Your Medium Stories Should be This Long — April 2022 Data

I analyzed all 262 of the stories featured by Medium in April 2022 and found the best story duration to publish for engagement.

In this report, we will explore the best days to have published a story on Medium during April, 2022. I hope that the information shared here helps you optimize the choices you make in your writing journey.

Towards the middle of this report, you can find a bar graph of engagement for each of the story duration groups.

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.

Table of Contents: Analysis of Medium Featured Stories Over Time

This is a living document that will point you to my latest and past reports.

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Let’s dive into the data from April!

#1. 8-minute Stories

There were twenty-six 8-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 9.92% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from eight were curated across forty-two topics, including Books, Science, and Outdoors. The most frequent topic was Books, which appeared in twenty-six stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 13,229 followers and a median of 377.

Maximum author followers: 110,204
Minimum author followers: 8

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from eight to feature on their homepage was 2,192. The minimum number of words was 1,581. The average number of words was 1,953. The median number of words was 1,988

Reader engagement

There was a total of 28303 claps received on 8-minute stories. The applause came from 2,149 readers.

Average number of claps: 1,089
Median number of claps: 460
Maximum number of claps: 9,682
Minimum number of claps: 54

There was a total of 372 responses received on 8-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 14
Median number of responses: 7
Maximum number of responses: 106
Minimum number of responses: 0

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 8-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, eight was the best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#2. 9-minute Stories

There were sixteen 9-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 6.11% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from nine were curated across forty-two topics, including Design, UX, and Blockchain. The most frequent topic was Design, which appeared in sixteen stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 12,217 followers and a median of 489.

Maximum author followers: 179,857
Minimum author followers: 8

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from nine to feature on their homepage was 2,361. The minimum number of words was 1,793. The average number of words was 2,188. The median number of words was 2,203

Reader engagement

There was a total of 8071 claps received on 9-minute stories. The applause came from 611 readers.

Average number of claps: 504
Median number of claps: 497
Maximum number of claps: 1,184
Minimum number of claps: 17

There was a total of 127 responses received on 9-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 8
Median number of responses: 4
Maximum number of responses: 27
Minimum number of responses: 0

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 9-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, nine was the 2nd best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#3. 6-minute Stories

There were twenty-nine 6-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 11.07% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from six were curated across forty-one topics, including Politics, Work, and Equality. The most frequent topic was Politics, which appeared in twenty-nine stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 13,218 followers and a median of 1,690.

Maximum author followers: 94,250
Minimum author followers: 7

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from six to feature on their homepage was 1,618. The minimum number of words was 1,253. The average number of words was 1,441. The median number of words was 1,452

Reader engagement

There was a total of 16790 claps received on 6-minute stories. The applause came from 1,640 readers.

Average number of claps: 579
Median number of claps: 276
Maximum number of claps: 2,751
Minimum number of claps: 1

There was a total of 303 responses received on 6-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 10
Median number of responses: 6
Maximum number of responses: 63
Minimum number of responses: 0

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 6-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, six was the 3rd best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#4. 5-minute Stories

There were forty-one 5-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 15.65% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from five were curated across fifty-six topics, including Visual Design, Photography, and Film. The most frequent topic was Visual Design, which appeared in forty-one stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 41,312 followers and a median of 3,005.

Maximum author followers: 289,852
Minimum author followers: 33

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from five to feature on their homepage was 1,395. The minimum number of words was 1,012. The average number of words was 1,251. The median number of words was 1,220

Reader engagement

There was a total of 30499 claps received on 5-minute stories. The applause came from 2,795 readers.

Average number of claps: 744
Median number of claps: 585
Maximum number of claps: 4,193
Minimum number of claps: 42

There was a total of 448 responses received on 5-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 11
Median number of responses: 7
Maximum number of responses: 53
Minimum number of responses: 1

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 5-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, five was the 4th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#5. 7-minute Stories

There were twenty-six 7-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 9.92% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from seven were curated across thirty-six topics, including World, Family, and History. The most frequent topic was World, which appeared in twenty-six stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 6,531 followers and a median of 1,560.

