Substack terms

Gift Subscription

Option to gift a paid subscription to someone else.

What is a gift subscription in Substack?

A gift subscription in Substack is a feature that allows you to purchase a subscription to a specific newsletter on behalf of someone else. This is a great way to share content you love with friends, family, or colleagues. When you buy a gift subscription, you pay for the first term (usually a year), and the recipient will have the option to continue the subscription at their own expense once the gift term ends.

To purchase a gift subscription, you simply need to select the "Give a gift subscription" option, usually found on the newsletter's subscription page. You will then be prompted to enter the recipient's email address and a personal message if you wish. The recipient will receive an email notifying them of the gift, along with instructions on how to access the content. It's a simple and convenient way to share valuable content with others.

How does a gift subscription work on Substack?

A gift subscription on Substack works by allowing you to purchase a subscription for someone else. When you buy a gift subscription, you pay for the first term of the subscription (usually a year), and the recipient is notified via email that they have received a gift. They can then activate their subscription using a link in the email.

The recipient will have access to all the benefits of a regular subscription, including access to any subscriber-only posts or emails. At the end of the gift subscription term, the recipient has the option to renew the subscription at their own expense. If they choose not to renew, the subscription simply ends. The gifter is not automatically charged for a renewal.

Can I purchase multiple gift subscriptions on Substack?

Yes, you can purchase multiple gift subscriptions on Substack. Substack allows you to buy gift subscriptions for as many people as you want. You just need to go through the gift subscription purchase process for each recipient individually.

When you purchase a gift subscription, you will be asked to provide the recipient's email address. Substack will then send an email to the recipient with instructions on how to claim their gift. If the recipient already has a Substack account, the gift subscription will be added to their account. If they don't, they will be prompted to create one.

Is it possible to cancel or refund a gift subscription on Substack?

Substack's policy on gift subscriptions is not explicitly stated on their website. However, typically, most digital subscription services do not allow cancellations or refunds on gift subscriptions once they have been redeemed. This is because the gift subscription is usually tied to the recipient's account once it has been activated.

If the gift subscription has not been redeemed, there might be a possibility to cancel or refund it. However, this would be at the discretion of Substack and would likely require you to contact their customer service for assistance. It's always best to check directly with the company for their specific policies regarding cancellations and refunds.

If you also work with videos...

You should try Tella.tv - your all-in-one screen recorder, to create launch videos, product demos, social media videos, 1:1s for customers, and more!

Tella isn't just a screen recorder. It combines the simplicity of Loom with the creativity of Canva to create great looking videos with no effort.

With Tella, you can record your screen and/or camera, combine separate clips and quickly remove mistakes, apply beautiful backgrounds, change the camera layout, add zoom effects - almost instantly.

Tella screen recorder

< Back to Substack glossary

Try Tella today!

Screen recording for creators — simple and powerful.

7-day free trial — no credit card required