Chapter 1: Frustrations with Medium

I've found myself echoing the sentiments of many other writers who are discontent with Medium. Recently, I stumbled upon multiple narratives where authors voiced their frustrations about the platform. These accounts are insightful—not merely complaints about a poor earnings month, though those concerns are valid too.

For me, generating income through Medium was never the primary objective. This isn’t due to a sense of privilege; rather, I've always prioritized the craft of writing and my commitment to consistency. By remaining dedicated to any endeavor, positive outcomes are likely to follow, whether immediately evident or not.

Consequently, I won’t delve into my earnings from Medium. While I've enjoyed a few remarkable months, most have been rather average. Any writer familiar with Medium understands that it’s unwise to depend on it as a reliable income stream. On a positive note, after a year and a half of contributing, I’ve garnered several thousand followers.

However, I have additional grievances.

There’s something unsettling about Medium these days. Metrics like views, reads, and curated stories seem to be declining. I used to frequently see notifications stating that my work was "selected for further distribution," but that has become a rarity. It’s been months since any of my pieces received curation. While I initially didn’t fully grasp the significance of curation or how it benefited me, it was reassuring to know that Medium's editorial team was engaging with my work and occasionally endorsing it. Although I don’t need validation to write, that sense of community among writers, readers, and editors seems to have vanished. Now, the platform feels like a barren landscape filled with strangers and arbitrary interactions. The rise of AI also complicates matters; I often come across headlines in the self-improvement genre that lack authenticity.

Subjectively, I perceive Medium as a town in decline—aging in an undesirable manner. It feels less vibrant, less populated, and stagnant. The older content isn’t being refreshed, and there’s no new development. The inhabitants go about their daily routines, collecting paychecks, yet there’s a lingering struggle and a fading joy for life. They seem to be deteriorating, their surroundings crumbling, while newcomers appear to be mere shadows of themselves, often reliant on AI-generated content.

I can’t recall the last time Medium introduced a feature that genuinely impressed me. It would be acceptable if I simply didn’t like the new feature; we often grow accustomed to the status quo, making change hard to embrace. However, the platform has grown stagnant. I’ve been writing diligently since October 2021, producing over six hundred stories.

This brings me back to the subject of earnings. Writers feel undercompensated, the reward system lacks clarity, and the platform seems devoid of innovation. While Medium operates as a private entity, limiting my entitlement to insight into its financial distribution, the overall impression remains that community spirit is lacking. It reminds me of a scene from the film Mad Max, where water is rationed among a desperate crowd.

Chapter 2: Seeking Transparency and Community

Perhaps my Mad Max analogy is misplaced. It’s possible that Medium is itself facing hardships due to broader market trends. However, the absence of communication from Medium to its writers and readers leaves us in the dark, fostering frustration.

Might it be beneficial for Medium to embrace a more welcoming and genuine approach, akin to Trader Joe’s in the retail sector? A place where employees are content, leading to satisfied customers. But who am I to offer suggestions on strategy or business models?

Despite these challenges, I’ll persist in my writing journey. Still, something feels amiss...

If you enjoy running, consider checking out my Substack, "Love Letters to Running."

I’ve recently revived my Substack publication, "Alexei’s Eclectic." It’s not intended as a replacement for my Medium contributions but serves as a more personal space for weekly reflections. Feel free to explore and join if it piques your interest. Thank you!