Maximum author followers: 55,381
Minimum author followers: 19

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from seven to feature on their homepage was 1,905. The minimum number of words was 1,326. The average number of words was 1,721. The median number of words was 1,728

Reader engagement

There was a total of 17863 claps received on 7-minute stories. The applause came from 1,535 readers.

Average number of claps: 687
Median number of claps: 548
Maximum number of claps: 1,747
Minimum number of claps: 25

There was a total of 232 responses received on 7-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 9
Median number of responses: 6
Maximum number of responses: 37
Minimum number of responses: 1

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 7-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, seven was the 5th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#6. 4-minute Stories

There were fifty 4-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 19.08% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from four were curated across fifty-three topics, including Digital Life, Culture, and Media. The most frequent topic was Digital Life, which appeared in fifty stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 22,683 followers and a median of 4,951.

Maximum author followers: 206,481
Minimum author followers: 15

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from four to feature on their homepage was 1,191. The minimum number of words was 724. The average number of words was 956. The median number of words was 943

Reader engagement

There was a total of 40058 claps received on 4-minute stories. The applause came from 3,115 readers.

Average number of claps: 801
Median number of claps: 497
Maximum number of claps: 2,886
Minimum number of claps: 33

There was a total of 704 responses received on 4-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 14
Median number of responses: 8
Maximum number of responses: 76
Minimum number of responses: 0

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 4-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, four was the 6th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#7. 11-minute Stories

There were five 11-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 1.91% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from eleven were curated across twenty-two topics, including Self-Driving Cars, Design, and Society. The most frequent topic was Self-Driving Cars, which appeared in five stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 23,790 followers and a median of 655.

Maximum author followers: 84,646
Minimum author followers: 275

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from eleven to feature on their homepage was 2,826. The minimum number of words was 2,409. The average number of words was 2,684. The median number of words was 2,717

Reader engagement

There was a total of 6869 claps received on 11-minute stories. The applause came from 420 readers.

Average number of claps: 1,374
Median number of claps: 274
Maximum number of claps: 6,129
Minimum number of claps: 22

There was a total of 86 responses received on 11-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 17
Median number of responses: 5
Maximum number of responses: 69
Minimum number of responses: 3

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 11-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, eleven was the 7th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#8. 3-minute Stories

There were thirty-six 3-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 13.74% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from three were curated across forty-five topics, including Health, Family, and Cryptocurrency. The most frequent topic was Health, which appeared in thirty-six stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 29,148 followers and a median of 12,308.

Maximum author followers: 110,204
Minimum author followers: 42

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from three to feature on their homepage was 873. The minimum number of words was 364. The average number of words was 721. The median number of words was 737

Reader engagement

There was a total of 27099 claps received on 3-minute stories. The applause came from 2,511 readers.

Average number of claps: 753
Median number of claps: 464
Maximum number of claps: 4,220
Minimum number of claps: 87

There was a total of 439 responses received on 3-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 12
Median number of responses: 6
Maximum number of responses: 99
Minimum number of responses: 0

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 3-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, three was the 8th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#9. 14-minute Stories

There were four 14-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 1.53% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from fourteen were curated across fourteen topics, including Culture, Media, and Politics. The most frequent topic was Culture, which appeared in four stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 10,370 followers and a median of 2,182.

Maximum author followers: 37,088
Minimum author followers: 28

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from fourteen to feature on their homepage was 3,613. The minimum number of words was 3,316. The average number of words was 3,506. The median number of words was 3,548

Reader engagement

There was a total of 3316 claps received on 14-minute stories. The applause came from 530 readers.

Average number of claps: 829
Median number of claps: 421
Maximum number of claps: 2,432
Minimum number of claps: 43

There was a total of 73 responses received on 14-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 18
Median number of responses: 8
Maximum number of responses: 58
Minimum number of responses: 0

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 14-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, fourteen was the 9th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#10. 22-minute Stories

There was one 22-minute story featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 0.38% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from twenty two were curated across four topics, including Artificial Intelligence, Digital Life, and Media. The most frequent topic was Artificial Intelligence, which appeared in one stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 818 followers and a median of 818.

