The Most Featured Publications on Medium in May 2020 — An Analysis
Of all 560 of the stories featured by Medium in May 2020, these were the publications they were sourced from.
The agenda of this piece is simple: we will take a look at the top 20 publications that had their stories featured on Medium’s homepage the most in May, 2020. We will examine the formatting — word count, story length, and topics— used by the writers as well as engagement metrics, such as claps and responses.
There were 62 publications that had their stories featured by Medium in May, so after the top 20, we will take a brief look at the remaining 42 publications. Along the way, we’ll see a graph of the stats from the top 20 publications in order to see how they stack up against one another.
As we found in the April, 2020 analysis, all of the top 10 publications are owned and operated by Medium. What I’ve realized is that if we only analyzed the top 10 publications, it’d always be one of Medium’s own publications; that wouldn’t be much fun, would it?
Who am I?
I’m a software engineer who knows how to obtain, process, and report data efficiently. As a writer, I’ve set my eyes on Medium’s featured stories to help myself and other writers understand what Medium’s editorial team prioritizes. I will do my best to summarize my findings in a series of articles. You can follow me and the Writers Guild publication to stay alert.
#1. OneZero
There were seventy-one stories from OneZero featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 12.68% of all stories featured during May. The stories of OneZero were curated across forty-seven topics, including Politics, Business, and Social Media. The most frequent topic was Technology, which appeared in fifty-nine stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from OneZero to feature on their homepage was 8,842. The minimum number of words was 672. The average number of words was 1,544.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 6 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 35 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 3 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 53,124 claps for stories published in OneZero. The applause came from 7,520 readers.
- Average number of claps: 748
- Maximum number of claps: 3,820
- Minimum number of claps: 92
There was a total of 559 responses received on stories published on OneZero.
- Average number of responses: 8
- Maximum number of responses: 52
- Minimum number of responses: 0
#2. Elemental
There were sixty-three stories from Elemental featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 11.25% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Elemental were curated across thirty-three topics, including Coronavirus, Science, and Health. The most frequent topic was Health, which appeared in sixty-two stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Elemental to feature on their homepage was 3,697. The minimum number of words was 833. The average number of words was 1,570.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 6 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 15 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 3 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 115,261 claps for stories published in Elemental. The applause came from 19,630 readers.
- Average number of claps: 1,830
- Maximum number of claps: 28,924
- Minimum number of claps: 80
There was a total of 1046 responses received on stories published on Elemental.
- Average number of responses: 17
- Maximum number of responses: 161
- Minimum number of responses: 1
#3. GEN
There were forty-nine stories from GEN featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 8.75% of all stories featured during May. The stories of GEN were curated across forty-four topics, including Politics, Race, and Justice. The most frequent topic was Politics, which appeared in twenty-nine stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from GEN to feature on their homepage was 11,449. The minimum number of words was 532. The average number of words was 2,062.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 8 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 44 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 2 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 133,457 claps for stories published in GEN. The applause came from 17,092 readers.
- Average number of claps: 2,724
- Maximum number of claps: 22,005
- Minimum number of claps: 194
There was a total of 1434 responses received on stories published on GEN.
- Average number of responses: 29
- Maximum number of responses: 145
- Minimum number of responses: 0
#4. Forge
There were forty-nine stories from Forge featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 8.75% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Forge were curated across thirty-one topics, including Mindfulness, Mental Health, and Self. The most frequent topic was Self, which appeared in thirty-four stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Forge to feature on their homepage was 2,593. The minimum number of words was 505. The average number of words was 1,066.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 4 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 11 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 2 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 128,104 claps for stories published in Forge. The applause came from 19,215 readers.
- Average number of claps: 2,614
- Maximum number of claps: 22,495
- Minimum number of claps: 173
There was a total of 1102 responses received on stories published on Forge.
- Average number of responses: 22
- Maximum number of responses: 135
- Minimum number of responses: 1
#5. LEVEL
There were forty-seven stories from LEVEL featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 8.39% of all stories featured during May. The stories of LEVEL were curated across thirty-nine topics, including Society, Race, and Work. The most frequent topic was Culture, which appeared in thirty-two stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from LEVEL to feature on their homepage was 3,937. The minimum number of words was 236. The average number of words was 1,585.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 6 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 16 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 1 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 70,008 claps for stories published in LEVEL. The applause came from 8,028 readers.
