From Medium's clear stance against AI and scrubbing fake accounts to "farm" groups on Facebook and sharing links. Insights from top writer Walter Rhein.
The boost has ruined Medium for writers. My writing isn’t even seen by my followers now. It’s pay to play if you want to get boosted.
Also, Medium is not a supportive or kind community. I was bullied relentlessly until I had to unlist almost 200 stories. I hope they get new leadership.
I Googled something the other day and read the information which was helpful (not on Medium). I got to the end at it said AI generated. I was so disappointed. I am so happy that Medium are not allowing it.
I love connecting with real people and I agree that Medium and Substack are great places for that.
Almost ALWAYS when I google something it's AI generated. That's why I skip the first search results and scroll down on page #1.
Those AI written stories often don't support those who have taken the time to gather the information. They support those who let AI rewrite/collect all the data from other bloggers and write a text about it.
I'd love to see a "human-made" stamp or something because I don't want to support those writers who only collect data. I want to support those who do the work.
Here's more about Medium's new AI policy from the video I shared today:
So you and Walter are selling your "On Line Writing School" and one of the perks of the PAID membership is access to Walter, who is a boost judge for Medium? That is fascinating.
Badges may be a thing of the past but prioritizing authors on Medium is alive and well. To argue otherwise IMHO would be disingenuous. I have no idea who Walter is and I am not about to fork out a subscription fee to find out. Kristina you have carved out an impressive space for yourself, for that I applaud you. Best of everything to you.
I know what you mean.. I'm definetly NOT one of those writers that get recommended because Medium doesn't like my stories.
Too meta. But that's just part of the game and since I only have a few hours per day I need to laser focus on value and this valuable content I can only create if I stay "meta" and write 80% of the time about Substack, Medium, other platforms, social media in general, marketing your writing etc.
It is a game indeed! You are an 11.6K follower writer on Medium, giving a boost judge exposure to your youtube, Substack following. Meanwhile, Walter is promoting your work on his stack. One hand washes the other, well played.
Imo, Medium didn't reach 1M members because of its Boost Program. It's not as if after August 2023 Medium writers had an epiphany and started producing top-quality content that made readers flock to the platform — if anything, many great writers left (or started using Medium to promote other things), and AI content flourished.
In truth, Medium reached 1M members because in July 2023 (one month before), its paywalled stories became...truly paywalled. In July 2023, Medium made a silent change to the metering system — before this change, readers could read any story with a few tricks (clearing cookies, incognito windows, etc.). After July 2023, the party was over — the only way to read a paywalled story is to become a paying member. So naturally, people had no choice but to pay.
So far, so good, and in my opinion, this was a brilliant move by Medium. The real question is, what would have happened if the MPP formula didn't change — which slashed the earnings of most writers? For example, every great tech writer I know moved to another platform.
P.S.: The fact that entering MPP was also hinged on becoming a paying member also played a smaller role, albeit not so significant.
Interesting. I used to publish my articles on Medium but then my revenue collapsed below the monthly fee I paid, so I came to Substack. I don't understand why the use of AI generated images is forbidden? I use them when I can't find something on Unsplash and to avoid any copyright issues. DO you know why they are forbidden now?
Hi Axel, they aren't forbidden! I also love to use DALL-E or Firefly and you can still use them (except when you're writing for The Writing Cooperative, one of Medium's top 10 publications)
In today's video I answer this question because many writers get it wrong and don't know they can still generate images. All you have to do is to let Medium know it was AI generated.
You have to be careful often when you use freepik for instance you don't see it was AI generated and the recommended credit also doesn't include this info.
Thanks Kristina. U mainly used Unsplash for pictures but I agree generally that its getting harder to determine, which make me wonder if Medium would share what they sue to find out. If one wants to follow the rules, should we have a way to know what's AI and what isn't as well?
It really helps to update and upgrade on our own by changing ourselves periodically. Change is must and mandatory irrespective of age, gender, qualification, for that matter even size of an activity is applicable to all. It works like a guiding factor to evolve and appreciate our own performance. Better to plan well and implement it in an effective and efficient manner shows the path to create a roadmap.
Very clear discussion of what Medium is up to. If I weren't so busy with Substack and other projects, the article made me want to jump on Medium immediately.
It's especially nice to see Medium taking a stand against AI writing. It's too bad every website doesn't do that.
Thanks for sharing this, Kristina and Walter. It's good that Medium has become profitable.
Also I feel that the exclusion of AI-generated writing will be a big benefit to those writers who write genuine stories.
The boost has ruined Medium for writers. My writing isn’t even seen by my followers now. It’s pay to play if you want to get boosted.
Also, Medium is not a supportive or kind community. I was bullied relentlessly until I had to unlist almost 200 stories. I hope they get new leadership.
Brilliant Kristina, as always. I love Medium.
I Googled something the other day and read the information which was helpful (not on Medium). I got to the end at it said AI generated. I was so disappointed. I am so happy that Medium are not allowing it.
I love connecting with real people and I agree that Medium and Substack are great places for that.
Almost ALWAYS when I google something it's AI generated. That's why I skip the first search results and scroll down on page #1.
Those AI written stories often don't support those who have taken the time to gather the information. They support those who let AI rewrite/collect all the data from other bloggers and write a text about it.
I'd love to see a "human-made" stamp or something because I don't want to support those writers who only collect data. I want to support those who do the work.
Here's more about Medium's new AI policy from the video I shared today:
https://youtu.be/px5lmImKXf4?si=XBa59DhzLQC_M69c
What drove me away from Medium is the “top writer” philosophy. It is not level.