Maximum author followers: 818
Minimum author followers: 818

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from twenty two to feature on their homepage was 5,721. The minimum number of words was 5,721. The average number of words was 5,721. The median number of words was 5,721

Reader engagement

There was a total of 1403 claps received on 22-minute stories. The applause came from 183 readers.

Average number of claps: 1,403
Median number of claps: 1,403
Maximum number of claps: 1,403
Minimum number of claps: 1,403

There was a total of 21 responses received on 22-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 21
Median number of responses: 21
Maximum number of responses: 21
Minimum number of responses: 21

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 22-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, twenty two was the 10th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

On NYT Magazine on AI: Resist the Urge to be Impressed by Emily M. Bender

#11. 10-minute Stories

There were ten 10-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 3.82% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from ten were curated across twenty-four topics, including Mindfulness, Mental Health, and Self. The most frequent topic was Mindfulness, which appeared in ten stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 41,476 followers and a median of 4,353.

Maximum author followers: 150,391
Minimum author followers: 31

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from ten to feature on their homepage was 2,703. The minimum number of words was 2,196. The average number of words was 2,454. The median number of words was 2,456

Reader engagement

There was a total of 7744 claps received on 10-minute stories. The applause came from 753 readers.

Average number of claps: 774
Median number of claps: 449
Maximum number of claps: 2,938
Minimum number of claps: 146

There was a total of 103 responses received on 10-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 10
Median number of responses: 7
Maximum number of responses: 30
Minimum number of responses: 0

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 10-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, ten was the 11th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#12. 2-minute Stories

There were seven 2-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 2.67% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from two were curated across twelve topics, including Mental Health, Work, and Society. The most frequent topic was Mental Health, which appeared in seven stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 31,288 followers and a median of 3,978.

Maximum author followers: 158,844
Minimum author followers: 61

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from two to feature on their homepage was 574. The minimum number of words was 368. The average number of words was 501. The median number of words was 521

Reader engagement

There was a total of 6119 claps received on 2-minute stories. The applause came from 673 readers.

Average number of claps: 874
Median number of claps: 291
Maximum number of claps: 2,271
Minimum number of claps: 39

There was a total of 104 responses received on 2-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 15
Median number of responses: 4
Maximum number of responses: 50
Minimum number of responses: 0

Some of the stories in this group did not allow responses.

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 2-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, two was the 12th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#13. 15-minute Stories

There were two 15-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 0.76% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from fifteen were curated across seven topics, including LGBTQIA, Feminism, and Equality. The most frequent topic was LGBTQIA, which appeared in two stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 1,051 followers and a median of 1,051.

Maximum author followers: 2,057
Minimum author followers: 45

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from fifteen to feature on their homepage was 3,953. The minimum number of words was 3,859. The average number of words was 3,906. The median number of words was 3,906

Reader engagement

There was a total of 2473 claps received on 15-minute stories. The applause came from 161 readers.

Average number of claps: 1,237
Median number of claps: 1,237
Maximum number of claps: 2,315
Minimum number of claps: 158

There was a total of 40 responses received on 15-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 20
Median number of responses: 20
Maximum number of responses: 37
Minimum number of responses: 3

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 15-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, fifteen was the 13th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#14. 12-minute Stories

There was one 12-minute story featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 0.38% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from twelve were curated across three topics, including Culture, Travel, and Nonfiction. The most frequent topic was Culture, which appeared in one stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 171 followers and a median of 171.

Maximum author followers: 171
Minimum author followers: 171

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from twelve to feature on their homepage was 2,887. The minimum number of words was 2,887. The average number of words was 2,887. The median number of words was 2,887

Reader engagement

There was a total of 287 claps received on 12-minute stories. The applause came from 10 readers.

