A Medium Situation Currently Creating a Big Writing Problem

There's currently a situation on the Medium platform that is creating a big problem for writers, regarding their earnings and their membership roles in 2026.

As a five-year-long writer and member of the Medium community, I feel like I'm more than adequately qualified to talk about this issue.

Just in case the above image looks slightly familiar to anyone; I posted it with a Gumroad story, written on the same topic.

[FYI: I designed it using Chatgpt, like I describe in my "Me and AI" guide.]

I've actually been so determined to make my voice heard on this issue, that I also published similar stories on my Substack, Kofi, and even Quora profiles.

By the way...

• For those who don't already realize it, the resources Kofi offers writers are really worth looking into. Among them is the ability to publish full length blog posts on the platform, via your profile.

• The same thing is true about Gumroad, for all you content creators who may currently have products on sale in their global marketplace. On that platform also, you're allowed to take advantage of posting articles and blog posts on your Gumroad profile page.

Now, back to the subject at hand, which is what exactly is happening on the Medium website that is so distressing and unfair to writers?

The issue is plain and simple; writers on Medium are being required to do everything but write.

How so?

As the original story I first published on this topic stated:

"Our newest and greatest mission from their perspective, is to go outside the platform and use every bit of influence at your disposal, to bring back new recruits who will become members and learn to do the exact same thing."

But don't take my word for it.

Do a Google search about Medium and see for yourself just how many articles and content speaking negative about the platform will come up, typically posted by disgruntled writers.

Notice what I go on to state in my story titled: Have You Heard these Important Facts About Your Monthly Medium Earnings and New Membership Role Requirements?

"Make no mistake about it, Medium’s latest model now depends on the writer’s ability to bring new eyeballs to the website, by using SEO, smart distribution strategies, and performing creative article linking and marketing activities."

As challenging as it might be to some of us writers, not everyone is interested in trying to learn, refresh, or enhance their knowledge of these type of online activities. Most of us just want to write!

So, that raises the question...

What happens when writers are required to do more than just write?

The answer to the above question is dependent on who you ask and what concessions they may be willing to make.

In the case of Medium writers who are required to do more than write if they want to earn any money on the platform; those who decide not to comply simply won't earn any money.

And that is precisely what's happening on the Medium website.

Most writers are barely earning enough to cover their monthly membership, even those who don't have the $15 upgraded Friend of Medium status.

What's probably the most distasteful thing about the entire situation is the fact that the majority of writers on Medium don't even get it. They still think it' all about trying to provide quality writing, but it's not.

This is what led me to write and share the story I posted all over the internet today. At the very least, this gives lots of food for thought to those writers who work so hard to offer their best work to the Medium platform.

Final Thoughts

Since the last thing I want to do is crush another writer's spirit, I ended my insightful story about Medium with some solid advice to those who stuck around and felt inclined to take it.

I suggested:

"Learn how to craft stories that target queries typically made by Google searchers. In other words, stop writing for Medium readers and write for themed topics that get searched for often on Google."

It may not be what those of us who just want to write are trying to hear right now, but it's currently the reality of things on Medium.

You never know - the situation might just change at some point. If it's one thing Medium is good at and known for doing it's changing.

...But then again, on Medium, that's not always a good thing.

Thanks for reading.