From Medium's clear stance against AI and scrubbing fake accounts to "farm" groups on Facebook and sharing links. Insights from top writer Walter Rhein.
Very clear discussion of what Medium is up to. If I weren't so busy with Substack and other projects, the article made me want to jump on Medium immediately.
It's especially nice to see Medium taking a stand against AI writing. It's too bad every website doesn't do that.
Imo, Medium didn't reach 1M members because of its Boost Program. It's not as if after August 2023 Medium writers had an epiphany and started producing top-quality content that made readers flock to the platform — if anything, many great writers left (or started using Medium to promote other things), and AI content flourished.
In truth, Medium reached 1M members because in July 2023 (one month before), its paywalled stories became...truly paywalled. In July 2023, Medium made a silent change to the metering system — before this change, readers could read any story with a few tricks (clearing cookies, incognito windows, etc.). After July 2023, the party was over — the only way to read a paywalled story is to become a paying member. So naturally, people had no choice but to pay.
So far, so good, and in my opinion, this was a brilliant move by Medium. The real question is, what would have happened if the MPP formula didn't change — which slashed the earnings of most writers? For example, every great tech writer I know moved to another platform.
P.S.: The fact that entering MPP was also hinged on becoming a paying member also played a smaller role, albeit not so significant.
Interesting. I used to publish my articles on Medium but then my revenue collapsed below the monthly fee I paid, so I came to Substack. I don't understand why the use of AI generated images is forbidden? I use them when I can't find something on Unsplash and to avoid any copyright issues. DO you know why they are forbidden now?
I Googled something the other day and read the information which was helpful (not on Medium). I got to the end at it said AI generated. I was so disappointed. I am so happy that Medium are not allowing it.
I love connecting with real people and I agree that Medium and Substack are great places for that.
It really helps to update and upgrade on our own by changing ourselves periodically. Change is must and mandatory irrespective of age, gender, qualification, for that matter even size of an activity is applicable to all. It works like a guiding factor to evolve and appreciate our own performance. Better to plan well and implement it in an effective and efficient manner shows the path to create a roadmap.
The boost has ruined Medium for writers. My writing isn’t even seen by my followers now. It’s pay to play if you want to get boosted.
Also, Medium is not a supportive or kind community. I was bullied relentlessly until I had to unlist almost 200 stories. I hope they get new leadership.
Very clear discussion of what Medium is up to. If I weren't so busy with Substack and other projects, the article made me want to jump on Medium immediately.
It's especially nice to see Medium taking a stand against AI writing. It's too bad every website doesn't do that.
Imo, Medium didn't reach 1M members because of its Boost Program. It's not as if after August 2023 Medium writers had an epiphany and started producing top-quality content that made readers flock to the platform — if anything, many great writers left (or started using Medium to promote other things), and AI content flourished.
In truth, Medium reached 1M members because in July 2023 (one month before), its paywalled stories became...truly paywalled. In July 2023, Medium made a silent change to the metering system — before this change, readers could read any story with a few tricks (clearing cookies, incognito windows, etc.). After July 2023, the party was over — the only way to read a paywalled story is to become a paying member. So naturally, people had no choice but to pay.
So far, so good, and in my opinion, this was a brilliant move by Medium. The real question is, what would have happened if the MPP formula didn't change — which slashed the earnings of most writers? For example, every great tech writer I know moved to another platform.
P.S.: The fact that entering MPP was also hinged on becoming a paying member also played a smaller role, albeit not so significant.
Interesting. I used to publish my articles on Medium but then my revenue collapsed below the monthly fee I paid, so I came to Substack. I don't understand why the use of AI generated images is forbidden? I use them when I can't find something on Unsplash and to avoid any copyright issues. DO you know why they are forbidden now?
Brilliant Kristina, as always. I love Medium.
I Googled something the other day and read the information which was helpful (not on Medium). I got to the end at it said AI generated. I was so disappointed. I am so happy that Medium are not allowing it.
I love connecting with real people and I agree that Medium and Substack are great places for that.
What drove me away from Medium is the “top writer” philosophy. It is not level.
It really helps to update and upgrade on our own by changing ourselves periodically. Change is must and mandatory irrespective of age, gender, qualification, for that matter even size of an activity is applicable to all. It works like a guiding factor to evolve and appreciate our own performance. Better to plan well and implement it in an effective and efficient manner shows the path to create a roadmap.
Thanks for sharing this, Kristina and Walter. It's good that Medium has become profitable.
Also I feel that the exclusion of AI-generated writing will be a big benefit to those writers who write genuine stories.
The boost has ruined Medium for writers. My writing isn’t even seen by my followers now. It’s pay to play if you want to get boosted.
Also, Medium is not a supportive or kind community. I was bullied relentlessly until I had to unlist almost 200 stories. I hope they get new leadership.