The $28 Million Signal
Yesterday, Beehiiv CEO Tyler Denk dropped a massive update in an exclusive with Reuters that essentially validates the entire creator economy for 2026.
The headline?
Beehiiv hit $28 Million in revenue in 2025.
The goal?
$50 Million in 2026.
But if you look past the vanity metrics, there is a hidden data point in this announcement that completely changes how you should be building your newsletter this year.
Let’s break it down.
The Scoreboard: By The Numbers
For the data nerds like me, here is the snapshot of where the platform stands as of January 2026:
2025 Revenue: $28 Million (Doubled YoY).
Monthly Run Rate: ~$2.3 Million/month.
Ad Network Payouts: Currently generating ~$1 Million/month for creators.
The 2026 Target: $3 Million/month in ad payouts by year-end.
Why this matters for SEO & Stability: When a platform hits this level of cash flow, the risk of them "pulling a Twitter" (changing the algo overnight or shutting down) drops significantly. Beehiiv has the war chest to stay independent.
The Shift: "Subs" Are Out, "Ads" Are In
The most interesting part of the announcement wasn't the total revenue—it was where the money is coming from.
For years, the newsletter game (popularized by Substack) was simple:
Write free content → Beg people to upgrade to Paid → Hope 5% convert.
That model is dying.
Beehiiv’s data shows a massive pivot toward The Ad Network Model. They are currently paying out $1 million every month to creators via ads. By the end of this year, they expect that to triple to $3 million/month.
What This Means For You:
You no longer need to gate your best work behind a paywall to make money.
Open the Gates: Keep your content free to maximize your subscriber count.
Let the Big Dogs Pay: Use the Ad Network to let brands (like HubSpot, Notion, etc.) subsidize your work.
The "Roo" Strategy: I’m keeping my content 90% free this year because views are now a currency that can be exchanged for ad dollars instantly.
3 Steps to Ride This Wave in 2026
If you are building on Beehiiv or thinking about switching, here is your playbook based on this news:
1. Turn on "Boosts" Immediately If you aren't using Boosts, you are leaving free money on the table. This is the fastest way to grow your list and get paid for recommending others.
2. Stop Obsessing Over "Paid Conversions" In 2026, a free subscriber is more valuable than ever. If you have 1,000 free readers with a 45% open rate, you are now a prime target for the Ad Network. Focus on retention, not just upselling.
3. Watch the "Digital Products" Space Tyler teased that digital products (courses, ebooks) are the next frontier. The platforms winning in 2026 will be "All-in-One." Expect Beehiiv to push this hard in Q2.
The Creator Economy isn't shrinking, it's professionalizing.
Beehiiv hitting $28M isn't just a win for their investors, it's a signal that email remains the most profitable real estate on the internet.
Are you bullish on the Ad model, or are you sticking to Paid Subs? Reply and let me know.
Until next time, Roo
