avatarChristina

Summary

An author on Medium is experiencing an unexpected surge in readership, with their article receiving a significantly higher number of views than usual on April 9, 2022.

Abstract

On the morning of April 9, 2022, the author noticed an unusual spike in the number of reads on one of their articles, which typically garners around 100 reads a day. Within minutes, the read count jumped from 564 to 588 and continued to rise rapidly, reaching over 600 reads within half an hour. The author documented this unexpected increase with several screenshots, noting that the surge in views was from external sources rather than their fan base. The experience was described as bizarre and unprecedented, with the author planning to report back as the situation unfolds.

Opinions

  • The author finds the sudden increase in reads to be both entertaining and bizarre.
  • They emphasize that the rise in readership is organic, as indicated by the lack of growth in their fan base alongside the increasing views.
  • The author seems to be in disbelief about the situation, repeatedly refreshing the page to confirm the read count.
  • There is a sense of excitement and curiosity as the author mentions they will need to report back on the unfolding story.
  • The author encourages readers to join Medium through their referral link, suggesting they value the platform and its potential for writer support and story exposure.

I Just Checked My Stats and Thought It Was A Mistake

A real-time account of an article going “viral”?

Screenshot by Author, 7:21am, April 9, 2022

As you can see, my articles typically get 100 reads a day, until today: April 9, 2022.

What’s happening?

Scrolling through, I see an article recently published sitting an 564 reads, far more than I recall before. I refresh the page a few minutes later: 588 reads.

A few minutes later:

Screenshot by Author, 7:26am, April 9, 2022

For entertainment sake, I refresh the page one more time — not even a minute later:

Screenshot by Author, 7:27am, April 9, 2022

You’ll note that the “fans” are not climbing: these are all external views.

But, I have to share this is a bizarre experience and one I have never had before.

Screenshot by Author, 7:30am April 9, 2022

3-minutes later:

Screenshot by Author, 7:33am April 9, 2022

I will need to report back — this story is just unfolding…

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