avatarMartin van Soest

Summary

The article discusses the significance and impact of achieving Top Writer status on Medium, questioning its benefits and providing insights on how to strategically use tags for better visibility and engagement.

Abstract

The author of the article, who has attained Top Writer status for the Tanka tag, delves into the enigmatic nature of Medium's algorithm for content promotion and the role of Top Writer status in this process. While the status is displayed on an author's profile and is speculated to improve content visibility, the exact mechanics remain undisclosed by Medium. The article suggests that all tags may be treated equally by Medium's algorithm, despite the existence of a curated list of Top Writer tags that are believed to grant better reach. The author advises writers to use tags judiciously, matching content appropriately to maintain read ratios and attract the right audience, rather than chasing the Top Writer status for its own sake.

Opinions

  • The author initially sought to compile a list of tags that would easily lead to Top Writer status, but later questioned the actual benefits of this status.
  • Medium's content promotion algorithm is multifactorial and not fully transparent, with Top Writer status being one of the many factors influencing an article's visibility.
  • The author speculates that all tags might be equal in terms of algorithmic treatment, despite the perception that certain tags offer better visibility due to their popularity.
  • Writers are encouraged to use tags that genuinely fit their content to ensure a good match with the audience's interests, rather than exploiting popular tags for exposure.
  • The article suggests that niche writers may not benefit significantly from the curated Top Writer tags and should focus on targeting their specific audience.
  • The author plans to share collected data

Writing

What’s the Deal With Top Writer Status?

Should we care about getting top writer status?

I created a table to list all available tags that grant you a top writer status. My goal was rather obvious: is there an easy way into acquiring one of the tags to shine on my profile? However, while compiling the data and writing the post, I started to wonder about the actual benefit this status provides a writer. In this article, I share my thoughts on them.

So... You’re at the top. But what does that mean? Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

The mystery of top writer status

It is a bit of a mystery as to how Medium decides which articles it shows in people’s feeds and search results. That’s understandable, there are many factors involved after all: how recent is it, is it (getting) popular, which tags are used, is the reader interested in those tags, does the reader follow the author, etc. One of the ingredients is also the author’s Top Writer Status. If you have that status for a search query, you are more likely to be shown.

If an author becomes a top writer, it is shown on his about-page in the profile. It’s that simple. Have the tag and you have a better reach.

Or is it? Much of what I say above is speculation. Medium does not disclose a lot about their inner workings. We are left in the dark as to how the platform operates. Sometimes we glean little bits of wisdom from observations, or on rare occasions from Medium’s staff. When it comes to Top Writer Status, we are completely left in the dark. Well, not completely. They do disclose what it takes to become a top writer in this blog post.

Top writer status for less popular tags

I happen to be a top writer in the tag Tanka. See? If you have clicked the link, you’ll notice that I’m currently ranked #5 there. But, wait a minute… The tag Tanka is not a known top writer tag, is it?

No, it isn’t. What is the meaning of being a top writer in an eligible tag? Does Medium behave in the same way when it comes to feeds or searches? My guess is as good as yours. For what it’s worth: I think they work exactly the same.

So why did Medium decide to include a top writer tag in people’s profiles? I think they exist to create some sort of engagement from Medium to writers. You even see writers bragging about their status in their own descriptions. Medium’s blog confirms my suspicions:

“Beyond being featured on tag pages, your profile will also proudly display the tags in which you’re a top writer, so potential followers can quickly see your expertise.”

All that said, a top writer tag in the ‘curated’ list might not be as special as you might think. If someone looks for a certain topic, be it directly by tag, or by another sort of query, Medium will favour trending topics when display search results. The same may be true for a user’s feed: if he has shown interest in a certain topic, stories by authors who have a top status are favoured.

Summary

This leads to my preliminary conclusion: all tags are equal! Top writer status is just to showcase your writing in popular tags. Now repeat after me: all tags are equal!

Then why should I use them?

If you can get a top writer tag in any tag, it begs the question of why you should bother trying to achieve top writer status. To be honest, I am a bit ambivalent about it. I like to see stories in my feed that I want to read. I don’t want to abuse the system by using a tag that is only mildly appropriate for the content I provide.

Still… Those ‘chosen’ tags did not come into place by chance. They are on the list are as they are popular (according to the blog). And that’s what Medium is about: they want to serve both readers as well as writers in their content. And if that’s so, I might as well use one that is closest to my topic, wouldn’t I?

Posts that don’t fit a popular tag

It depends actually. If I were susceptible to status, bribery, and meaningless upvotes, then I should definitely include as many tags from the list as possible to show ‘my expertise to potential followers’. No matter that my view/read ratio will suffer tremendously from it.

Posts that fit popular tags

Assuming you’re not immorally adding inappropriate tags to your content, then I think you should prefer tags on the list that match your article, even if you think another tag is more fitting.

Niche writing

Finally, my guess is that if you are a niche writer, you don’t benefit a lot from the curated tags as you are likely to find the wrong audience with them. You will need to find a way to make things work for your niche. And like I said: all tags are equal. You’re better off targeting your target audience instead of the entirety of Medium.

And maybe, if you’re successful in your niche and the tag gets enough traction, it might make it to the curated list as well. The list itself is not static. Notice that the tag NBA only made its debut recently? You can also submit a request to include tags.

If you write for a specific niche, you’ll hope to gather followers for it. If you use a popular tag,

Summary

Let me summarize: only use tags on the list if it matches your content. If you are writing for a niche, my hunches tell me you should avoid using the tags that grant you top writer status. Fail to follow these simple rules and you risk attracting an audience that doesn’t care to read your article. If your read-ratio becomes too low, your article becomes less likely to be shown in search results. You’re thus only hurting yourself by using inappropriate tags.

I am confused, what should I do?

I’ll post the data I have collected sometime in the future. Take a look at it and draw your own conclusions. Medium doesn’t tell us everything about how their internal gears are spinning. We do know that they have built a platform that allows authors to be found by their readers. They would surely not only limit themselves to the big dogs.

Use your tags wisely. And if you frequently write about a subject, make sure you use an appropriate tag for it, even if it is not on the list. It will get you top writer status. You don’t get to show off with it, but you will probably reap the benefits. All tags are equal after all.

Got curious about the list of the current Top Writer Tags? Here’s an up to date list:

How about being Chosen for further distribution (aka curation)?

Long in the making, but it is finally there. My extension to view which of your articles are Chosen for Distribution is available for download. Check it out here:

Writing
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Top Writers
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