Summary

The author expresses a desire for Medium to clarify its metrics for "actual reads" versus "views" and to implement several specific features to enhance both the writing and reading experience on the platform.

Abstract

The author of the content is addressing changes recently implemented by Medium, expressing concern over the lack of clear communication from Medium's staff regarding the reasons behind these changes. The author, who identifies as a long-time user, writer, and editor, is advocating for features that would improve the platform for both writers and readers. These include the ability to customize profile pages with blocks, different layouts, and categorization; the return of features like series and an inbox for direct communication; and more writing options such as font choices and the ability to feature posts. The author is particularly concerned about the new profile look potentially reducing actual reads, especially for poetry, as entire poems can be viewed without clicking on them, which may affect how reads are counted. The author also suggests that the new subdomain feature could benefit writers by improving search engine visibility.

Opinions

The author believes that Medium's changes should be accompanied by clear communication about their purpose and impact on writers and readers.
There is a strong opinion that the new profile design may negatively affect the number of actual reads, particularly for short-form content like poems.
The author values the ability to personalize and brand publications and profile pages through the use of blocks and different layouts.
The author suggests that the current inability to see who follows you and who you follow on Medium is a missed opportunity for genuine engagement and interaction.
The author is in favor of the new look and fonts but wants more writing options and the return of certain features that have been removed, such as series.
The author sees the potential for improved search engine visibility with the new subdomain feature but emphasizes the need for more clarity on how content is consumed and credited on the platform.
The author advocates for an easy-to-use page format for poets, acknowledging the unique presentation needs of poetry compared to longer types of written content.
The author requests an inbox feature for easier communication between editors and writers, which would streamline the process of adding writers to publications and facilitate general interaction.

Medium / Writing / Editing / Creativity

My Wishes that Medium Should Implement

Medium changes I would like to see.

Lately, I am talking about the changes Medium is implementing now. Change is good, but it is also that change must be there for a reason.

There is no actual reason that has been mentioned by Medium and its staff to implement these changes: at least not communicated with its writers and readers.

Still, we — the writers and readers, must deal with these facts as it is happening right now under our nose.

So, instead of complaining, I try to reach Medium and its staff by asking these few things to make it possible for us.

I write this to Medium not only possible for writing good stuff, but also for having a good reading experience with good stuff for the readers and having a lot of more actual reads.

I am concerned that when you see all the articles in the current new profile look, where you can scroll through the end, you don’t get actual reads on your articles, as your readers don’t click on your article, because most of the articles you will see in its whole.

Especially with poems.

Do I really get an actual read when my whole poem is seen on its whole in front of my profile page?

Is it just a view, or is it an actual view when you scroll through the whole profile page and see this poem?

Can Medium and Medium Staff be very clear about this?

It is important to know. So we, the writers, can conform to the new format.

I have been here for a long time now, and I have seen some changes that I like so far. However, this is far beyond what is needed for writers and readers.

We are notified about new updates or about when and which or what time the implementations in the new look will occur. Writers and readers are left unaware of what to expect. That is one thing I want. We — writers and readers — are owed by your Medium.

I really want to see Medium implement in the new look — the look I like thus far.

I like that I get my own subdomain name. When I have my own subdomain name, I think my name will be good in search engines. That is good for writers. Their name will be out there, but also I believe that — when you search for stories — that your name will be more searchable.

I love the new look and fonts, but there are options I want to have back as a writer and editor of several publications.

These are the points I reach out to you, Medium; I hope you will make it possible for us.

These points are for the readability of readers and the fun to work with as writers:

choose blocks
choose between different layouts
see who you follows and who you are following
categorize your own personal page and feature posts
writing options with fonts, big or small letters
series back
an easy page for poets
an inbox

Choose blocks

Do you know what I love about the old look of publications? The ability to add blocks in categories, tags, favorite stories you feature, and everything from that. It makes your page or publication more personal and more branding.

These blocks are a great way to explore more content for followers, the readers and a pleasure to look at. I think it will widen the horizon of the readers. You make your page more personal.

Choose between different layouts

What if the writer still wants the new look? That is also fine, but I suggest implementing the different layouts writers choose how their content looks. And how readers experience the writer's page.

See who you follows and who you are following

When I go to my ‘about-page’, I can’t click who follows me and who I follow. I want to know if a follower isn’ a bot. I want real followers who interact with me. I want a face with all of my followers. Not just numbers. I also want to know who I follow, and I can click easily on the profile in my follower's list and check out their stories. I don’t remember who I followed the first day I made an account here on Medium. And who I followed through my writing journey.

Categorize your own personal page and feature posts

I want to categorize my profile page, just like the old way you have not opted in with publications. I also want a sidebar where I can feature videos, stories, and more. And more than seven options would be nice.

Writing options with fonts, big or small letters

Another great feature would be writing in different fonts and heights. That makes it more fun for writers. These features make reading the articles more fun for our readers.

Series back

What I always loved to do was make a series of these little cards. I made some of them in the past which I wanted to continue in the future. Suddenly I didn’t see them anymore. Will this feature ever be back again? And did I lose my old ones?

An easy page for poets

As I recently discovered this writing genre, I love poetry. I made quite a few of them. More than thirty already. And I will try other forms of poetry too, such as Haiku and Tanka.

These kinds of poetry genres are very short. You will see three lines, maybe four. And when you have a normal short poem, you see the whole poem. That is not good because nobody will ever click on that poem to read fully.

An inbox

Another feature that helps, especially for editors, is a message inbox, so we can reach out to a specific writer if we want some clarification, notify them if they are added to a publication, or to communicate: not only for editors but also for writers to have a nice chat. As an editor, it is not funny to reach other social media to interact with writers to add them to your publication.

Thus, Ev Williams and Medium, please provide us with these wishes as I have heard complaints about it a lot.

The previously written content about Medium changes: