How TopSpot Works
A transparent, 3-round visibility competition for independent newsletters.
Bid higher → move higher → get discovered.
The 3 Core Mechanics
Everything in TopSpot is designed around clarity and direct competition. No complex formulas, no locked periods.
1. 24/7 Continuous Bidding
Bidding never pauses. At any second during the active 30-day round, you can raise your bid to climb higher on the public leaderboard.
2. One Simple Bid
Every publication has exactly one bid number per round. There is no cumulative money tracking or lifetime spend barrier to entry.
3. 30-Day Reset & Winner
When a round ends, the top newsletter is crowned the round winner. Then bids reset so each 30-day round is a fresh race for top visibility!
Step-by-Step: How a Round Works
From entering your newsletter to taking the #1 spot on the leaderboard.
Join the Active Round
Enter your publication name, category, website or Substack URL, and an opening bid of at least $10. Your publication immediately enters the live leaderboard at its qualifying rank.
Climb Higher With the Outbid Rule
To move ahead of a newsletter above you, you simply place a bid that beats their current round bid.
The Outbid Formula:
Required Bid = MAX(Target Bid + $2, Target Bid × 1.10)
You must raise by at least +$2 or +10%. This prevents spam bidding of 1 cent and keeps the leaderboard dynamic.
Competitor bid is $20. Minimum required to overtake is $22 (+$2).
Competitor bid is $100. Minimum required to overtake is $110 (+10%).
Round Completion & Round Winner
Each round lasts exactly 30 days. When the countdown timer reaches zero:
- The leaderboard freezes and official final positions are recorded.
- The round winner is permanently preserved in the public Round History tab.
- The top-ranking newsletter wins the round TopSpot crown and maximum audience spotlight.
Bids Reset to $0 Each Round
At the beginning of each new round, all bids reset to $0.
This guarantees that past winners cannot monopolize the top spot indefinitely without actively participating. Each 30-day round is a brand-new race for top visibility!
Position & Visibility Tiers
Higher bids earn higher leaderboard rank and exponentially greater exposure.
🏆 The #1 TopSpot: The newsletter with the highest bid at the end of each 30-day round claims the top position and maximum reader discovery!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about how bidding or dashboard access works?
When do I pay for my bids?
You only pay for the bids you choose to submit. There are no recurring subscriptions or surprise bills.
Can I edit my newsletter profile?
Yes! Creators receive their own dashboard where you can update your publication title, bio, category, subscriber count, and link anytime.
Can I enter mid-season?
Yes! New newsletters can enter any active round for $10. Because bids reset each round, you can immediately contend for #1 in your first round.
Where does the traffic go?
Every click from the TopSpot leaderboard links directly to your publication website or Substack without intermediaries.
Ready to climb the leaderboard?
Join other independent founders and publication creators. Secure top visibility for your newsletter today.