Paste the takedown notice you got on Substack and get an instant read — legitimate, questionable, or likely fake — with the missing legal elements and what to do next.
🔒 We don't store your notice.
How Substack handles copyright takedowns
Substack removes posts on valid DMCA notices and repeat claims can affect a publication, and fraudulent notices are sometimes used to silence writers or critics. Substack supports counter-notifications for wrongful takedowns; a valid notice must identify the specific work and a verifiable rights-holder under §512.
Signs a Substack copyright notice is fake
No specific copyrighted work is identified — just a general infringement claim.
Sender is unverifiable or anonymous, possibly someone you wrote about.
Missing the penalty-of-perjury and authorization statements.
Urgency, threats, or a settlement demand instead of a clean takedown.
What to do about a Substack takedown
Confirm the takedown came from Substack rather than a direct email.
Run the notice through the checker above to see what's missing.
File a Substack counter-notification if the claim is invalid.
Keep drafts, sources, and any licenses as evidence for the appeal.
Substack copyright FAQ
Can a fake DMCA take down my Substack post?
Yes — DMCA notices can remove posts, and false ones are used to silence writers. If the notice names no real work and the sender is unverifiable, it may be abuse you can counter.
How do I counter a Substack DMCA takedown?
Submit a counter-notification through Substack stating a good-faith belief the post was removed in error; it can be restored if the claimant doesn't pursue legal action.