Here’s What Seems to Happen to Medium Last Week.
This is an update to my previous story, but I don’t write it in Aussie slang or humor anymore because Mr Algorithm does not seem to like my lingo.
In the past week, I crafted a humorous yet significant story, as the subject matter was important for many writers on this platform. I acknowledge that my decision to write in Aussie slang may not have aligned with the current preferences of the algorithm, impacting the visibility of the story.
The nuances of humor, especially in specific linguistic styles, may take some time for algorithms to fully grasp. I appreciate the learning from this experience and will aim for a more universally accessible approach in my future contributions to important topics.
For example, my important story for lovely senior friends hardly got any views. I was proud of writing this story pouring my heart and soul, but hardly 0.01% of my followers had a chance to see it. So, this undesirable situation might be because of the issue I will discuss in this story.
What Happened to Medium Exactly Last Week
Initially, I assumed it was a personal hiccup, speculating that my senior moments might have inadvertently offended Mr. Algo, leading to the unforeseen consequence discussed in my previous story.
However, as I engaged in conversations with editors and fellow writers, it became apparent that the issue was widespread, affecting a multitude of individuals. Income generated from our stories seems to have decreased by at least 70% according to some friends. I feel sorry for them.
I agree with their allegations because for example the week before my stories used to earn around $3 daily and now they earn only 30 cents. I lost 90%. It is not a big deal for me as I mentioned in my previous story, but it might be for many writers.
Ariel Meadow Stallings, in a comment on a story, generously and transparently shared details that prompted me to seek further confirmation from a trusted friend who validated the concerns, giving me this screen capture. Later I found the source and linked it below the image. I have attached this public comment for your information.
Evidently, Medium is grappling with serious issues that demand immediate attention, highlighting the platform’s susceptibility to abuse.
In addressing the root causes, it’s essential to recognize the inherent greed driving some individuals to seek monetary gain without genuine effort — a timeless human inclination that necessitates the enforcement of laws and regulations to protect the innocent and penalize offenders.
My 2 Cents as an Avid Reader, Writer, and Editor
Turning our focus back to this platform, my humble opinion contends that Medium made a misstep by elevating engagement as the primary criterion for monetization.
Let me be clear — I greatly value meaningful engagement on this platform. However, when it comes to monetization, its inherent value diminishes and it becomes susceptible to misuse and abuse by greedy people.
Conversations with insightful content marketing experts underscore the significance of long reading times, a metric seemingly absent from our stats page — perhaps measured discreetly.
A mere 30-second view appears inadequate in qualifying a story as valuable, memorable, or impactful.
While engagement methods like claps, underlining, and comments are susceptible to manipulation and automation using robotic software, reading time proves a more formidable indicator. Its resistance to cost-effective abuse, owing to the computational power required, positions it as a more reliable measure.
Moreover, many readers, particularly those unacquainted with writing communities, may not engage through claps, highlights, or comments. There might be many reasons for reluctance to engage such as preferring to stay an anonymous reader.
For example, I have a friend who enjoys reading erotica, yet she refrains from leaving comments out of concern for potential judgment, fearing others may perceive her as a pervert (non-conventional action). Of course, this is her perception, and I respect her choice.
In my early days on Medium, I immersed myself in extensive reading without leaving any digital traces. At that time, I was both unaware of these tools and a bit hesitant to connect with strangers.
Thanks to support and guidance from my mentor Dr Mehmet Yildiz I overcame shyness and now meaningfully engage in stories I read and publish. I even made some friends and gained loyal readers asking me to share my life lessons.
Hesitance to engage is likely more prevalent among readers on mobile phones, making it impractical to compose meaningful comments during a short break at work or in a shopping queue.
I believe many readers are focused on learning something quickly rather than connecting with writers or building relationships with them.
This predicament prompts questions about how the Medium algorithm might reward writers with discerning readers, leading writers to gravitate towards audiences that appreciate engagement and possess ample time.
Unfortunately, some writers resort to illicit methods as mentioned by Ariel, constructing inexpensive robots to handle engagement work.
However, this is hardly a sustainable approach, as Medium, being a tech company, undoubtedly possesses the capability to detect such attempts promptly and remove them from the platform. It’s a no-brainer, a clear-cut choice that demands little thought.
Here’s hoping for a swift resolution, allowing us to write and read peacefully on this platform. After all, life is too short to be entangled in petty matters and toxic influences.
Thank you for reading my story.
I believe you may enjoy the perspectives of ILLUMINATION editors on what really matters on Medium. Hint: Not money. As they say, Medium is not a cash dispenser. It has a better purpose.
Do you want to explore more from my life lessons? Fear not, I compiled the links in a list to make it easy to find for you. Your feedback is important to me.
About Me
I am a retired scientist in his mid-70s and a new writer on Medium, but I am not new to writing. As a giveback activity, I volunteered to be an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many writers recently joining Medium like me.
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If you want to write for these publications, you may send your Medium ID via this weblink. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read.
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You may need to create a BIO if you are a new writer. As an altruistic activity, my good editor friend Aiden compiles these writer bios and promotes them. You can learn from this story. Meet ILLUMINATION Writers from Their Personally Penned Biographies
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