Once they popped up a "Let's make it official!" thing that wanted me to create an account, because apparently I can't read text over HTTP without handing over my name, email address and manage a password.
I also found the amount of trackers disgusting.
I don't click Substack[0] links anymore, because it's the new Medium
javascript:(function() { window.location.replace( document.URL.replace( document.location.host,'scribe.rip') )})()
What we really need is a bookmarklet that changes all found links to Medium articles instead, so you run it before you click. Or extension that does it automatically.
They don't if you are aggressively blocking their cookies and trackers. They can get what, a page view and an IP address? If that is enough for them to make money out of the thing, then let them.