I had been a paying member of Medium since the Ev days, before the creation of the Medium Partner Program. I, too, never wrote for money, and rarely earned even $1.00 per month. Until I wrote a story about being a hard NO on their ‘premier’ level of membership, that cost three times the monthly rate, and came with vague promises of ‘more…
I had been a paying member of Medium since the Ev days, before the creation of the Medium Partner Program. I, too, never wrote for money, and rarely earned even $1.00 per month. Until I wrote a story about being a hard NO on their ‘premier’ level of membership, that cost three times the monthly rate, and came with vague promises of ‘more money’ for all, I rarely even looked at my income stats.
That is when I noticed the changes beginning. They happened too many, too fast. Nobody had any idea what to make of them, what they meant, or even how to judge them against any revenue changes, up or down.
Then came the personnel changes.
The layoffs began in earnest about a year ago. I noticed that one of my favourite Medium execs was no longer writing; it wasn’t long that the first story about layoffs of high-level folks began to appear.
It was also about the time focus on AI and how it was affecting writing in general, began to appear. Whether there is a connection or not is for smarter, more dedicated Mediumites to determine.
I left in January, when my annual subscription was to renew. I will not return.
I didn't mention AI partly because, even though the original version of this story wasn't all that long ago, AI was only beginning to become invasive on Medium. AI is obviously having an impact there. Their reaction has been to change their earnings algorithm yet again. I didn't see the point in updating the story to include AI. Too much additional research given that I think Medium is likely either on its last legs, or will get purchased outright, which will mean yet more algorithm changes.
I had been a paying member of Medium since the Ev days, before the creation of the Medium Partner Program. I, too, never wrote for money, and rarely earned even $1.00 per month. Until I wrote a story about being a hard NO on their ‘premier’ level of membership, that cost three times the monthly rate, and came with vague promises of ‘more money’ for all, I rarely even looked at my income stats.
That is when I noticed the changes beginning. They happened too many, too fast. Nobody had any idea what to make of them, what they meant, or even how to judge them against any revenue changes, up or down.
Then came the personnel changes.
The layoffs began in earnest about a year ago. I noticed that one of my favourite Medium execs was no longer writing; it wasn’t long that the first story about layoffs of high-level folks began to appear.
It was also about the time focus on AI and how it was affecting writing in general, began to appear. Whether there is a connection or not is for smarter, more dedicated Mediumites to determine.
I left in January, when my annual subscription was to renew. I will not return.
I didn't mention AI partly because, even though the original version of this story wasn't all that long ago, AI was only beginning to become invasive on Medium. AI is obviously having an impact there. Their reaction has been to change their earnings algorithm yet again. I didn't see the point in updating the story to include AI. Too much additional research given that I think Medium is likely either on its last legs, or will get purchased outright, which will mean yet more algorithm changes.
Thanks for the comment!