Average number of claps: 287
Median number of claps: 287
Maximum number of claps: 287
Minimum number of claps: 287

There was a total of 1 responses received on 12-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 1
Median number of responses: 1
Maximum number of responses: 1
Minimum number of responses: 1

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 12-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, twelve was the 14th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

Delirious Dancing: the Diabolical Discipline of Flamenco Bulerías by Rebecca W Morris

#15. 13-minute Stories

There were four 13-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 1.53% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from thirteen were curated across fourteen topics, including Philosophy, Society, and Self. The most frequent topic was Philosophy, which appeared in four stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 5,318 followers and a median of 3,151.

Maximum author followers: 14,961
Minimum author followers: 9

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from thirteen to feature on their homepage was 3,421. The minimum number of words was 2,613. The average number of words was 3,070. The median number of words was 3,123

Reader engagement

There was a total of 1122 claps received on 13-minute stories. The applause came from 54 readers.

Average number of claps: 281
Median number of claps: 300
Maximum number of claps: 372
Minimum number of claps: 151

There was a total of 21 responses received on 13-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 5
Median number of responses: 5
Maximum number of responses: 9
Minimum number of responses: 2

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 13-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, thirteen was the 15th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#16. 17-minute Stories

There was one 17-minute story featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 0.38% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from seventeen were curated across five topics, including Politics, Education, and Parenting. The most frequent topic was Politics, which appeared in one stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 2,188 followers and a median of 2,188.

Maximum author followers: 2,188
Minimum author followers: 2,188

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from seventeen to feature on their homepage was 4,303. The minimum number of words was 4,303. The average number of words was 4,303. The median number of words was 4,303

Reader engagement

There was a total of 782 claps received on 17-minute stories. The applause came from 45 readers.

Average number of claps: 782
Median number of claps: 782
Maximum number of claps: 782
Minimum number of claps: 782

There was a total of 3 responses received on 17-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 3
Median number of responses: 3
Maximum number of responses: 3
Minimum number of responses: 3

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 17-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, seventeen was the 16th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

Childism, Under the Guise of Parental Rights, Is Detrimental to Children by Bruce Lesley

#17. 27-minute Stories

There were two 27-minute stories featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 0.76% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from twenty seven were curated across eight topics, including Media, World, and Social Media. The most frequent topic was Media, which appeared in two stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 86,332 followers and a median of 86,332.

Maximum author followers: 158,844
Minimum author followers: 13,820

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from twenty seven to feature on their homepage was 7,114. The minimum number of words was 6,893. The average number of words was 7,004. The median number of words was 7,004

Reader engagement

There was a total of 4240 claps received on 27-minute stories. The applause came from 408 readers.

Average number of claps: 2,120
Median number of claps: 2,120
Maximum number of claps: 3,392
Minimum number of claps: 848

There was a total of 97 responses received on 27-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 49
Median number of responses: 49
Maximum number of responses: 88
Minimum number of responses: 9

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 27-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, twenty seven was the 17th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

#18. 16-minute Stories

There was one 16-minute story featured by Medium in April, 2022. These stories accounted for 0.38% of all stories (262) featured during April. The stories from sixteen were curated across five topics, including Travel, Design, and History. The most frequent topic was Travel, which appeared in one stories.

The authors of these stories had an average of 5,545 followers and a median of 5,545.

Maximum author followers: 5,545
Minimum author followers: 5,545

Formatting

The greatest number of words in a single story that Medium selected from sixteen to feature on their homepage was 3,402. The minimum number of words was 3,402. The average number of words was 3,402. The median number of words was 3,402

Reader engagement

There was a total of 10 claps received on 16-minute stories. The applause came from 8 readers.

Average number of claps: 10
Median number of claps: 10
Maximum number of claps: 10
Minimum number of claps: 10

There was a total of 0 responses received on 16-minute stories.

Average number of responses: 0
Median number of responses: 0
Maximum number of responses: 0
Minimum number of responses: 0

Ranking based on engagement

Based on an analysis of the averages of this engagement data from 16-minute stories that were featured on Medium’s homepage, sixteen was the 18th best day to publish a story on Medium in April, 2022.

Sample of stories

The Highway Projects That Almost Destroyed Copenhagen by Mikael Colville-Andersen

Table of Contents: Analysis of Medium Featured Stories Over Time

This is a living document that will point you to my latest and past reports.

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