I've been writin for a living n the web since 1999. Do you know all those articles that tell you how fabulous Substack is? If you join, they get paid a commisison. This is nothing new. Writers use affiliate marketing to support themselves. It's been happening almost right from the start of the web.

If you're a professional writer, you need an income. Most print magazines have closed down. It's very difficult to earn as a writer. Affilate marketing is one way. Donations through patrons is another way. Advertising is a third way. Medium is the only publication that I know of that pays according to reading time.

And according to figues that I've read 95% never reach $100.

That's also pretty normal. Most writers on the web never reach payout.