Engagement Issues

I may only have around 400 followers, so I recognize that I might not be the most credible source to voice concerns. Nonetheless, even prominent writers like Tom Kuegler, who boasts over 50,000 followers, have raised similar grievances. According to him, the Medium algorithm is severely lacking, as only 1% of his followers engage with his content.

For those of us with smaller followings, this issue is particularly daunting. It often forces writers to resort to gimmicks like clickbait or disparaging established authors to attract attention. The algorithm should support all creators, regardless of their follower count, instead of favoring a select few.

Suggestions for Improvement

One perplexing aspect of Medium is the recommendation of other writers' articles alongside and at the end of your own work. While I can see the intention behind this—to help readers discover new authors and provide them with exposure—it presents two significant challenges:

1. The suggested articles predominantly feature well-known writers such as Tim Denning and Matt Lilywhite, who already enjoy considerable audiences. This practice neglects the potential of lesser-known creators who deserve more visibility.
2. Why not include a few pieces from the author of the article being read in the recommendations? This approach would benefit everyone involved, allowing both the author and fellow writers to gain exposure and grow.

There are additional issues, such as the loss of editing features in the mobile app (which Tom Kuegler also discusses) and the relentless promotion of self-help articles regardless of the reader's interests. However, the aforementioned concerns are at the forefront of my mind, as they hinder the empowerment of writers, contrary to Medium's stated mission.

Medium must take steps to rectify these issues.