Medium publications analysis
Find the best Medium health publications for your writing in 2024
I crunched the data to show how the publications are performing
You’ve crafted your article, and now you must decide which Medium publication to pitch it to. Where should you start?
Keep reading because, by the end of this post, you’ll know.
But first, do we need to worry about finding a publication for our articles?
Do you need to place your article in a publication?
For the period I reviewed, just 19% of articles with a ‘Health’ tag were in publications. Have the majority got it right? Do publications matter?
Let’s see.
I looked back over the archive of articles tagged with ‘Health.’
Almost half of the articles outside publications receive no claps, and almost three-quarters get no comments.
In contrast, all the articles I looked at in publications received claps, and more than 60% received comments.
That tells us that a large proportion of articles outside publications are ignored.
If we look at the number of claps and comments articles receive, the difference is again plain to see.
Don’t be put off by the graph. There’s lots of information here.
For articles not in a publication, half get one clap or less, and half get no comments.
Half of the articles in publications get 93 claps or more. Comments are still hard to come by, but half get more than one.
It’s clear, then, that if you want your articles to get views and engagement, you need them in a publication. But which one?
I was in the same position as you, wanting to get serious about my writing on Medium and unsure of the best home for it.
I found some helpful lists of Medium health publications, but it’s an ever-changing world, and none of the articles went into the detail I needed to help my decision-making. I decided to do a deep dive of my own.
Here’s what I found.
These results are a snapshot of the situation as it is now.
I found 18 active publications with a clear focus on health and open to outside writers. I also included six others that, whilst not health-focused, often contain health-related articles and are welcoming to new writers. These are useful comparisons and could be a good home for your writing.
Of course, things will change, and my sample was small. I counted the number of articles each publication posted in the last ten days and obtained more detailed stats from the most recent 20 posts.
Though the sampling is limited, it does give some helpful pointers.
The number of followers for each publication
There’s a wide spread in the number of followers, ranging from 55,000 for Invisible Illness to 11 for Wellspring Publications.
You should target the biggest, right?
Not necessarily. There are other factors to consider, like how active the publications are.
How active are the publications?
In my review, I found a number of publications with many followers and a great back catalogue of articles, but they had gone quiet, some for years. Those are not included here.
Of those currently active, there’s a broad range of activity, with Long. Sweet. Valuable. publishing 432 articles in a ten-day period, whilst Long COVID Connection, Menopause Matters, Mindful Mental Health and Penny Press published none.
There’s often just a loose connection between the number of followers and the publication rate. Contrast the sky-high followers of Invisible Illness with its more modest publication rate.
Should you target the most active?
Maybe not. I’m assuming you’d like people to read your article, and the best measure of that is engagement. So, let’s look at engagement.
The number of claps per article
The pattern changes significantly when we compare the number of claps articles receive in these publications.
You may be unfamiliar with box and whisker graphs, but they give us a great deal of information. Here’s a quick primer.
The graph shows us that, often, more narrowly focused publications, such as Long COVID Connection, Microbial Instincts and Menopause Matters, have more engagement than broader publications, such as New Writers Welcome. However, that’s not always the case — Alcohol is Not Your Friend, for example, is narrowly focused but has lower engagement.
Comments are more valuable than claps: they’re harder to squeeze out of readers! How do publications fare if we look at comments?
The number of comments per article
We have the same four leading the pack with the highest number of comments: Wise & Well, Long COVID Connection, Wellspring Publications and Microbial Instincts.
The height of the box and whiskers indicates the range.
For In Fitness and in Health, for example, you can be pretty sure your post will receive zero to six comments, whereas if you publish in Microbial Instincts, you have a 50:50 chance of getting between two and 31 comments with a one in four chance of getting up to 70.
Wise & Well is way ahead of the competition. It’s writers are mostly well respected with lots of followers.
In terms of engagement, Wellspring Publications punches above its weight. It’s only been around since late December 2023, so maybe it’s one to watch.
Bringing it all together
We’ve covered a lot of detail here, so let’s bring it together into a single chart you can stick to your fridge.
We’ll add one more essential consideration — the likelihood of you getting boosted.
This final graph combines four key pieces of information.
- More claps place a publication further to the right.
- More comments place a publication further toward the top.
- The size of the sphere represents the number of followers.
- Editors of publications listed in red have boosting privileges.