- Average number of claps: 1,490
- Maximum number of claps: 7,381
- Minimum number of claps: 51
There was a total of 689 responses received on stories published on LEVEL.
- Average number of responses: 15
- Maximum number of responses: 79
- Minimum number of responses: 0
#6. ZORA
There were thirty-three stories from ZORA featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 5.89% of all stories featured during May. The stories of ZORA were curated across thirty-one topics, including Culture, Society, and Race. The most frequent topic was Culture, which appeared in twenty-two stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from ZORA to feature on their homepage was 2,150. The minimum number of words was 574. The average number of words was 1,323.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 5 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 9 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 2 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 53,375 claps for stories published in ZORA. The applause came from 6,777 readers.
- Average number of claps: 1,617
- Maximum number of claps: 8,683
- Minimum number of claps: 250
There was a total of 444 responses received on stories published on ZORA.
- Average number of responses: 13
- Maximum number of responses: 75
- Minimum number of responses: 0
#7. Marker
There were thirty stories from Marker featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 5.36% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Marker were curated across twenty-seven topics, including Money, Economy, and Business. The most frequent topic was Business, which appeared in twenty-seven stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Marker to feature on their homepage was 3,778. The minimum number of words was 837. The average number of words was 1,793.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 7 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 15 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 3 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 48,571 claps for stories published in Marker. The applause came from 9,011 readers.
- Average number of claps: 1,619
- Maximum number of claps: 8,421
- Minimum number of claps: 251
There was a total of 574 responses received on stories published on Marker.
- Average number of responses: 19
- Maximum number of responses: 95
- Minimum number of responses: 1
#8. Medium Coronavirus Blog
There were twenty-six stories from Medium Coronavirus Blog featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 4.64% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Medium Coronavirus Blog were curated across five topics, including Coronavirus, Politics, and World. The most frequent topic was Coronavirus, which appeared in twenty-six stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Medium Coronavirus Blog to feature on their homepage was 1,146. The minimum number of words was 209. The average number of words was 679.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 3 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 5 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 1 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 45,090 claps for stories published in Medium Coronavirus Blog. The applause came from 7,202 readers.
- Average number of claps: 1,734
- Maximum number of claps: 10,460
- Minimum number of claps: 68
There was a total of 468 responses received on stories published on Medium Coronavirus Blog.
- Average number of responses: 18
- Maximum number of responses: 113
- Minimum number of responses: 1
#9. Human Parts
There were fourteen stories from Human Parts featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 2.50% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Human Parts were curated across twenty-five topics, including Society, Relationships, and Psychology. The most frequent topic was Self, which appeared in ten stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Human Parts to feature on their homepage was 8,932. The minimum number of words was 888. The average number of words was 3,023.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 12 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 34 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 4 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 26,461 claps for stories published in Human Parts. The applause came from 3,310 readers.
- Average number of claps: 1,890
- Maximum number of claps: 5,000
- Minimum number of claps: 645
There was a total of 258 responses received on stories published on Human Parts.
- Average number of responses: 18
- Maximum number of responses: 49
- Minimum number of responses: 5
#10. Tenderly
There were twelve stories from Tenderly featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 2.14% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Tenderly were curated across fourteen topics, including Food, Pets, and Humor. The most frequent topic was Food, which appeared in seven stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Tenderly to feature on their homepage was 2,385. The minimum number of words was 396. The average number of words was 1,169.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 5 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 10 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 2 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 23,394 claps for stories published in Tenderly. The applause came from 3,334 readers.
- Average number of claps: 1,950
- Maximum number of claps: 15,353
- Minimum number of claps: 96
There was a total of 155 responses received on stories published on Tenderly.
- Average number of responses: 13
- Maximum number of responses: 90
- Minimum number of responses: 1
#11. The Bold Italic
There were ten stories from The Bold Italic featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 1.79% of all stories featured during May. The stories of The Bold Italic were curated across twenty-three topics, including Politics, Coronavirus, and Education. The most frequent topic was San Francisco, which appeared in six stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from The Bold Italic to feature on their homepage was 6,082. The minimum number of words was 189. The average number of words was 1,715.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 7 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 24 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 3 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 9,192 claps for stories published in The Bold Italic. The applause came from 1,346 readers.
- Average number of claps: 919
- Maximum number of claps: 3,517
- Minimum number of claps: 105
There was a total of 116 responses received on stories published on The Bold Italic.
