Substack newsletters
Substack Reader Testimonials Without Embed Code
Substack’s own guide to its editor tells writers to paste a link for embeds and warns that embed code will not work. That rules out a testimonial widget on Substack, StoryProof’s included. Substack does suggest reader testimonials, though: its advice on polishing an About page lists compliments from subscribers, with permission when they were given privately. Approved quotes typed onto that page, plus a button to the full set, are the honest route.
- Why widget code does not work on Substack
- Approved reader quotes on your About page
- A custom button to your Wall of Love
Copy into Substack
About page, post button and the ask
Substack takes no embed code, so the widget id field above has no effect. Copy each card into the Substack screen it names and replace the bracketed parts with an approved quote and your StoryProof links.
Part 1 · About page testimonials
Dashboard › Settings › About page
About page section (Settings › About page)
What readers say
> "[approved reader testimonial, word for word from StoryProof]"
> [reader name or the description they agreed to, e.g. "Product manager, Leeds"]
More from readers: [your StoryProof Wall of Love link]Part 2 · A button inside a post
Post editor › Buttons… › custom button
Custom button in a post (toolbar › Buttons… › custom button)
Button text: Read what subscribers say
Link: [your StoryProof Wall of Love link]Part 3 · Asking readers for one
End of a post, or a second custom button
Line for the end of an issue, or a second custom button
Has this newsletter helped you? Leave a short video, voice note or written
review here: [your StoryProof collection link]Publish or save, then open your publication as a logged out visitor and click each link. The Wall of Love and the collection page should open in the browser.
Text templates only. Nothing you type here is stored.
The problem, solved
Reader proof on Substack: the routes that work
StoryProof normally installs as a div and a script. Substack accepts neither, so these fixes use its About page, quotes and buttons.
- Problem 1
The widget code does nothing here
Substack’s editor guide says to paste a link for embeds and that embed code will not work. The StoryProof widget is embed code.
How StoryProof solves it
Every StoryProof plan includes a hosted Wall of Love with its own link, which a Substack custom button can open.
- Problem 2
Quoting a reader’s private reply
Substack itself advises getting permission before publishing a compliment that was made in private.
How StoryProof solves it
Ask readers to submit through StoryProof, where nothing is public until you approve it, then quote only approved testimonials.
- Problem 3
Readers would rather say it out loud
A busy subscriber will not write a paragraph, but might leave thirty seconds of audio.
How StoryProof solves it
One StoryProof link takes a video, an audio note or a written review in the browser, and audio plays on the Wall of Love.
- Problem 4
Meeting readers at events, not online
Talks, meetups and workshops are where readers say the nicest things, and the moment passes.
How StoryProof solves it
Your StoryProof collection link can be shared by hand or printed as a QR code for a slide or a table card.
In StoryProof
Put reader testimonials on Substack
Step 1 of 4
Collect a few with permission
Send your collection link to readers who have replied warmly, and approve the ones you want to show.
Step 2 of 4
Edit the About page
Substack says the About page is edited from your publication’s Settings. Add a short What readers say section with two or three approved quotes and the Wall of Love link.
Step 3 of 4
Add a button to posts
In the post editor, open the Buttons… menu in the toolbar and add a custom button that opens your Wall of Love.
Step 4 of 4
Ask at the end of an issue
Close the occasional issue with the third card, so new testimonials keep arriving without a separate campaign.
Which Substack surface for which job
Before you start
Limits on Substack
No embedded widget
Substack’s editor guide says embed code will not work. No StoryProof widget can appear in a Substack post or page.
Not a supported embed
Substack lists the services it embeds from a pasted link, such as YouTube, Vimeo and Spotify. StoryProof is not on that list, so its links stay plain links or buttons.
About page editor not documented
Substack’s About page advice does not say which editor tools the page offers. If buttons are missing there, use a plain text link.
Substack guides as of 2026-11-14
The embed rules, buttons and About page advice come from Substack’s own guides on on.substack.com as read on 2026-11-14. Its help centre returned an access error. These steps have not been tried on a live publication.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Short answers to what usually comes up next.
Can I paste the StoryProof embed into Substack’s HTML?
Substack’s editor guide says embed code will not work and that you should paste links. There is no HTML route we can recommend.
Will the button show in the email version of a post?
Substack’s editor guide does not say how buttons appear in email. Send yourself a test email and click the button before you publish.
How many quotes should the About page carry?
Two or three short ones read well. Send readers to the Wall of Love for the rest rather than turning the About page into a list.
Is the Wall of Love on every StoryProof plan?
Yes. Every plan includes a Wall of Love with its own link.
Still have a question? Ask the StoryProof team or book a demo.
Show new visitors why readers stay subscribed
Collect and approve reader testimonials in StoryProof, then link them from your Substack.
Sources
- How to use the Substack editor, Substack (On Substack). Checked 2026-11-14.
- How to polish your publication’s About page, Substack (On Substack). Checked 2026-11-14.
Last updated 2026-11-14.