News communication platform beehiiv announced on Thursday a comprehensive upgrade to its platform, introducing new features such as real-time analytics, AI website creation, podcast hosting, and digital product sales, aiming to allow creators to complete the entire closed loop from content production to monetization on one platform.

In a video release, co-founder and CEO of beehiiv, Tyler Denk, emphasized that "ownership" is the core competitiveness in the era of creators. "Control your audience, distribution channels, brand, and even revenue potential. In the age of artificial intelligence and algorithms, this is not just an advantage but a necessity," Denk said. The company hopes to empower creators and journalists with greater autonomy, allowing them to independently build, manage, and expand their businesses.

AI robot playing games

The core features of this expansion include:

1. Digital Products and Merchandise Sales (No Commission)

Creators can directly sell digital content like e-books on the platform, and in the future, it will also support courses and merchandise, with beehiiv promising no commission fees at all.

2. AI Website Creation (Can Generate Voice/Image)

Based on the AI website builder Typedream acquired last year, users can generate a complete website by chatting with AI, or drag and drop screenshots of other websites for the AI to automatically replicate the layout and style, without the need for coding or developers.

3. Podcast Hosting System

Creators can directly host and publish podcasts within beehiiv, integrating newsletters, websites, and podcasts into one platform, eliminating the complexity of managing across multiple platforms.

4. Real-Time Analytics and Growth Insights

New analytics tools can track user interactions, content performance, and traffic sources, and segment which channels contribute the most users.

5. Native "Bio Link" Tool

Creators can create a link page on beehiiv without using third-party services, showcasing all digital platforms and content entries.

6. Advanced Design Templates

Provide website and newsletter templates to ensure consistent brand visuals, making it more professional and beautiful.

7. Audience Segmentation Capabilities

Creators can group their audience by location, age, gender, etc., enabling more precise content delivery.

8. Automated Workflows

Includes automated functions like welcome emails for subscriptions, and beehiiv has started rolling out these features gradually.

9. Advertising Tools Upgrade

New advertising management panels allow uploading materials, setting budgets, and viewing estimated earnings; creators can track ad performance in real time and generate custom reports.

10. Paid Subscriptions (No Platform Commission)

beehiiv emphasizes that it is the "only platform that does not take a cut from subscription income," while also offering subscription tier management and analysis of paid users.

Denk said that with this expansion, beehiiv has upgraded from a single email platform to a "operating system for the creator economy," and will compete directly with platforms like Lovable, WordPress, and Patreon.

Founded in 2021, beehiiv claims its platform has sent over 35 billion emails, with 55,000 content creators, including Oliver Darcy, founder of Status. The company's latest funding round was a $33 million Series B investment in April 2024, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and NEA.