Substack writers. We’ll:
Launch a clean, optimized WordPress site for you (on DreamHost, using our affiliate discount)
Automate the import of your Substack feed
Configure SEO, backlinks, and indexing
Show you how to manage the whole thing without tech headaches
All you have to do is write. We'll handle the rest.
Interested? DM me or email me here
Why DreamHost?
Solid uptime
Fast backend performance for WordPress
Simple one-click installs
And yeah... we’ll get a cut when you sign up, which helps us keep helping writers.
Let us turn your Substack into an SEO-friendly machine without you lifting a finger.
Stay visible,
Duane
Read this on Substack where it first appeared — if you’re into that sort of thing.