Hi, what do you mean with "top writer philosophy". Could you elaborate on this a bit more?
Top writer status is a thing of the past because there are no basges you can gain anymore.
However, Medium currently pushes writers such as Walter and they earn thousands of new followers and views.
If you're the one that gets promoted this is HUGE!
Would love to learn more. Here#s the latest update about Medium's stance on AI with their new AI policy:
https://youtu.be/px5lmImKXf4?si=XBa59DhzLQC_M69c
So you and Walter are selling your "On Line Writing School" and one of the perks of the PAID membership is access to Walter, who is a boost judge for Medium? That is fascinating.
No, Walter is a member of my school.
I'll interview him this week for my YouTube channel.
I offer every interviewee a LIVE spot in my paid membership experience.
E.g. Sarah Fay this week or David within the next weeks
Hope this helps
Badges may be a thing of the past but prioritizing authors on Medium is alive and well. To argue otherwise IMHO would be disingenuous. I have no idea who Walter is and I am not about to fork out a subscription fee to find out. Kristina you have carved out an impressive space for yourself, for that I applaud you. Best of everything to you.
I know what you mean.. I'm definetly NOT one of those writers that get recommended because Medium doesn't like my stories.
Too meta. But that's just part of the game and since I only have a few hours per day I need to laser focus on value and this valuable content I can only create if I stay "meta" and write 80% of the time about Substack, Medium, other platforms, social media in general, marketing your writing etc.
It is a game indeed! You are an 11.6K follower writer on Medium, giving a boost judge exposure to your youtube, Substack following. Meanwhile, Walter is promoting your work on his stack. One hand washes the other, well played.
I think that's the essence of collaborations :) You help one another.
Sarah Fay makes 100k here on Substack and has over 10,000 subscribers.
I ask people for an interview because I think my subscribers/followers and I can learn and be inspired by them.
Imo, Medium didn't reach 1M members because of its Boost Program. It's not as if after August 2023 Medium writers had an epiphany and started producing top-quality content that made readers flock to the platform — if anything, many great writers left (or started using Medium to promote other things), and AI content flourished.
In truth, Medium reached 1M members because in July 2023 (one month before), its paywalled stories became...truly paywalled. In July 2023, Medium made a silent change to the metering system — before this change, readers could read any story with a few tricks (clearing cookies, incognito windows, etc.). After July 2023, the party was over — the only way to read a paywalled story is to become a paying member. So naturally, people had no choice but to pay.
So far, so good, and in my opinion, this was a brilliant move by Medium. The real question is, what would have happened if the MPP formula didn't change — which slashed the earnings of most writers? For example, every great tech writer I know moved to another platform.
P.S.: The fact that entering MPP was also hinged on becoming a paying member also played a smaller role, albeit not so significant.
Hello Nikos, so nice reading from you again. Hope all is well. What are you doing? LinkedIn and Substack?
You're right about the paywall! Now it's harder to read a member-only post.
Short form stories aren't paywalled anymore, you can read the whole piece now. That's another change,.
I loved the 3 free posts idea and also that you could share "friend links" via social.
Now if I share something via X often people are annoyed. They want to have the friend link.
I also think it was smart to offer all the good content and tutorials behind a paywall.
My husband used to read all of those coding tutorials via the 3 free posts or sharing it via socials. Now he became a member.
Interesting. I used to publish my articles on Medium but then my revenue collapsed below the monthly fee I paid, so I came to Substack. I don't understand why the use of AI generated images is forbidden? I use them when I can't find something on Unsplash and to avoid any copyright issues. DO you know why they are forbidden now?
Hi Axel, they aren't forbidden! I also love to use DALL-E or Firefly and you can still use them (except when you're writing for The Writing Cooperative, one of Medium's top 10 publications)
In today's video I answer this question because many writers get it wrong and don't know they can still generate images. All you have to do is to let Medium know it was AI generated.
You have to be careful often when you use freepik for instance you don't see it was AI generated and the recommended credit also doesn't include this info.
Here's the video: https://youtu.be/px5lmImKXf4?si=XBa59DhzLQC_M69c
Thanks Kristina. U mainly used Unsplash for pictures but I agree generally that its getting harder to determine, which make me wonder if Medium would share what they sue to find out. If one wants to follow the rules, should we have a way to know what's AI and what isn't as well?
It really helps to update and upgrade on our own by changing ourselves periodically. Change is must and mandatory irrespective of age, gender, qualification, for that matter even size of an activity is applicable to all. It works like a guiding factor to evolve and appreciate our own performance. Better to plan well and implement it in an effective and efficient manner shows the path to create a roadmap.
Thank you very much Kristina God!
You're welcome! Hope all is well. How are you faring with your Substack newsletter?
Here's today's video about Medium's new AI policy: https://youtu.be/px5lmImKXf4?si=XBa59DhzLQC_M69c
Very clear discussion of what Medium is up to. If I weren't so busy with Substack and other projects, the article made me want to jump on Medium immediately.
It's especially nice to see Medium taking a stand against AI writing. It's too bad every website doesn't do that.
Hi Bill, Thanks for your feedback. As you know, inside the Online Writing School I offer insights into Medium and Substack
For me they are like peanut butter and jelly but I also love that you say I focus 100% on Substack, which is smart!
I also always recommend not to put all eggs in one basket. That's why my newsletter covers "online writing" so you can see what's possible part-time.
How is you Substack newsletter doing? Anything you's like to share with me or the community?
Would be happy to help you.
Just hit reply or send me a DM.
Talk soon,
Kristina
It's early days yet, but I would say things are going well. I'll certainly keep in touch.