Another Change to the Way Medium Pays Its Writers

Summary

Medium has updated its payment model for writers, shifting from a read-time-based system to one focused on engagement metrics, which includes factors like claps, highlights, and replies, regardless of individual member reading habits.

Abstract

Medium's new payment model for writers, which was implemented in August, no longer relies solely on the amount of time members spend reading. Instead, it is now based on a set of engagement metrics. These metrics include the time spent reading or listening to a story, the number of engagement points a story receives (which are determined by claps, highlights, replies, and new followers), a follower bonus for stories by writers or publications a member already follows, a boost bonus for promoted stories, and an adjustment based on the percentage of members who read a story for at least 30 seconds. This shift from read time to engagement aims to reward writers for the quality of interaction their content generates, potentially benefiting those with networks that engage heavily with their work. However, it may disadvantage writers in niche areas who previously benefited from dedicated readers.

Opinions

The author, Susie Kearley, suggests that the previous system, which was based on individual reading habits, may have been more beneficial for writers with niche audiences.
Kearley believes that the new system, which emphasizes engagement, could favor writers who are part of a network of readers that actively engage with each other's content.
The change in Medium's payment model is seen as a move away from valuing the quantity of content consumed by individual members to valuing the quality of engagement with the content.
The author implies that the new system might incentivize members to engage in "read-for-read" arrangements to increase engagement points.
Kearley's perspective indicates that stories with high engagement are likely to earn more and have a better chance of being boosted, which could be seen as a positive development for writers who can create resonant content.

It has nothing to do with quality

A few days ago, I discovered something significant. Remember when Medium’s pay was calculated by read time only? It meant that a member who read voraciously would have their fee split between writers based on reading time, resulting in a couple of cents being paid out here and there to each of the writers they’d supported.

But if a member read just one article a month, their whole month’s fee would go to that writer (less Medium fees, obviously). This meant that how much each writer earned depended a lot upon the reading habits of their audience. Niche audiences were probably worth more.

In August that changed. According to Medium’s helpdesk, all member reads are now equal, whether they come from someone who reads a little or a lot. The factors affecting the payout are all about engagement, not about how much (or how little) individual members are reading on the platform.

The new system has big benefits for those writers who read a lot if they have a network of people who do the same. When members reciprocate, it adds to the total engagement score — and Medium’s earnings are now all about that engagement score!

But it might mean some people who write in niches are not doing as well as they once did.

How I broached the question

I summed up how the old system worked, then asked Medium: “Does the new approach to writer earnings still vary based on how many articles a reader reads, or is it all just thrown into a bigger pot now and paid out based on engagement, regardless of readers’ individual reading habits?”

Medium replied…

“These are the only 5 elements for earnings:

1.How long members spend reading or listening to your story As Medium members spend more time reading or listening to your story, you will earn more. These two elements are combined to generate the “member reading time” metric. 2. Engagement points This is calculated based on read/listening time, the number of people who clapped, highlighted, and replied to your story, as well as the number of people who followed you for the first time after reading your story. 3. Follower bonus A multiplier on top of the engagement points when the member reading your story currently follows you or the publication this story is published in. 4. Boost bonus A multiplier of engagement points when the story is Boosted. 5. Member read ratio adjustment The % of members who read your story for 30 seconds or more on the given day will adjust the value of all the points earned either up or down. So yes, you are correct.”

I believe this confirms that a reader’s individual reading habits no longer make a difference to writers’ earnings. The driving factor is engagement, and read time is just a part of that — but it’s less significant than it once was.

A member’s reading habits (prolific or occasional) no longer define the value of their individual reads. This change incentivises members to engage in read-for-read arrangements. It also means stories that resonate with readers, so have high engagement, should earn well and are more likely to be boosted.