So, where should you publish?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
All things being equal, the closer to the top right of the diagram a publication sits, the more engagement your article is likely to receive.
However, it may also be more competitive to be accepted as a writer, and your article may compete for attention and boosts with deeply researched articles.
There may not be a clear answer here, but hopefully, it will give you a framework to think about the best fit for your writing.
To help with that decision, let’s finish with a look at each publication.
AINYF Alcohol is Not Your Friend
Strapline: This publication is for those ready to explore sobriety / alcohol-consciousness and create the life they’ve always wanted.
Followers: 3500
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Symptoms and Signs of Alcohol Addiction: Am I Addicted to Alcohol? When Eric Clapton and Al Pacino Made This One Simple Change Addiction Became a Thing of The Past The Mystery of Alcohol’s Brain Control: 5 Ways It Outsmarts Us Discover the Power of Sharing Your Sober Journey Like Ben Haggerty, aka Macklemore Did 10 Things to Do If You’re Worried About a Loved One’s Alcoholism 14 Signs You Might Have a Problem With Alcohol Warning: 15 Ways How Alcohol Affects Your Body How I Actually Quit Drinking, for Now and Forever Here’s Why You Should Take It Further Than Dry January What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol
Ankylosing Spondylitis & Spoonies
Strapline: A space for stories and poetry from warriors about their diseases, struggles, and successes
Followers: 23
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Brain Fog — Who Am I? Doctors and Medical Staff Improvement in Presbyopia and Pyopia — Relief in Eye Bulging, Dryness, Pain Side Body Pain Could be Due to Liver Stagnation Waging a War Within Sometimes I Feel Like I am Wasting My Life Maybe Tomorrow — Exhausted and Perpetually Tired Ankylosing Spondylitis: How to Manage Inflammation and Improve Quality of Life The Cause of Pure Agony — A Cough Pharmacy Decides for Patients & Doctors
Black Bear
Strapline: Mental health and addiction recovery stories
Followers: 927
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Depression in an Empty Room What the Heck Is a Sober or Recovery Coach? Why You Shouldn’t Be Scared of Therapy Hangovers Struggling with Sobriety? You Might be Sugar-Sensitive Never Pray for God to Give You Patience Magic Forests, Sober Parties and the Reality We Uncover 5 Ways to Stay Recovery-Motivated My Favorite Sober Gift Is Being Present Music That Has Helped My Mental Health the Most Better Gut Health Could Be The Key To Sobriety
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life
Strapline: Read short and uplifting articles here to help you shift your thought, so you can see real change in your life and health.
Followers: 26,000
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Quitting Meditation Helped Me Understand 80% of My Anxiety Do You Feel That Your Life Is On Hold? Black Seed Oil: Proven Health Benefits Chronic Pain: You Are Not Frail, Weak, Broken, Fragile, or Too Sensitive Perfection Makes You a Victim in Your Life Story Seven of the Best Ways to Eliminate Sugar Cravings Don’t Feel Bad If You Have to Start Over: My Strategy to Find Hope in Difficult Times 10 Habits That Are Damn Hard to Do, But Pay off Forever A Common, Costly Mistake That Stunts Spiritual Growth: A Faulty Awareness Bell Top 10 Yoga Poses I Tried for a Healthier Life
Crow’s Feet
Strapline: “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” (Frank Lloyd Wright) Non-fiction pieces, personal essays and occasional poems that explore how we feel about how we age and offer tips for getting the most out of life.
Followers: 8,600
Boosting powers? Yes
Latest 10 posts
Gaining Freedom as I Age — And How I Look at Losing It There Are No “Good” Kids and No “Bad” Kids I’m Moving To Another Country At Age 50 Because I Don’t Want Things To Be Easy A Virtual High School Reunion Rekindles 50 Years of Memories American Professor’s Tea-making Research Causes a Stir in the UK I Couldn’t Stand My Husband’s College Friends Make This One Simple Change in Old Age and Happiness Will Follow Navigating In And Out Of The Mystic Some Freedoms Lost, Many “Free-Froms” Found Do You Know What Gets Better With Age? Us!
