How-to · 8 min read
A substack directory works when listings are structured, searchable, and easy to monetize. This guide shows how to ship one with Row.so — from niche prompt or Google Sheet to paid listings — in an afternoon.
Pick a tight audience: Writer networks, media curators, newsletter affiliates. Narrow niches rank faster and convert better for featured listings.
Write a one-line prompt like “Top Substack writers in tech and business” so AI can seed categories and sample listings.
Use the AI builder to create categories, tags, and starter listings in about 60 seconds.
Or connect Google Sheets with 2-way sync and keep editorial in a spreadsheet your team already uses.
Use an upvote list so the community surfaces the best listings.
Row.so ships meta tags, sitemap, OG images, and llms.txt so search engines and AI systems understand your listings.
Connect Stripe, Lemon Squeezy, Polar, or PayPal. Offer one-time or recurring featured plans and keep 100% of revenue — Row.so takes 0%.
Publish on a custom domain, share in communities your audience already uses, and keep the sheet (or admin) updated weekly. Pair this guide with the Substack directory use case page for layout and monetization examples.
Most founders launch a first version in under an hour with Row.so: prompt or Sheets import, tune filters, connect payments, and publish.
No. Row.so is a hosted AI directory builder — no plugins, hosting, or custom code required.
Yes. Native paid listings with your own payment provider and 0% platform fee.
Row.so is an AI directory website builder with paid listings on every plan — describe your niche or connect a Google Sheet and go live today.
Getting started
Pick a niche, structure listings, ship SEO, turn on paid listings, and launch without WordPress or custom code.
Revenue
Paid listings, submission fees, sponsorships, affiliates, and job posts — what works by traffic stage.
Workflow
Keep Sheets as your CMS with two-way sync — publish a fast, filterable, SEO directory on top.
