Summary

The web content discusses the mixed reactions of Medium writers to recent changes in the platform's distribution and curation models, with some established writers expressing concerns about declining earnings, visibility, and engagement.

Abstract

The article reflects on Medium's 10th anniversary and the platform's evolution, acknowledging its milestones and the presence of renowned writers. However, it also highlights the apprehension among some long-standing authors who are experiencing a downturn in their metrics due to shifts in Medium's distribution model. These changes have led to a decrease in earnings, a drop in stats, and lower engagement levels, prompting concerns about the platform's direction. The piece mentions several writers, including Shannon Ashley, Susie Kearley, Yana Bostongirl, Jessica Wildfire, and Kristina God, who have voiced their worries about the impact of these changes on diverse voices and the overall writing community on Medium. The author, a newcomer to the platform, contemplates the implications of these shifts and questions how they should be interpreted by newer writers.

Opinions

The author expresses admiration for Medium's achievements over its first decade, highlighting its significance in the writing community.
Concern is raised about the negative impact of recent distribution model changes on established writers, including reduced earnings and engagement.
There is a sense of worry that the new curation model may be compromising visibility and sidelining diverse voices.
Some writers, like Sh

Is Medium the Place To Be or Not To Be

Dear Medium,

I recently read about your personal journey through the Wayback Machine for your tenth-year anniversary and it really made me go, “Wow!!” with wide eyes.

So many milestone moments, viral stories, first publications, feature upgrades, proud mentions, and back-and-forth on the logo, not to mention the big-name writers. Gosh, the big-name writers!

It Happened on Medium: The First 10 Years

Thank you for reading, writing, and sharing. Here are some highlights from our first decade.

blog.medium.com

Congratulations on your 10th-year milestone achievement!

I am two months old on this platform and it feels wonderful to be a part of this greatness.

This is why it feels all the more worrisome when I start to see stories by established writers on this platform who sound concerned about a recent shakeup to the distribution model that is causing their earnings to drop, stats to decline, and engagements to reach an abysmal low.

Shannon Ashley is concerned about changes to the curation model that is compromising her visibility on Medium.

Medium Isn’t Getting Any Better

We don’t need the new CEO to be another gatekeeper of so-called “good” writing while diverse voices are sidelined.

medium.com

Susie Kearley is worried that many writers are feeling demoralized and choosing to leave the platform.

Writers Are Leaving in Droves

Is it earnings, boredom, or because they feel ignored?

medium.com

Yana Bostongirl is struggling with motivation and experiencing burnout from constant changes to the platform (On a side note, what was the mysterious Coffee Times debacle about?)

I am Starting to Have Second Thoughts About Writing Here

Do you feel me on this?

medium.com

Jessica Wildfire, a writer who is on fire, is now under fire for calling out the upper-echelon folks on changes made to the distribution model.

Okay, Medium. I Get It. I’m Not Good Enough.

I’ll be packing my bags.

jessicalexicus.medium.com

For Kristina God, the recent update to curation rules adds chaos to confusion that doesn’t quite benefit the writers.

Is Medium Updating Its Curation System For The Worse?

About temporary glitches, the death of curation, and future changes.

medium.com

These seasoned writers talk about a “good old time on Medium” and I fondly stare into the middle distance, trying to imagine the Great Plains with a young Medium bounding about, and wonder what that looked like!

In other words, I am thinking, “what changes are these folks talking about?” and “what am I missing and don’t even know that I am missing!”.

I get that change is the only constant and that any system that is afraid of change will rot and fail. I also get that these established writers with a big following who have been with Medium from the time the platform took its baby steps are probably finding these changes disruptive to their routine.

But is all of this a sign of doom as predicted by these writers or is it simply a natural, evolutionary next for Medium?

How are two-month-old fledgling writers supposed to process these talks?

“If you are plotted anywhere near me on the spiritual graph or if you find my journey relatable, please follow me for more rants, raves, and reflections.”