Health Publication
Strapline: Publication about health for mind and body
Followers: 36
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Do You Suffer From Fibromyalgia Or Chronic Pain? Here’s One Treatment You Should not Dismiss The Rise of the Coconut in America Why I Wear Compression Socks When Traveling and Why You Should, Too! The New Magic Mushroom: The Science Behind Adaptogenic Mushrooms Soak Chia, Yoga — Working on your Mind, Body and Soul Black Box Warning & Informed Consent: Breast Implant Illness The Health Benefits of Dandelion: A Timeless Remedy Rediscovered Impact of Screen time on Heath Overcoming Surgery: Arm Yourself for Deeper Healing and Pain Options
In Fitness And In Health
Strapline: A vibrant community sharing science & experience-backed knowledge and advice for leading fitter, happier & healthier lives
Followers: 24,000
Boosting powers? Yes
Latest 10 posts
Do This to Drastically Increase Your Healthy Dopamine Levels The Inverse Morning Routine That Will Lead to Optimal Productivity Every Day The 3 Health & Fitness Things You Should Focus on if You’re Extremely Short on Time If You’re Starting to Feel Pain in Your Joints and Muscles, You’re Probably Missing Out on CARs The Best Prescription: Ten Powerful Ways Exercise Acts as Medicine The Breath Is the Back Door to the Heart (Via the Vagus Nerve) 9 Reasons We Can’t Get In Shape Even With ‘Amazing’ Programs Mastering Your Menstrual Journey: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Navigating Your Menstrual Cycle I Stopped Eating Sugar for 14 Days and This Happened to My Body Even If You Don’t Hit The Gym, Please Do These 3 Mobility Exercises To Protect Your Body
Invisible Illness
Strapline: Medium’s biggest mental health publication
Followers: 55,000
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Is the FDA Being a Good Gatekeeper? A Loved One’s Suicide Does Not Condemn You to Eternal Misery The Worst Advice You Can Give a Neurodivergent Person 10 Types of Childhood Emotional Trauma in South Asian Families I’m Questioning My Gender Unclench: The Philosophy That Helped Me Overcome IBS, Depression, and Anxiety I Developed a Mental System to Manage My ADHD — Here’s How It Transformed My Life You Ended Your Life in a Moment: Your Suicide Kills Me Daily 7 Important Things That People With Invisible Illnesses Want You To Know The Importance of Using Mental Illness Terms Responsibly
Long COVID connection
Strapline: An evidence-based site for news, research, and voices about Long Covid and related conditions.
Followers: 215
Boosting powers? Yes
Latest 10 posts
How it feels to have long Covid “Oh, I Get Tired Too!”- The Information You Need to Explain Post-Exertional Malaise to Others When You Want to Party, Your Body Won’t Let You, and Nobody Understands Many people are tired of grappling with long COVID — here are some evidence-based ways to counter it From ‘doing’ to ‘being’ — how long Covid is changing my perspective on productivity Is Long Covid Physiological or Psychological? Please Just Read the Science Three Lessons From the Making of COVID Vaccines Long COVID stemmed from mild cases of COVID-19 in most people, according to a new multicountry study The Long Shadow of COVID Am I Ill, Afraid, Anxious, Or Just Lazy?
Long. Sweet. Valuable
Strapline: Long 300+ words stories with valuable information
Followers: 1400
Boosting Powers? No
Latest 10 posts
How I Made $6+ in One Day from Medium Partner Program Make Your Weakness Work Living With Intention: 5 Practices To Infuse Purpose Into Every Day This newsletter took 4 minutes to start and got 150 subscribers in 24 hours I Will Never Ask Someone This Question The Mafia Lord Why You Need To Earn Your Money Online and Build Something Yourself Above the skyline 3 Ways to Find Awe in Your Daily Life 3 Good Reasons to Write Besides Writing for MONEY!
Menopause Matters
Strapline: Science-based information and plain talk to help women take charge of their bodies, dispel myths, make more informed decisions and embrace this phase of life. Ideas, resources and personal stories to help you stay informed and stay positive.
Followers: 212
Boosting powers? Yes
Latest 10 posts
Being emotional (and controlling your thoughts) Welcome to My Menopause Clinic: Your Guide to Healthy Weight Loss and Lasting Results Embarking on the Menopausal Odyssey: A Comprehensive Guide to Empower Every Woman Confused about Menopause Let’s Teach Our Older Children About Menopause Insomnia + Depression = What? Is there a link between HRT and cognitive decline? Research is inconclusive Am I lonely and hollow, or am I alone and full? Endometriosis afflicts millions of women, but few people feel comfortable talking about it Flashback to High School Embarrassment
Note: In late 2024, the editor of Menopause Matters announced she was stepping away from Medium. It’s not yet clear what the future of Menopause Matters will be.
