Summary

Medium has replaced the 'Top Writer' badge with a new system that features only the top 5 writers and introduces staff-curated reading lists on topic pages.

Abstract

Medium is undergoing significant changes to its platform, notably the removal of the 'Top Writer' badge, which was previously awarded to writers with the most tags and engagement. This has been replaced with a more exclusive recognition, highlighting only the top 5 writers in a given topic, alongside the introduction of curated reading lists by Medium staff. The new topic pages have a more visually appealing design, but the shift has sparked mixed reactions. Some writers and users are concerned that the new system may create a feedback loop, favoring those who already have a large following, and question the relevance of the recommended reading lists. The changes have left some users feeling that Medium has not fully addressed the need for diverse recognition and aspiration for its writers.

Opinions

The author expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of the new top 5 writer system, suggesting it may only reinforce the popularity of those who are already well-known.
There is a concern that the new 'Recommended reading' lists may not be closely related to the topic at hand, potentially diminishing their usefulness to readers.
The author points out that the new system may not provide enough variety or rotation in the featured writers, which could limit exposure for less established writers.
The author suggests that Medium should offer alternative forms of recognition to maintain writer motivation and satisfaction, as the sense of achievement is important to the writing community.
The author notes that changes to billing methods can reset the 'Medium member since' date, which is a source of frustration for long-term members who take pride in their tenure.
The author invites readers to consider what kind of awards or recognition they would like to see implemented by Medium to replace the 'Top Writer' badges.

Your Top Writer Badge is Gone

It’s been replaced with something…sort of

Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels. (edited by me)

This platform is shaking this up like it’s a Tay Tay Swift concert. And the ‘Top Writer’ accolades were put on the chopping block. Boo. However, they are removing that to roll out ultra-swizzy new topics pages. They’re pretty sexy.

Currently, the changes are only rolled out to about half of users so far, so if you aren’t seeing it yet — you’ll see it soon.

Like a truly shady mofo, I have two profiles muah ha ha! That’s two evil staches to twist maniacally. So I can still see the writer badges on my second account:

But I have the new top-writer-less version on my main account (this one):

‘Top Writer’ is becoming a thing of the past. In fairness, they weren’t exactly awarded for true knowledge and depth on the topic. They represented who tagged the 70-something Top Writer tags the most, and had enough engagement on those stories.

I do know that many writers, especially new ones to the platform, coveted these. After all, who doesn’t like winning awards? Even if it’s more of a tag-based participation trophy.

So, what are the top 50 writers being replaced with?

Drum rollllll…….the top 5!

If that felt anticlimactic to you too, yeah. I wasn’t exactly blown away either (not that this place has been blowing my skirt up lately).

‘But Robin, doesn’t that create a feedback loop of followers where the people with the most followers just keep getting more — maintaining their spot there?’

Thanks for playing the game with me here. Yup. And it’s hard to keep up with the Kardashians. At least the new topic pages are sexier than Ryan Reynolds in a whip cream bikini.

Here are the topic pages that we’re accustomed to seeing:

They were essentially headline-based, with the top 50 writers along the side. It was a little lackluster. The new pages are much more alluring looking though:

Did you notice that they added “Recommended lists”? Yup, topic pages now have reading lists, picked by Medium staffers. They often aren’t related to the topic tags though — so I’m a little lost on the point of that. ‘Oh, you like humor? Here’s a list of articles for designers.’

Maybe over time they’ll get recommended reading lists that actually fit with the topic. However, these staffers then would have to regularly update them, which across all Medium topics seems impossible. But who knows, maybe I’ll start finding photojournalism hilarious.

My Thoughts

While I understand what Medium is going for here, I’m not sure they nailed down the meat and taters. Maybe tater tots. The new pages, design wise, had me frothing at the gash — but…

‘Top Writers’

The change from 50 top writers to 5 is just ensuring the already famous get more famous. I think, at the very least, these ‘who to follow’ writers (who are the same as the top writer spots) should rotate on a regular basis.

Also, I already followed all 5 — so call me crazy, but perhaps suggest people that we’re not already following? If I followed these people any more than I do I’d be put on some sort of government watch list.

‘Recommended Reading’

Medium is already picking the boosted stories in our feeds, what comes into our email digests, their staff picks on our homepage, etc. Do we really need more recommendations from Medium staff? Make it the most popular reading lists in that niche, from readers/writers.

Give Us a New Top Writer Goal

When I heard they were replacing the ‘Top Writer’ badges with something exciting I was excited. They gave writers a little reward (one coveted by newer writers), and it made people happier than a tornado in a trailer park. They didn’t replace it with anything though. Give writers something to aspire to get, some sort of gold star (or a wink and a handy).

People want recognition. In my little discord group, we celebrate all the Medium milestones. Reaching certain follower numbers (100, 400, whatever you reach), top writer badges, stories being featured somewhere, your Medium anniversary, etc. Medium should keep the spirit of the Top Writer badges alive with some other type of recognition. Any recognition that says ‘hey, you’re cooler than the other side of the pillow’.

Did you know that if you change your billing method, or your credit card expires that it resets your “Medium member since…” date? I know that because it has upset a lot of people. I have never seen people have such pride in paying for something long-term as we do here. We’re crazy motherfuckers and we want to see that fervorous spirit echoed back to us from Medium!

What award would you like to see Medium implement to replace the Top Writer badges? And you can’t say moolah.

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