# Summary

The author is expressing dissatisfaction with recent changes to Medium's user interface, particularly the removal of profile picture circles that indicated new stories from writers they follow.

# Abstract

The author has noticed significant changes to Medium's interface after a period of inactivity on the platform, including the absence of profile pictures and story counts for followed writers at the top of the home page. This change has made it difficult for the author to keep up with their favorite writers and friends, as they now have to manually search through a 'Following' list, which may not show all recent work. The author also points out that the search function requires exact user names to find specific writers, which they find inconvenient. The article suggests that these changes might be aimed at encouraging more scrolling and exposure to a wider range of content, potentially to promote quality over quantity. The author, who values the interactive aspect of Medium, calls for the return of the profile picture circles to facilitate better support and interaction among the community.

# Opinions

- The author is frustrated with the new Medium interface, which has removed visual cues for new content from followed writers.
- They believe that the new changes make it more challenging to support and interact with favorite writers and friends on the platform.
- The author is critical of the search functionality, as it requires exact user names to find writers.
- There is a concern that the changes may be intended to increase content exposure at the cost of user experience and established connections.
- The author advocates for the return of the previous feature with profile pictures to enhance interaction and maintain community relationships within the limited time users have to engage with Medium.

Where Are My Medium Peeps?

I’ve been so AWOL I’m only now realizing some changes to the site.

If you’re wondering why I haven’t been commenting on your stories of late, my main reason is that I’ve hardly been on Medium. Like everyone, we have moments when life gets busy, and pleasurable activities have to take a back seat.

Tonight, I was all geared up to sit back and read some stories of people I follow. Only then did I notice the circles with their profile pictures and a number indicating how many stories they had published since I last checked in were missing from the top of my home page.

Instead, I just saw words:

Where are the profile pics of my buddies?

I depended on that feature to stay abreast of my favourite writers and friends. Now, I have to scroll through the ‘Following’ list to find anything they recently published.

That’s a long process — and how do I know that what Medium is feeding me is representative of all their work of late?

Yes, I can search for a writer, but I failed to find one of my favourites using the 🔍 method. Rodrigo S-C didn’t appear because I wrote only ‘Rod s-c’ in the search bar.

You have to know the writers’ exact user name to be able to find them.

BTW — please excuse the glowing orange ‘h’ in my screenshot. It’s for a coupon company, Honey, and I can’t get rid of that damned icon!

Yes, we have a new head honcho, and since his arrival, there have been many subtle changes — and some biggies, too, such as being able to receive tips. I must get onto activating that…

Yes, I know you can never please everyone, but I find this very irritating. My Medium time is limited, and whatever tools facilitate my support for comrades who keep me afloat are welcome.

So, I wonder: is this change to encourage scrolling, exposure and reading writers one follows but to whom one doesn’t pay as much attention?

I confess that I don’t recognize many of the names as I look through the stories fed to me by people I am supposedly following.

I’m charging myself with the Medium crime of favouritism!

But is there anything wrong with that? Isn’t it normal to pay more attention to writers who continually support your journey?

Also, it highlights the need for a great title. I’m not reading your story unless it grabs my attention in a long list of submissions.

Is this an attempt to separate the flowers from the weeds? A stance to discourage writer wannabe’s and put more focus on quality rather than quantity?

Hmmm…

I’m an advocate for change. Although it can be painful to adjust to anything new, shaking things up can be good. I don’t understand why you would mess with liked and appreciated features.

Tony Stubblebine, please bring back the circles with writer profile pics writers follow. It would make what little time many of us have to explore Medium much more interactive and support friendships that have been nurtured.