Ghost 6.0: Networked Publishing & Real-Time Analytics

Ghost has just launched its biggest update yet: Ghost 6.0. This release introduces powerful new tools like networked publishing and native real-time analytics, while also celebrating a major milestone — over $100 million earned by independent publishers.

If you run a blog, newsletter, or media business on Ghost, here’s everything you need to know about the update.

What’s New in Ghost 6.0?

Ghost 6.0 now integrates directly with the open social web. Thanks to ActivityPub support, your posts can be:

Discovered, followed, liked, and replied to across platforms like Mastodon, Bluesky, Threads, and Flipboard.
Shared seamlessly without depending on a single closed network.

This means your Ghost site becomes a hub for open publishing, letting readers interact with your work across their favorite platforms.

2. Built-In Analytics (No Third-Party Needed)

For the first time, Ghost includes native real-time analytics:

Track traffic, subscriptions, and newsletter performance directly inside your dashboard.
No need for external services like Google Analytics — insights are built right into Ghost.

This makes it much easier to understand your audience and refine your content strategy.

3. $100 Million Earned by Indie Publishers

Ghost proudly announced that its community of independent creators has now earned over $100 million through memberships and subscriptions.

To put that in perspective:

In 2022, Ghost publishers had earned around $10 million.
Just three years later, that number has exploded to $100M+.

This milestone proves that independent publishing isn’t just alive — it’s thriving.

4. A Modern Developer Stack

Ghost 6.0 also upgrades its technical foundation for better performance and long-term support:

Node.js v22 required (older versions deprecated).
MySQL 8 is now the production standard.
Ubuntu 24 + Docker Compose recommended for self-hosting.

If you’re managing your own Ghost installation, these changes ensure a faster, more stable environment.

5. Breaking Changes to Know Before Upgrading

If you’re planning an upgrade, take note of these important changes:

API pagination is now limited to 100 items (?limit=all deprecated).
AMP support has been fully removed.
Deprecated database fields like created_by and updated_by are gone (use the actions table).
Admin API session endpoint has been replaced with GET /ghost/api/admin/users/me/.

Run gscan before updating to check your theme for compatibility.

Should You Upgrade to Ghost 6.0?

Ghost(Pro) users: Yes — all new features are live and ready.
Self-hosted users: Proceed carefully. Some features (like analytics and ActivityPub) are still rolling out for Docker environments. Waiting for v6.1 may be a safer option if you rely on custom setups.

Final Thoughts

Ghost 6.0 represents a huge leap forward for independent publishing. With networked distribution, built-in analytics, and a community milestone of $100M earned, Ghost continues to prove itself as the best CMS for creators who want freedom, ownership, and growth.

👉 Want to try it out? Check the official Ghost 6.0 changelog here.