What Is Medium? A Comprehensive Overview of the Popular Writing Platform

In today’s digital era, anyone with a story or idea can become a writer—and Medium is one of the most well-known platforms that makes that possible. Whether you're a professional author, a casual blogger, or someone with a personal experience to share, Medium offers a space to publish your thoughts and potentially get paid for them.

Let’s explore what Medium is, how it works, and what both writers and readers should know before diving in.

What is Medium?

Medium is a web-based writing platform where individuals can publish articles, essays, and personal stories across a broad range of topics—from politics and technology to self-improvement and fiction. Launched in 2012 by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams, Medium has grown into a space that blends social media with traditional blogging.

Unlike starting your own blog (which often involves domain fees, hosting, and technical know-how), Medium allows writers to publish with ease—no setup required. You simply create an account, start writing, and publish. It’s that simple.

Why Writers Use Medium

Writers choose Medium for several key reasons:

• Simplicity: No need to build or maintain a personal website.

• Built-in Audience: Medium has millions of monthly readers, giving writers a chance to reach a wider audience.

• Monetization: Through the Medium Partner Program, eligible writers can earn money based on how much time paying members spend reading their work.

Medium is especially useful for those who want a clean, distraction-free writing experience. The platform supports various content formats—text, images, videos, embeds, and more—and offers an intuitive editor to help writers focus on storytelling.

How to Earn on Medium: The Partner Program

Writers who want to monetize their content can apply to join the Medium Partner Program, which allows them to put stories behind a paywall and earn money based on:

• Member read time: Writers are paid when Medium members read their story for at least 30 seconds. The longer they stay, the more the writer earns.

• Engagement: Stories that receive claps, comments, and highlights from members generate additional revenue.

• Follower bonus: Writers get rewarded when members follow them and continue engaging with their stories over time.

💡 Note: To join the program, you must be:

• At least 18 years old

• A Medium member

• Living in an eligible country

• Have at least one story published in the past six months

• Have a working Stripe account or bank details for payment

Who Uses Medium?

Medium is home to a mix of everyday writers, industry experts, and notable public figures—including former U.S. President Barack Obama. It's a vibrant platform that supports thought-provoking and original storytelling.

Whether you're writing about your career journey, social issues, or just personal insights, there's likely an audience waiting to read it.

Limitations and Criticism

While Medium offers many advantages, it's not without its flaws:

• Censorship Concerns: Some users report that Medium enforces strict content moderation, especially around controversial topics like politics, gender, or social issues. There have been cases where users felt unfairly flagged or suspended.

• No AI-Generated Content: Although you can publish AI-generated content, Medium does not pay for these stories under its Partner Program. Authenticity is key.

• Mixed Reviews: On platforms like Trustpilot, Medium has received a combination of praise and criticism—some complain about lack of transparency or aggressive moderation, while others love its simplicity and fairness.

Medium Membership: What Readers Should Know

Readers can join Medium as members by paying a monthly or annual subscription. This allows them to:

• Access unlimited “members-only” stories

• Support their favorite writers directly

• Discover curated content based on reading history and preferences

Membership revenue is shared with writers, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem.

How to Start Writing on Medium

1. Create an account: Sign up using Google, Facebook, or email.

2. Start writing: Use the simple “Write” button on your dashboard to begin a draft.

3. Publish: Choose whether to publish publicly or behind the paywall (if you're in the Partner Program).

4. Track your performance: Medium offers real-time stats on views, reads, claps, and earnings.

You can also save unfinished drafts and return to them later, making it easy to manage multiple articles.

Final Thoughts

If you're a storyteller, thinker, or creative with ideas to share—and you're looking for a platform that's easy to use, has a built-in audience, and offers earning potential—Medium is worth considering.

It’s a legitimate and respected platform used by both casual writers and public figures. However, it does come with some caveats, especially when it comes to content moderation and earnings from AI-generated work. Still, for many writers, it's a great place to grow an audience, build a portfolio, and get paid doing what they love.