Thank you for shedding light on this dramatic incident on Medium with such elegance and accuracy, drawing from your sharp observations and valuable experiences. I also deeply appreciate your kind words. Your contributions to my publications as a senior volunteer editor—particularly in resolving some of the most challenging issues—have been invaluable. I greatly admire your focus on Substack now, which truly highlights your creative energy and dedication.
Thank you, Britni, for being such a valuable member of this wonderful community and for your commitment to speaking the truth no matter what the consequences could be.
Yup, reading comments by Stubbleblind, I got the impression he believes the greater number of readers on the platform brings in the money... but wtf do they read if not the articles we effin' write? I also edit two publications. My free time, my patience, my eye for detail, flow, grammar and copyright as well as sensitivity to Ai writing all were freely given to Medium. And for what? Yesterday I 'earned' 11 cents. So eff that. I'd rather give my writing away for free on Substack in protest. If folks buy me a coffee or something, that's good enough. It still beats what I get for my time on Medium. I wont' be renewing my FOM.
I enjoyed your article, Britni. I've followed the Medium debacle with interest, but I'm not as invested as many other writers. What impressed me about your writing was the consistent, steady POV. It wasn't emotional, angry, incredulous, or full of blame. This is how it used to be, then a slide into disaster and a probable hero at the end (btw, I agree). Excellent read, thanks!
Medium has fallen apart in recent times. There seems to be no guiding intelligence in charge wrestling things back at all. So perhaps AI is now running the place.
You’ve told this story like a true legend, mate. You’re the epitome of a true-blue Aussie woman, shining a light on American society in a way only you can. Fair dinkum, hats off to you, Britni—your words hit the mark every time. Bloody ripper effort! I’ve known Dr. Yildiz for decades, mate, and let me tell ya, he’s a deadset legend. He’s empowered countless people over the years and even helped us oldies like me take the plunge into the daunting digital ocean. Fair dinkum, he’s a bloke who truly makes a difference! Too right, mate—Medium should be rewarding him, not chucking him in distribution jail. Talk about biting the hand that feeds 'em and shooting themselves in the foot at the same time. Fair dinkum, they need to wake up and sort this mess out!
What a sad story that the Medium leaders watch what happens without reacting - they act as if there is no alternative. Well, it is - and we‘re all here now!
Hi Britni, thank you for writing this wonderful story. You also inspired me to write one as I have known Dr Yildiz for long. He invited me to Medium and made me a writer, an editor, content curator, publication owner, and even media coordinator of his remarkable publications. I wish I could be a creative storyteller like you. I learn a lot from your style. Thanks for being a source of inspiration and education to me.
For such a successful publication to stop approving articles on Medium, it's telling and I don't think bodes well for the platform. It is a sad day for Medium users.
Well put. I NEVER saw ANY advantage on the Friend of Medium. I didn't see an advantage (MY perspective is different) in becoming aaMedium PAID subscriber because... Well, Medium is NOT my friend. I moved to Vocal Media long ago, and I am sort of happy with it. The thing is, the Medium Partner Program is a FARSE, a joke!, MPP is the only way to qualify for earnings at Medium since the 2024 policy change.
At Medium NOT ALL WRITERS ARE TREATED EQUALLY. But most people didn't care because THEY were on the exclusive side, and now that all of that has crumbled, suddenly everybody there feels what the Medium's Third World feels like. It may be a lesson, or karma, who knows...
Hi Britni, I too am a #Medium_refugee lol (just borrowing it from TikTok). I love Medium still but I can't bring myself to spend hours on platform to earn a few cents. So I left. Substack isn't bad at all. Hopefully we can bring enough content here to make a few dollars. Mitch.
I have recently arrived at the same conclusions. I identified a massive obvious bot farm (likely originating from China) more than three months ago, and those accounts are still producing AI-generated content behind the paywall. This earnings fiasco is the final slap in the face, as they pull the plug on legitimate writers like us.
I wouldn't be surprised if they are using AI to analyse and reverse-engineer the algorithm. See what works and what doesn't, get ahead of Medium's decision loop.
Yup, the collapse in earnings is what drove me here. I'm still there on Medium but I've cut back on time spent online. They want the platform to die, if they don't it's not obvious given the way they're just constantly reminding us that it's a waste of time to create there.
I had hoped that management knew what they were doing and could see what was coming when they widened out the payment system to all those new countries. As an editor for a large pub, I knew exactly how it would be seen. The perfect storm, I guess, with cheap and efficient AI coming on stream.
I agree. 1 Million subscriptions at $5 per month (some $15) goes a long way in incentivizing everyone to 'monetize' there. I think Substack is the future in that we can personalize our content in a way that Ai would be hard pressed to replicate convincingly.
Now I just have to figure out how to do a 'live' and I'm in. Lol
The publication editors and nominators are doing their best, but there are just too many posts for a few humans to review. Dr. Mehmet is correct, reading time should be the gold standard instead of engagement. That should help the algorithm a big.
All they need do is reveal the clap button after the full read time of the article. That way writers will get their full reads. Easy fix. (as a non technical person that's how I see it, I don't know how the coding would be implemented).
If you don't like an article, just move on. If you do, read it, clap etc. You're happy, the writer gets paid and the scammers have less incentive to eff up the whole shebang.
Thank you for shedding light on this dramatic incident on Medium with such elegance and accuracy, drawing from your sharp observations and valuable experiences. I also deeply appreciate your kind words. Your contributions to my publications as a senior volunteer editor—particularly in resolving some of the most challenging issues—have been invaluable. I greatly admire your focus on Substack now, which truly highlights your creative energy and dedication.
Thank you, Britni, for being such a valuable member of this wonderful community and for your commitment to speaking the truth no matter what the consequences could be.