- Average number of responses: 12
- Maximum number of responses: 58
- Minimum number of responses: 1
#12. Heated
There were eight stories from Heated featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 1.43% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Heated were curated across fifteen topics, including Food, Business, and Education. The most frequent topic was Food, which appeared in eight stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Heated to feature on their homepage was 1,879. The minimum number of words was 1,072. The average number of words was 1,458.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 6 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 8 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 5 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 4,814 claps for stories published in Heated. The applause came from 601 readers.
- Average number of claps: 602
- Maximum number of claps: 1,743
- Minimum number of claps: 117
There was a total of 52 responses received on stories published on Heated.
- Average number of responses: 7
- Maximum number of responses: 17
- Minimum number of responses: 0
#13. Better Humans
There were seven stories from Better Humans featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 1.25% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Better Humans were curated across twelve topics, including Productivity, Leadership, and Mental Health. The most frequent topic was Productivity, which appeared in three stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Better Humans to feature on their homepage was 4,759. The minimum number of words was 1,497. The average number of words was 3,153.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 12 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 19 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 6 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 4,457 claps for stories published in Better Humans. The applause came from 546 readers.
- Average number of claps: 637
- Maximum number of claps: 1,415
- Minimum number of claps: 142
There was a total of 36 responses received on stories published on Better Humans.
- Average number of responses: 5
- Maximum number of responses: 8
- Minimum number of responses: 3
#14. Wake-Up Call
There were six stories from Wake-Up Call featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 1.07% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Wake-Up Call were curated across one topics, including Culture. The most frequent topic was Culture, which appeared in six stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Wake-Up Call to feature on their homepage was 2,183. The minimum number of words was 728. The average number of words was 1,315.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 5 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 8 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 3 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 1,633 claps for stories published in Wake-Up Call. The applause came from 243 readers.
- Average number of claps: 272
- Maximum number of claps: 589
- Minimum number of claps: 44
There was a total of 14 responses received on stories published on Wake-Up Call.
- Average number of responses: 2
- Maximum number of responses: 4
- Minimum number of responses: 1
#15. Noteworthy — The Journal Blog
There were five stories from Noteworthy — The Journal Blog featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 0.89% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Noteworthy — The Journal Blog were curated across six topics, including Race, Equality, and Work. The most frequent topic was Race, which appeared in four stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Noteworthy — The Journal Blog to feature on their homepage was 3,067. The minimum number of words was 725. The average number of words was 1,554.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 6 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 12 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 3 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 4,763 claps for stories published in Noteworthy — The Journal Blog. The applause came from 426 readers.
- Average number of claps: 953
- Maximum number of claps: 1,431
- Minimum number of claps: 306
There was a total of 31 responses received on stories published on Noteworthy — The Journal Blog.
- Average number of responses: 6
- Maximum number of responses: 9
- Minimum number of responses: 4
#16. The Startup
There were five stories from The Startup featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 0.89% of all stories featured during May. The stories of The Startup were curated across twelve topics, including Science, Freelancing, and Media. The most frequent topic was Science, which appeared in one stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from The Startup to feature on their homepage was 4,734. The minimum number of words was 227. The average number of words was 1,787.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 7 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 18 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 2 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 8,014 claps for stories published in The Startup. The applause came from 1,471 readers.
- Average number of claps: 1,603
- Maximum number of claps: 3,550
- Minimum number of claps: 54
There was a total of 94 responses received on stories published on The Startup.
- Average number of responses: 19
- Maximum number of responses: 41
- Minimum number of responses: 0
#17. Better Marketing
There were five stories from Better Marketing featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 0.89% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Better Marketing were curated across eight topics, including Marketing, Business, and Psychology. The most frequent topic was Marketing, which appeared in three stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Better Marketing to feature on their homepage was 2,675. The minimum number of words was 660. The average number of words was 1,125.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 5 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 10 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 3 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 36,872 claps for stories published in Better Marketing. The applause came from 6,755 readers.
- Average number of claps: 7,374
- Maximum number of claps: 22,818
- Minimum number of claps: 1,945
There was a total of 189 responses received on stories published on Better Marketing.
- Average number of responses: 38
- Maximum number of responses: 112
- Minimum number of responses: 13
#18. An Injustice!
There were four stories from An Injustice! featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 0.71% of all stories featured during May. The stories of An Injustice! were curated across seven topics, including Race, Equality, and Digital Life. The most frequent topic was Race, which appeared in one stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from An Injustice! to feature on their homepage was 1,268. The minimum number of words was 668. The average number of words was 1,003.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 4 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 5 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 3 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 3,606 claps for stories published in An Injustice!. The applause came from 254 readers.