Microbial Instincts
Strapline: Decoding the microbial angle to health and the microbial world.
Followers: 1,800
Boosting powers? Yes
Latest 10 posts
What’s the LISTEN Study on Post-Vaccination Syndrome All about? A Critical Look The Case for Virus Origin of Neurodegenerative Diseases Is Getting Stronger and More Important How to End Dengue? Vaccinate Mosquitoes! Spike in HIV Diagnoses Falsely Linked to COVID-19 Vaccinations When Someone Died Suddenly, What Could Be the Cause? Hint: It’s Not the Vaccine On Bedbugs and Lice Affordable Tuberculosis Drugs At Last, After Johnson & Johnson Loses Its Patent The Problem with Long-COVID Research No One Talks About Pirola Covid Variant Has Evolved Again, Showing Enhanced Immune Escape Why We Nickname COVID-19 Variants After Asteroids, Mythical Creatures, and Stars
Middle-Pause
Strapline: We are the voices of women who encourage, inspire, and empower each other to live lives of meaning and purpose before, during, and after menopause.
Followers: 2,100
Boosting powers? Yes
Latest 10 posts
I Went to My First Codependents Anonymous Meeting Last Night The Day I Started Feeling Like One of Those Older Ladies Is Talking About Menopause Still Taboo? I Can’t Stop My Husband from Doing Dangerous Things When The Clock Strikes Midlife Where Willows Wilt Strawberry Connection: A New Way of Looking at Community Strolling Through My Community Getting Older Isn’t Easy, But it Can Be Empowering The 5 Most Powerful Ways to Approach Aging as A Woman
Note: Middle-Pause describes itself as the voice of women for women. I did not see any articles by male writers.
Mindful Mental Health
Strapline: Mindfully exploring life and mental health to be the best version of you. Using mindfulness, Psychology and self-care practices to gain awareness of, explore and help manage your mental health. Be well.
Followers: 131
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
The Genogram I Hate New Years Warrior, Survivor? How To Protect Your Energy Sleeping Tips The Ghosts That Haunt Us Movement Is Medicine Art Is Healing A Grief Retreat In The Northwoods Retreating Into the Country Up North
New Writers Welcome
Strapline: Supporting new writers to the Medium platform
Followers: 22,000
Boosting powers? Yes
Latest 10 posts
A Story About A Young Boy Cookie delay! The Worst Law Of Reality Barbie And The Oscars The Other Side of Goal-Setting 8 Lucrative Freelance Writing Niche Ideas Why I Refuse to Sell a Course…For Awhile How to Tell a Great Story How to Decrease Your Risk of Death by 10,000% The Majority of Medium Users are Male 10 Inspirational Quotes to Turn Your Life Around
On the Couch
Strapline: Practical psychology for health and happiness
Followers: 14,800
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
This Simple Mindset Tweak Will Enrich Your Life There’s No Sexy Pathway to Success. There’s Just This. 6 Questions To Ask If You’re Stuck In Your Current Life Chapter 6 Simple Strategies to Free Yourself From Guilt When Your Career Dream’s Snatched Away — How to Find Your Way Back Is Your Relationship Healthy? Here’s a Quick Way to Test It The Psychology Behind Why We Delay — Procrastination A Motivational Pep-Talk for Creatives Who are Stuck How to Know You’re 99% Secure in Your Relationship If You Can’t Face Setting Health Goals This Year, Try a Fresh Approach
Penny Press
Strapline: A publication for mind, body, life and soul for writers who want to motivate, uplift and inspire.
Followers: 60
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Age Fifty-Five to Sixty-Nine Attending Our Granddaughter’s Dance Recital Self-Care: Nurturing Your Mind, Body, and Soul A Woman Murdered These Days… Native Americans At Thanksgiving Talking To My Ten-Year Older Self Conversations, Memories and More Breakfast At the Wizards Native American Elders
Psych Times
Strapline: Helping thousands of everyday people understand themselves and others
Followers: 531
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Equal and Opposite Simple Phrase that Helps You Control Your Food Craving and Lose weight Two Faces, One Soul What Self-Awareness Is and How to Boost It in Five Steps The Eyes are a Window to the Traumatized Soul (Exploring OEI’s Applications to Therapy) Confusion Prevention: Treat chronic diseases by consuming one cup of blueberries daily You Are More Than Anyone’s Experience of You What Would I Tell My Younger Self if I Could Go Back in Time? Have Conflicting Thoughts In Your Mind?
