'Subscribe Something' or 'Subscribe to Something'? Which One Is Correct? | Mastering Grammar

Subscribe or Subscribe To: Which One Is Correct?

Subscribe is an intransitive verb and therefore does not take a direct object. In other words, it is never followed immediately by a noun or noun phrase. It is used with the preposition to to specify the object of the subscription:

✅ Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel.
❌ Don't forget to subscribe my YouTube channel.

✅ He subscribes to several newspapers.
❌ He subscribes several newspapers.

✅ To read the full story, subscribe to our free podcast.
❌ To read the full story, subscribe our free podcast.

✅ Which magazines do you subscribe to?
❌ Which magazines do you subscribe?

It is important to note that subscribe is not always followed by to. If the context is clear and the object of the subscription is implied, subscribe can stand alone: 

✅ Don't forget to subscribe if you enjoyed the video.
❌ Don't forget to subscribe to if you enjoyed the video.

✅ If you like my channel, please subscribe.
❌ If you like my channel, please subscribe to.

✅ Thank you for reading our report. Please subscribe for more updates.
❌ Thank you for reading our report. Please subscribe to for more updates.

✅ They have decided to subscribe after the free trial.
❌ They have decided to subscribe to after the free trial.

The entry for the verb subscribe (sense 1) in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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Examples from the Media

If you want to know more about Analog Sea, you can subscribe to their newsletter — by snail mail, of course, although you can get their address by going to analogsea.com. —Toronto Star (2023)

His name? Troye Sivan Mellet, although the 2.38 million fans who subscribe to his YouTube channel, his 1.6 million Twitter followers and his 900,000 Facebook fans know him better — just as you will as of now — as Troye Sivan. —The Sydney Morning Herald (2014)

I discovered the Guardian, in Auckland, New Zealand when we went into our first strict lockdown last March/April. I had worked as a proofreader for a daily newspaper for decades. Also I had just retired and had booked a big holiday in the UK for June-July which of course was cancelled due to the pandemic. So I jumped online and subscribed to the Guardian (and New York Times and also the Washington Post). I quickly realised my absolute favourite was the Guardian and I've been reading it every day for over a year now. —The Guardian (2021)

The Washington Post is the first major national newspaper with a digital subscription service available on +play, which is Verizon's one-stop-shop to subscribe and save on over 30 subscription services across entertainment, gaming, music, wellness and more. —The Washington Post (2023)

Practice

Fill in the blanks with either subscribe or subscribe to.

1. I ________ a newsletter.

2. ________ now to get early access.

3. Don't forget to ________ for updates!

4. If you enjoy our content, please ________.

5. They ________ music streaming services.

6. We ________ a daily news digest.

Answer Key

1. subscribe to    2. Subscribe    3. subscribe    4. subscribe    5. subscribe to    6. subscribe to