In 2024, I wrote 365 articles on Medium to test whether the platform was worth it.
Well… I lied a little. I wanted to write 365 articles, but about halfway through the year, Medium decided to ban me. Here’s why.
The Beginning
After writing close to 50 articles, Medium restricted my account features in February. I couldn’t believe it. I was only writing about my author project, my YouTube channel, and my freelancing work. Nothing controversial at all. Yet, a small banner appeared at the top of my homepage saying my account had been banned for violating Medium’s community guidelines.
When I reached out, they replied two weeks later:
Oops, our bad. The automated censorship system — which we don’t officially call a ‘censorship system’ — somehow confused your blog with someone else’s. Here’s your account back. Have fun writing for Medium — the best platform for authors on the web!
Three months later, my account features were restricted again. This time, I assumed it was another automated error. But a week later, they told me I was banned for good for violating community guidelines.
Which guidelines did I violate? They didn’t say.
How did I violate them? No explanation.
Which article caused the ban? Still no answer.
Like many social media platforms, Medium has vague community guidelines that prohibit posting “hateful content.” What counts as hateful? They don’t specify. This gives them the option to shut down any user they dislike.
Write something pro-conservative, and you might get banned in a liberal climate. Write pro-liberal, and the same thing could happen when the political tide changes. It’s absurd.
I considered my Medium writing to be very tame. I never used swear words, insulted anyone, or posted negative comments. Yet I got booted.
Meanwhile, there’s literally pornography on Medium — really explicit and graphic stuff — and that’s apparently fine. But expressing a mild political opinion? That’s where Medium draws the line.
My Thoughts on Medium
Enough about my ban. Here’s what I learned from six months on Medium:
- Medium gives you an audience faster than a website
I did get readers. I didn’t achieve fame, but once I paid $5/month to join the Partner Program, I earned a few dollars here and there. My estimate: after 365 articles, starting from zero, I might have broken even — averaging about $5/month after a year. - Viral articles don’t necessarily pay well
One article “went viral” by my small-profile standards: 180 views, 90 reads, and it earned me 4 cents. Yes, 4 cents. Some magazines pay that per word, which puts Medium’s pay into perspective. - There are “whales” on Medium
The real money comes from readers who pay $15/month. Their reads are worth more than average. Without attracting these whales, making a living is nearly impossible. - I liked the design
Medium is clean, reader-friendly, and visually pleasing. I’ve tried to replicate some of that design on my own website. - Organic growth is possible, but limited
Following people who follow you is a simple trick to gain initial subscribers. The more followers you have, the more your articles appear in feeds. - Most content is generic
Many successful Medium writers write about how to succeed on Medium — a ponzi-like cycle where success breeds advice for the less successful. Unique voices are rare. And for political writing? Be liberal, preferably an Obama fan. - Medium’s payment system is essentially a ponzi scheme
Users pay at least $5/month, some of which goes to writers. But a large portion goes to Medium itself. Not everyone can earn their money back, let alone make a living in that system, as this would make Medium become unviable. - AI writing floods the platform
Articles like “10 unknown facts about the Great Wall” are now everywhere, generated in seconds. Medium is swamped with AI content, making reading less enjoyable. - Your platform can be taken away overnight
The biggest flaw: you can be banned without explanation. No second chance, no appeal. You’re building Medium’s platform, not your own.
When to Write on Medium
If your content is non-political and you want to reach an audience quickly, Medium can work. Post daily articles on topics like cooking, travel, or investing. Follow people and mention in your profile that you refollow everyone. Once you have an audience, write about how to write and make money on Medium.
Don’t expect to break even in the first year, and don’t expect to earn more than $100/month anytime soon.
When Not to Write on Medium
If you want the freedom to speak your mind, avoid Medium. Build your own website, grow your audience, and sell books or services when the demand is there.
Your website — and your writing — is yours. Whatever you do on Medium will never truly be yours.