Ghost joins the open social web with latest release

After months of beta testing, Ghost—the open-source newsletter and publishing platform—has officially launched Ghost 6, a major new version of its software that brings native integration with the open social web. With this release, Ghost publishers can now extend their content beyond email and the web to platforms like Mastodon, Threads, Flipboard, WordPress (via ActivityPub), Surf, WriteFreely, and even Bluesky (via Bridgy Fed).

This move positions Ghost as a serious contender in the decentralized publishing space and a strong alternative to rivals like Substack, which has recently faced backlash over controversial content moderation decisions.

Expanding to the Fediverse

At the heart of Ghost 6 is full ActivityPub integration, a protocol used to power decentralized social networks like Mastodon and Threads. This means Ghost publishers can now:

• Publish directly to federated social apps
• Let followers like, reply to, or repost their articles
• Grow their readership across decentralized platforms

While Ghost doesn’t natively support Bluesky’s AT Protocol, it connects to it through Bridgy Fed, a bridge service that links the ActivityPub-powered fediverse with the ATmosphere (Bluesky’s ecosystem).

Inbox for Readers, Posts for Publishers

Ghost 6 introduces a new Inbox feature, letting users follow long-form content from other Ghost and WordPress blogs. At the same time, publishers can now use the admin panel to post short-form updates directly to the fediverse, giving them more ways to engage readers and build community outside of traditional email channels.

Substack’s Missteps, Ghost’s Opportunity

The launch of Ghost 6 comes on the heels of a PR disaster for Substack, which recently sent a push notification promoting a Nazi newsletter, reigniting criticism over its lax content policies. High-profile writers like Casey Newton (Platformer) have left Substack in protest.

Ghost, in contrast, continues to attract major independent publishers including:

• 404 Media
• Spyglass
• The Lever (David Sirota)
• Tangle
• Inside (Jason Calacanis)
• SFist

New Features Beyond the Fediverse

While the fediverse support is a highlight, Ghost 6 is a full-feature release packed with upgrades:

• Native analytics suite: Real-time data on traffic, engagement, and conversion.
• Personalized content delivery: Tailor content to individual subscribers.
• Support for tips, donations, and multiple payment methods
• Branded newsletter customization

These enhancements aim to give creators and publishers greater control, monetization flexibility, and a more transparent view of their audience’s behavior.

New Pricing, More Value

Ghost has also adjusted its Pro (hosted) pricing:

• Starter plans now begin at $15/month, up from $9
• Creator plans start at $29/month, up from $25
  However, high-volume publishers will benefit from reduced per-subscriber costs, making Ghost more cost-effective at scale.

The Big Picture

Ghost 6 marks a significant step forward in empowering independent media. By combining strong editorial tools, real-time analytics, and deep integration with the decentralized web, Ghost is carving out a future where publishers can build audiences on their own terms—and far beyond the inbox.

As open social platforms rise in popularity and creators look for ethical alternatives to centralized tools, Ghost 6 offers a compelling, future-proof publishing solution.