Who are the most influential voices in Writing online?
Key takeaway
The engines put James Clear, Tim Denning, David Perell or Paul Graham first, so they offer no settled ranking. Where support is supplied, it emphasizes online reach, writing education and newsletter influence. The lists overlap on digital writers and writing educators, but shared reasoning is limited. Copilot points to platform reach and teaching credentials, while Gemini cites newsletter recommendations; ChatGPT and Google AI Mode do not explain their rankings.
Mostly agree
Nicolas Cole belongs among the top 10.
Tim Denning belongs among the top 10.
Brandon Sanderson ranks 3.
Where they differ
Who ranks first
James Clear’s relative influence
Which kinds of writing voices receive emphasis
Verdict
David Perell is the leading pick, ranked first by ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode. James Clear and Tim Denning are each named by three engines, and Copilot dissents with a different list that does not name Perell.
What engines actually searched
The sub-queries each engine actually searched before answering.
Cited, but not mentioned
9 sites cite this answer without naming anyone
Full responses
5 of 5 engines that answered. Full stored text as captured, with dashes shown as hyphens. Nothing is summarised.
- James Clear
- Margaret Atwood
- David Perell
- George Saunders
- Seth Godin
- Ryan Holiday
- Anne Lamott
- Steven Pressfield
- Maria Popova
- Alex Elle
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Gemini877 characters · October 7, 2026-
David Perell 4 Best Writing Newsletters in 2026
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Austin Kleon 4 Best Writing Newsletters in 2026
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Nicolas Cole
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Dickie Bush
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Tim Denning
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Ann Handley
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Seth Godin Top Newsletters For Writers & Creative Folks - Alex Cespedes
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Paul Jarvis
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James Clear
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Joanna Penn
David Perell , Nicolas Cole , and Dickie Bush lead the online writing space as the most prominent voices shaping how people write and build audiences on the internet.
Here are the top 10 individual people who are the most influential voices on writing online, ranked from most to least influential:
- ** David Perell**
- ** Nicolas Cole**
- ** Dickie Bush**
- ** Tim Denning**
- ** Justin Welsh**
- Josh Spector
- ** Ann Handley**
- Stratechery Ben (Ben Thompson)
- Kio Stark
- ** James Clear** I Made $5,000,000+ by Writing Online - Here Are 10 LessonsLessons from Tim Denning: My Favourite Online Writer4 ways to get instant content ideas (that actually work)The Power of the Average Person in Influencer MarketingMeet Dickie Bush, the 25-year-old finance pro launching a20 best writers/creators I've found in 2025David Perell & Write of Passage: Cohort Course Template
Would you like me to share their primary platforms (such as specific newsletters, courses, or social channels) or core teaching frameworks for each of these writers?
David Perell Seth Godin Ann Handley Austin Kleon James Clear Nicolas Cole Nat Eliason Paul Graham Ryan Holiday Shane Parrish
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Copilot3,997 characters · October 7, 2026Here’s a ranked list of the top 10 most influential individual voices in online writing today (2025), based on their reach, impact, and authority across platforms like Medium, podcasts, YouTube, and broader digital creator spaces:
📖 Top 10 Influential Voices in Online Writing (2025)
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Tim Denning – Dominant on Medium, known for bold, emotionally honest writing on discipline, storytelling, and personal growth.✍️ Top 7 Medium Writers to Follow in 2025 | by Thisaru Thiwanka | Medium
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Joanna Penn – Bestselling author and host of The Creative Penn podcast, a leading voice in digital publishing and writing education.The Ultimate Guide to Top Writing Podcasts and YouTube Channels: Your 2025 Roadmap to Mastering the Craft - VTVindex - Content writing guides for topics and more
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Brandon Sanderson – Hugely influential fantasy author who shares writing craft insights via lectures and online platforms.The Ultimate Guide to Top Writing Podcasts and YouTube Channels: Your 2025 Roadmap to Mastering the Craft - VTVindex - Content writing guides for topics and more
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Nicolas Cole – Co-founder of Ship 30 for 30, teaches digital writing as a skill, widely followed for content strategy.✍️ Top 7 Medium Writers to Follow in 2025 | by Thisaru Thiwanka | Medium
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Ayodeji Awosika – Popular Medium writer focused on self-improvement, productivity, and emotional intelligence.✍️ Top 7 Medium Writers to Follow in 2025 | by Thisaru Thiwanka | Medium
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Jessica Wildfire – Known for fearless, thought-provoking essays on culture, education, and identity.✍️ Top 7 Medium Writers to Follow in 2025 | by Thisaru Thiwanka | Medium
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Sinem Günel – Writing coach and strategist, influential on Medium for teaching systems to grow personal brands.✍️ Top 7 Medium Writers to Follow in 2025 | by Thisaru Thiwanka | Medium
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Zulie Rane – Freelance writer and educator, widely respected for honest, practical advice on monetizing writing online.✍️ Top 7 Medium Writers to Follow in 2025 | by Thisaru Thiwanka | Medium
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Mel Robbins – Bestselling author and digital creator, influential in self-improvement and motivational writing online.TIME Reveals the Inaugural TIME100 Creators List of the World's Most Influential Digital Voices
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Jay Shetty – Former monk turned bestselling author and digital storyteller, shaping online writing around mindfulness and purpose.TIME Reveals the Inaugural TIME100 Creators List of the World's Most Influential Digital Voices
✅ This ranking blends Medium’s top writers, YouTube/podcast educators, and digital creators recognized by TIME100 - all of whom are shaping how writing is practiced and consumed online in 2025.
Would you like me to also break down what platforms each of these voices dominates (Medium, YouTube, podcasts, etc.) so you can see where their influence is strongest?