avatarJ.J. Pryor

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1971

Abstract

uote><blockquote id="e4c4"><p><b>4. Is the title withholding important context; misleading the reader; or using cliches, gimmicks, or cheap language?</b></p></blockquote><p id="096f">Any of the above can disqualify you now.</p><p id="f751">Probably the biggest one you’ll have to worry about — if you aren’t a cryptocurrency bot — is #1 and #3.</p><p id="dd2c">They do clarify the subjects a bit in their recent post announcing these changes, but I’m still left feeling a bit in the dark.</p><p id="e647"><b>They mention a few specific phrases to avoid </b>— which you’ll often see in certain large publications and from certain popular writers:</p><ul><li>“You need to do XYZ”</li><li>“XYZ will make you angry”</li><li>“The only”</li><li>“The most”</li><li>“I promise you”</li><li>“Guaranteed to make you”</li><li>“This will change your life”</li><li>“Be a great writer in 2 minutes a day”</li></ul><p id="9bc4">I’m hoping Medium will release a list of words that would be disqualified for titles — that would be a huge boost to us Mediumites.</p><p id="2855">I even wrote a comment on their story asking for that — p<a href="https://jjpryor.medium.com/i-like-the-direction-of-these-changes-cool-to-see-bf44b6e12701">erhaps you can help clap for it so it gets their attention?</a></p><p id="2875">Speaking of claps, we can once again ask for them in our stories while still being curated!</p><p id="e077">Before you scoff at that, you should know it does <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/299032">actually work</a>. And you can do it in a nice way. Medium even mentions they’ll disqualify stuff if it’s “too promotional.”</p><p id="052d">People often forget to clap if they’re deep in thought and wondering about the content of your piece. Or we’re lazy. Either way, a subtle reminder and asking for help can often go a long way.</p><h2 id="54fa">So in that spirit — you better clap for this article! Or else…</h2><p id="bfeb"><a href="undefined">J.J. Pryor</

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a></p><p id="d5da"><b>Related official articles about the changes:</b></p><div id="0a4b" class="link-block"> <a href="https://blog.medium.com/quality-clickbait-919057f905b7"> <div> <div> <h2>Quality 📈, clickbait 📉</h2> <div><h3>Changes to the Medium distribution standards</h3></div> <div><p>blog.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*LbSsD3NYCdnia6t57xa73A.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="b8c4"><a href="https://help.medium.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006362473">https://help.medium.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006362473</a></p><div id="d8c8" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-write-a-headline-a72ab3449150"> <div> <div> <h2>How to Write a Headline</h2> <div><h3>Insights from Medium’s editorial team</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*eAnG5shyVojqBt7m5t1nkw.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="3f1f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/23-examples-of-effective-headlines-2e7f753476f1"> <div> <div> <h2>23 Examples of Effective Headlines</h2> <div><h3>Plus some quick tips and a note on coining terms</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*_MOB4Sr0vVIEhg7sxWzheA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

No More Clickbait on Medium! (Or Sexy Images)

And you also can ask for claps again

Amazing artwork modified by J.J. Pryor from original by Igor Starkov from Pexels

Medium has been more active these past 3 months than I can remember since first reading a story on here 1.5 years ago. Some bad, some good — but all are certainly exciting!

This week’s updates will change a lot of how we interact with the platform.

Namely, in order to be distributed now (AKA new curation):

  1. No clickbait titles
  2. No sensational/clickbait images (including overly sexy images — see above)
  3. You can ask for claps again
  4. You can use moderate swearwords in the titles (Fuck yea!)
  5. You can ask for crowdfunding donations (I assume this alludes to Patreon, etc)
  6. You can use ALL CAPS IN YOUR TITLES (BUT I DONT KNOW WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO)

So what do they mean by ‘no clickbait’ titles? Here’s their description:

1. Is the title trying to exploit a reader’s personal worries, insecurities, or emotional state?

2. Is the title or story image more provocative than the content of the story merits?

3. Is the title over-reaching or over-promising with hyperbolic claims or absolutes that are not verifiable?

4. Is the title withholding important context; misleading the reader; or using cliches, gimmicks, or cheap language?

Any of the above can disqualify you now.

Probably the biggest one you’ll have to worry about — if you aren’t a cryptocurrency bot — is #1 and #3.

They do clarify the subjects a bit in their recent post announcing these changes, but I’m still left feeling a bit in the dark.

They mention a few specific phrases to avoid — which you’ll often see in certain large publications and from certain popular writers:

  • “You need to do XYZ”
  • “XYZ will make you angry”
  • “The only”
  • “The most”
  • “I promise you”
  • “Guaranteed to make you”
  • “This will change your life”
  • “Be a great writer in 2 minutes a day”

I’m hoping Medium will release a list of words that would be disqualified for titles — that would be a huge boost to us Mediumites.

I even wrote a comment on their story asking for that — perhaps you can help clap for it so it gets their attention?

Speaking of claps, we can once again ask for them in our stories while still being curated!

Before you scoff at that, you should know it does actually work. And you can do it in a nice way. Medium even mentions they’ll disqualify stuff if it’s “too promotional.”

People often forget to clap if they’re deep in thought and wondering about the content of your piece. Or we’re lazy. Either way, a subtle reminder and asking for help can often go a long way.

So in that spirit — you better clap for this article! Or else…

J.J. Pryor

Related official articles about the changes:

https://help.medium.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006362473

Medium
Feedium
Clickbait
Headlines
Writing
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