New ways to write and read on Medium

Summary

Medium has introduced a new writing feature at the top of the homepage that simplifies the writing process, allowing for untitled and flexible-length posts, alongside a redesigned stream layout for easier reading and navigation.

Abstract

Medium is enhancing the writing and reading experience on its platform. The new writing feature, located at the top of the Medium homepage, is designed to capture spontaneous ideas without the need for a title or worrying about post length. This feature also allows users to expand their draft into a full Medium post if they desire. Additionally, Medium has updated the appearance of streams on the homepage, profile pages, and tag pages, integrating shorter posts directly into the stream for immediate reading. Longer posts can be accessed in full by clicking "Continue reading." Profile pages now showcase a featured or most recommended post at the top, followed by a stream of the author's work, facilitating better discovery and engagement with an author's content.

Opinions

Medium acknowledges that the traditional writing process can be hindered by the pressure of crafting a title or developing a fully formed idea, which can deter potential writers.
The platform emphasizes the importance of capturing ideas quickly and without constraints, suggesting that not all ideas require a formal title to be valuable or engaging.
Medium's design philosophy appears to prioritize flexibility and ease of use, allowing writers to transition from a quick thought to a more developed piece seamlessly.
The redesign of streams aims to improve the reading experience by integrating shorter content directly into the stream, while still providing access to more substantial articles.
Medium values user feedback and encourages writers and readers to share their thoughts on the new features, indicating a commitment to continuous improvement based on community input.

New ways to write and read on Medium

Here at Medium, we’re always striving to make it easier for you to share your stories and ideas — but sometimes things get in the way.

Perhaps your idea isn’t yet fully formed. Maybe you haven’t figured out a title, or you think the idea in your head will feel short and out of place, so you never even start writing.

A new way to write

Today we’re rolling out a simple new writing experience that lives at the top of your Medium homepage. With this new editor, you can easily capture that thought when lightning strikes and share it with the world in one click.

Ideas don’t always need a title to stand on their own, so titles aren’t required here. Formatting options are simpler, and there are no limits on how short or long your post can be.

Not yet ready to publish, need more time, or need more space? Just click the expand icon to take your writing to the full Medium editor and publish whenever you’re ready.

A new look for streams

We’re also launching a new look for streams on your homepage, profile, and the new tag pages.

Shorter posts, like the ones you might write at the top of your homepage, appear right in-line where you can instantly start reading. If you like what you read, you can recommend and share directly from the stream. Click Continue reading to jump out of the stream and read longer posts.

Profile: A stream of all your writing

The stream also brings a new level of discovery to profile pages, making them easier to browse and navigate.

At the top of the profile you’ll find a featured or most recommended post, followed by an ongoing stream of all of author’s writing. Just like on the homepage, you can read the shorter stuff in-line, or click Continue reading to visit the longer stories.

Scroll down the page to go back and time in find more writing and recommendations from the author.

As always, we’d love to hear from you and know what you think. Respond to this post below, or get in touch. For more on writing and streams, read Ev’s post — A Less Long, More Connected Medium.