- Average number of claps: 902
- Maximum number of claps: 2,329
- Minimum number of claps: 193
There was a total of 26 responses received on stories published on An Injustice!.
- Average number of responses: 7
- Maximum number of responses: 19
- Minimum number of responses: 1
#19. Starts With A Bang!
There were four stories from Starts With A Bang! featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 0.71% of all stories featured during May. The stories of Starts With A Bang! were curated across one topics, including Space. The most frequent topic was Space, which appeared in four stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from Starts With A Bang! to feature on their homepage was 1,644. The minimum number of words was 1,483. The average number of words was 1,529.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 7 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 7 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 7 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 3,602 claps for stories published in Starts With A Bang!. The applause came from 642 readers.
- Average number of claps: 901
- Maximum number of claps: 1,882
- Minimum number of claps: 420
There was a total of 41 responses received on stories published on Starts With A Bang!.
- Average number of responses: 10
- Maximum number of responses: 22
- Minimum number of responses: 3
#20. UX Collective
There were four stories from UX Collective featured by Medium in May, 2020. These stories accounted for 0.71% of all stories featured during May. The stories of UX Collective were curated across six topics, including Venture Capital, Business, and Startups. The most frequent topic was UX, which appeared in two stories.
Formatting
The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from UX Collective to feature on their homepage was 1,309. The minimum number of words was 606. The average number of words was 1,078.
Those words summed up to an average reading time of 5 minutes.
- Maximum reading time: 6 minutes
- Minimum reading time: 2 minutes
Reader engagement
There was a total of 5,566 claps for stories published in UX Collective. The applause came from 904 readers.
- Average number of claps: 1,392
- Maximum number of claps: 2,419
- Minimum number of claps: 497
There was a total of 19 responses received on stories published on UX Collective.
- Average number of responses: 5
- Maximum number of responses: 10
- Minimum number of responses: 1
All other collections — 42
Medium featured stories from forty-two other publications during May, 2020. The stories from these publications accounted for about 10.89% of all featured stories in May. Let’s take a quick look at them.
- Arc Digital had four stories featured — 0.71% of all. The most frequent topic was Society.
- Mind Cafe had four stories featured — 0.71%. The most frequent topic was Self.
- Humungus had four stories featured — 0.71%. The most frequent topic was Mental Health.
- The Ascent had three stories featured — 0.54%. The most frequent topic was Relationships.
- ILLUMINATION had three stories featured — 0.54%. The most frequent topic was Mental Health.
- Age of Awareness had three stories featured — 0.54%. The most frequent topic was Self.
- The Writing Cooperative had two stories featured — 0.36%. The most frequent topic was Creativity.
- Nightingale had two stories featured — 0.36%. The most frequent topic was Data Science.
- humble words had two stories featured — 0.36%. The most frequent topic was Venture Capital.
- Kaizen Habits had two stories featured — 0.36%. The most frequent topic was Lifestyle.
- Fearless She Wrote had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Parenting.
- The Open Bookshelf had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Books.
- The Long Now Foundation had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Society.
- The Founder Coach had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Leadership.
- Equality Includes You had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Race.
- Sylvanaqua Farms had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Food.
- Truly*Adventurous had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was History.
- Substance had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Self.
- The Belladonna Comedy had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Humor.
- Entrepreneur’s Handbook had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Digital Life.
- Cantor’s Paradise had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Math.
- Level Up Coding had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Programming.
- History of Yesterday had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was History.
- 500ish had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Podcasts.
- Microbial Instincts had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Coronavirus.
- BeingWell had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Coronavirus.
- Overlords had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Travel.
- SUPERJUMP had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Gaming.
- Invisible Illness had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Mental Health.
- SkillUp Ed had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Digital Life.
- Columbia Journalism had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Digital Life.
- The Futur had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Creativity.
- Write to Edit had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Language.
- The Language Learning Hub had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Language.
- Interfaith Now had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Religion.
- The Atlantic had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Travel.
- Blockfolio Blog had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Cryptocurrency.
- Towards Data Science had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Data Science.
- Personal Growth had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Self.
- Sidewalk Talk had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Economy.
- The Blog Of Darius Foroux had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Productivity.
- Unapologetically Real had one story featured — 0.18%. The most frequent topic was Health.
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