You are most kind. It is outrageous the way Medium has trashed such a wonderful platform, treating its most valuable assets with disdain.
Yup, reading comments by Stubbleblind, I got the impression he believes the greater number of readers on the platform brings in the money... but wtf do they read if not the articles we effin' write? I also edit two publications. My free time, my patience, my eye for detail, flow, grammar and copyright as well as sensitivity to Ai writing all were freely given to Medium. And for what? Yesterday I 'earned' 11 cents. So eff that. I'd rather give my writing away for free on Substack in protest. If folks buy me a coffee or something, that's good enough. It still beats what I get for my time on Medium. I wont' be renewing my FOM.
I enjoyed your article, Britni. I've followed the Medium debacle with interest, but I'm not as invested as many other writers. What impressed me about your writing was the consistent, steady POV. It wasn't emotional, angry, incredulous, or full of blame. This is how it used to be, then a slide into disaster and a probable hero at the end (btw, I agree). Excellent read, thanks!
Medium has fallen apart in recent times. There seems to be no guiding intelligence in charge wrestling things back at all. So perhaps AI is now running the place.
I definitely feel AI is wrecking Medium. It's the elephant in the room
You’ve told this story like a true legend, mate. You’re the epitome of a true-blue Aussie woman, shining a light on American society in a way only you can. Fair dinkum, hats off to you, Britni—your words hit the mark every time. Bloody ripper effort! I’ve known Dr. Yildiz for decades, mate, and let me tell ya, he’s a deadset legend. He’s empowered countless people over the years and even helped us oldies like me take the plunge into the daunting digital ocean. Fair dinkum, he’s a bloke who truly makes a difference! Too right, mate—Medium should be rewarding him, not chucking him in distribution jail. Talk about biting the hand that feeds 'em and shooting themselves in the foot at the same time. Fair dinkum, they need to wake up and sort this mess out!
Dr Mehmet has made a difference to countless people, myself included. No praise is too high.
What a sad story that the Medium leaders watch what happens without reacting - they act as if there is no alternative. Well, it is - and we‘re all here now!
Yup. Say should we all start using a hashtag to find each other here? I propose #Medium_refugee.
LOL.
Hi Britni, thank you for writing this wonderful story. You also inspired me to write one as I have known Dr Yildiz for long. He invited me to Medium and made me a writer, an editor, content curator, publication owner, and even media coordinator of his remarkable publications. I wish I could be a creative storyteller like you. I learn a lot from your style. Thanks for being a source of inspiration and education to me.
I feel the same way about you, Aiden! You have skills that I lack. We are both united in admiration of this remarkable man, though!
For such a successful publication to stop approving articles on Medium, it's telling and I don't think bodes well for the platform. It is a sad day for Medium users.
Great article and so very true! I wholeheartedly agree with you sentiments and hope that others will follow his leadership
Well put. I NEVER saw ANY advantage on the Friend of Medium. I didn't see an advantage (MY perspective is different) in becoming aaMedium PAID subscriber because... Well, Medium is NOT my friend. I moved to Vocal Media long ago, and I am sort of happy with it. The thing is, the Medium Partner Program is a FARSE, a joke!, MPP is the only way to qualify for earnings at Medium since the 2024 policy change.
At Medium NOT ALL WRITERS ARE TREATED EQUALLY. But most people didn't care because THEY were on the exclusive side, and now that all of that has crumbled, suddenly everybody there feels what the Medium's Third World feels like. It may be a lesson, or karma, who knows...
Here is a better explanation:
https://dgrimaldo.medium.com/making-money-writing-at-medium-or-substack-c92832c2cef3
Hi Britni, I too am a #Medium_refugee lol (just borrowing it from TikTok). I love Medium still but I can't bring myself to spend hours on platform to earn a few cents. So I left. Substack isn't bad at all. Hopefully we can bring enough content here to make a few dollars. Mitch.
I have recently arrived at the same conclusions. I identified a massive obvious bot farm (likely originating from China) more than three months ago, and those accounts are still producing AI-generated content behind the paywall. This earnings fiasco is the final slap in the face, as they pull the plug on legitimate writers like us.
I wouldn't be surprised if they are using AI to analyse and reverse-engineer the algorithm. See what works and what doesn't, get ahead of Medium's decision loop.
With unfortunate consequences for the rest of us.
Yup, the collapse in earnings is what drove me here. I'm still there on Medium but I've cut back on time spent online. They want the platform to die, if they don't it's not obvious given the way they're just constantly reminding us that it's a waste of time to create there.
I had hoped that management knew what they were doing and could see what was coming when they widened out the payment system to all those new countries. As an editor for a large pub, I knew exactly how it would be seen. The perfect storm, I guess, with cheap and efficient AI coming on stream.
I agree. 1 Million subscriptions at $5 per month (some $15) goes a long way in incentivizing everyone to 'monetize' there. I think Substack is the future in that we can personalize our content in a way that Ai would be hard pressed to replicate convincingly.
Now I just have to figure out how to do a 'live' and I'm in. Lol
I left Medium. Just waiting for that subscription to expire in a few weeks.
The publication editors and nominators are doing their best, but there are just too many posts for a few humans to review. Dr. Mehmet is correct, reading time should be the gold standard instead of engagement. That should help the algorithm a big.
All they need do is reveal the clap button after the full read time of the article. That way writers will get their full reads. Easy fix. (as a non technical person that's how I see it, I don't know how the coding would be implemented).
If you don't like an article, just move on. If you do, read it, clap etc. You're happy, the writer gets paid and the scammers have less incentive to eff up the whole shebang.
Just a thought.
I like it! You have my vote!
Terrible analogy to use while people are dying in fires and losing their homes.
Three letters:
A
P
T