Medium Username Policy

Summary

Medium enforces a first-come, first-served policy for usernames and publication slugs, with rules to prevent inactivity, trademark infringement, deceptive conduct, and unclear parody accounts.

Abstract

Medium's Username/Publication Name Policy outlines the platform's approach to managing account usernames and publication slugs, emphasizing that they are allocated based on availability and cannot be duplicated. Users are encouraged to maintain activity on their accounts and publications, as inactive accounts may have their usernames or slugs reclaimed after six months, unless the user holds a registered trademark. Trademark violations are taken seriously, with strict policies against using trademarked logos or names in a misleading manner. Deceptive conduct, including impersonation, is prohibited, and Medium reserves the right to investigate and potentially suspend accounts involved in such activities. Parody and fan accounts are permitted, provided they are clearly labeled as such in both the bio and the account name, and do not use the exact name of the subject being parodied.

Opinions

Medium prioritizes active use of its platform by reclaiming usernames and publication slugs from inactive accounts.
The platform is protective of intellectual property rights, as evidenced by its strict stance on trademark violations.
Medium values authenticity and transparency, requiring parody accounts to be explicitly identified to prevent confusion.
The policy reflects a commitment to maintaining a trustworthy environment for its users by prohibiting deceptive practices.

Medium Username/Publication Name Policy

Medium usernames and publication slugs are claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. A username or publication slug can only be attached to one account or publication at a time. A publication slug is defined as the text after the Medium.com domain. For example, for medium.com/medium-blog, “medium-blog” is the slug.

Inactivity We encourage you to remain active with your Medium account and publication. Account usernames or publication slugs may be reclaimed after 6 months of inactivity. We don’t accept requests for inactive accounts, unless you own a registered trademark for it.

Trademarks Username, publication name, and publication slug trademark violations may involve using a trademarked logo, business or product name in a way likely to confuse people. For more information, read our Trademark Policy.

Deceptive conduct We do not allow deceptive conduct on Medium. This includes creating an account, username, or publication that posts content or impersonates a person or organization in a way likely to deceive people. When we find instances of this, we reserve the right to suspend your account pending investigation and verification.

Parody Accounts Medium allows parody and fan accounts. Those accounts must be clearly marked as such, and need to adhere to the following guidelines:

The bio must directly state that the account is not affiliated with the targeted subject by using words such as “parody,” “fake,” “not,” “false,” or “fan.” There’s no specific formula you must use for the disclaimer, but it must be quickly and clearly evident this is the intention of the account to any audience.

The Medium name and username must not be the exact same as the targeted subject, and should contain a disclaiming word such as “parody,” “fake,” “not,” “false,” or “fan.” For example, if you are parodying John Smith, your username can’t be @johnsmith.

Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in suspension or removal of the Medium account.