Is Medium’s New Algorithm a Joke?
Experiencing the worst Reading Time — Earnings ratio on Medium
This is ridiculous.
As you can see in the above screenshot, on August 6, 2023, I earned less than a dollar for around 4 hours of reading time on Medium.
Why did this happen?
Because Medium introduced some changes (again) since August 1, 2023.
Tony Stubblebine, the CEO of Medium, explains in his recent post titled “Partner Program Changes Are Rolling Out Now” that they’ve just introduced a new payment calculation system that considers factors like high read ratios, reads by your followers, and Boosts.
That means a member’s reading time is no longer the sole determinant of earnings. There are more factors at play now, leading to a nosedive in earnings.
Well, that’s the case for me at least.
It’s not just me.
The new changes are affecting so many writers negatively.
In a Facebook Group, writer Tö Chï asks, “Is this what everyone has been experiencing ever since the new algorithm change, or is it just me? Imagine 1.5k mostly internal views and over 45 hours of reading time with just $36. Yesterday’s was the worst, $2 for 6 hours! This is the first time it’s happening in my 3 years of writing on Medium.”
The post receives many replies from different writers on Medium, and almost all of them confirm that they are experiencing the same.
Ryan Fan writes in the comment section of that FB post that he is experiencing the same thing, except on pieces that get boosted. “I have a piece that got boosted that only has 8 hours of member read time and $80,” he says, emphasizing that it’s currently a boost or bust game.
Writer Levi Borba’s experience is no different.
“Same here. The new algorithm absolutely slashed my earnings,” Levi explains. “My articles are mostly a out economics so they dont receieve as many claps as the typical ‘Hey Here is How to Be Happy! self-help article.’ In the previous algorithm, since I have good reading times (some of my articles crossed 1000 hours), I was making around 1K to 3K per month. Now I will barely do 400 dollars. Lol. What a joke. Likely I will focus now on my YT channel (they have clear algorithms at least) and own website.”
Another writer expresses his concerns saying, “Medium’s new algorithm is a joke.”
Well, if it’s a joke, then Medium is doing terribly because I’m not laughing. Seeing you earnings slashed by 10x isn’t funny at all. Not for me and certainly not for most writers on this platform.
If the situation doesn’t improve soon, Medium isn’t going to get quality content from writers. Ed Sharrow puts it this way in the comment section of Tö Chï’s post — “If it’s not changed quickly, it’s a dead platform for writers.”
To be honest with you, I couldn’t agree more with Ed.
Now tell me, what do you think about these new changes?
Are you experiencing the same, or, are things going great at your end?
[Note: Read Tony Stubblebine’s post “Partner Program Changes Are Rolling Out Now” to know about the changes in detail.]
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