Science for Life
Strapline: This publication accepts articles relating to a variety of topics!! You can write and submit articles relating to mental health/neurology, computer science/tech/business, medical science, health & wellness, core sciences, diet/fitness/weight loss, and personal development!!
Followers: 613
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Sisters United In Healing The Connection Between Physical and Mental Health in Trauma Recovery The Kindness Challenge Healing After Domestic Violence Stories of Triumph From My Readers Navigating Grief and Loss Mental Health Conversations in the Workplace Working Through Trauma Triggers A Personal Reflection of Trauma Recovery Coping With A Narcissistic Parent
The Road to Wellness
Strapline: Musings on the road to a healthier life
Followers: 504
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Say Goodbye to Neck Pain: You Won’t Believe How Fast It Works!” How I Combine 2 Different Diets to Manage Chronic Illness Staying Abstinent — Coping with a Life Without Alcohol Fast Food Phobia Same Breakfast Each Morning? Try These 3 Bases with Different Add-Ins Why the Body Needs Vitamin B1 So Much Swimming: This is how healthy water sports are Nourishing Your Body and Soul Staying Fit During the Winter: Home Exercises Move Your Body, Boost Your Mood: A Guide to Physical Movement
Thirty Over Fifty
Strapline: Forum for the “30%” of Medium writers, aged 50 years (fifty years) and over, to add their voices.
Followers: 507
Boosting powers? Yes
Latest 10 posts
The Art of Sleep: Nurturing Your Body and Mind Chapter One Of This Year’s Playbook Contains Last Year’s Best Life Lessons Growing Old With Grace A Grateful Heart Attracts Magical Outcomes — Try It Outraged and Middle-Aged When You Forget Me, Every Single Day and Today Nearly 300 TV Channels Keeping Leather Shoes in Tip-Top Condition How Constructive Kindness Is More Effective Than Constant Criticism Wonderful Christmas Memories: Connecting with friends and with myself
Wellspring Publications
Strapline: A community of writers on a mission to navigate wellness throughout life.
Followers: 15
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
The Mirror Effect: We Teach Others How to Treat Us Elevating Emotional Wellness At 11 AM at Stanford University & The Magic of Growth & Change How Reconnecting With Our Inner Child Helps Our Growth & Mental Health Practicing Wellness Amid Artificial Intelligence Job Layoffs 1% Progress, Perfection & The Value Behind Some Workable Imperfections Write for Your Health This One Thing is Shitting on Your Life. 5 Minutes of Daily Head Space Energy How to Add Your Articles to Wellspring
Wise & Well
Strapline: Science-backed insights for better health
Followers: 1400
Boosting powers? Yes
Latest 10 posts
Half of You Don’t Even Know the Leading Cause of Death The Science of Green Tea: Beyond the Hype Who Are You? The Pursuit of Self-Knowledge Sensitive to Gluten? Maybe You’re Eating the Wrong Kind US Healthcare is Broken. How Can We Fix It? Your Body Already Has a Built-in Weight Loss System that Works Like Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro A Perfect Birth is Often a Fantasy How Much Alcohol Do You Really Drink? Women Finally Have a Reason to Demand Pockets: They Save Lives The Silent Threat to Health and Longevity: Hearing Loss
World of Wellness
Strapline: Practical, relatable, science-backed articles on all things wellness from real world examples. Covering health, fitness, mindset, self-improvement, healthy living practices and tools that work.
Followers: 117
Boosting powers? No
Latest 10 posts
Sober Curious? Unravelling Oprah’s Ozempic Weight Loss Controversy You Could Be Building Muscle in Half the Time Reminders To Re-Ignight Your Health & Fitness Motivation Breaking The Blue Monday Blues Best Gut Health Supplements For Bloating, IBS And Weight Loss? 6 Practical Ways I Manage My AD(H)D without Medication 99% Do These 5 Things Wrong Everyday The Power of Anti-Cancer Foods Light vs Heavy Weight Which One Leads to More Muscle Growth
I hope this has been a helpful exploration of the Medium health publication universe.
Please let me know if there are other publications I should include in any updates to this post.
Please share your thoughts and experiences with these publications in the comments so we can grow together as health writers.
