 The Reasons Why I Stopped Publishing and Reading on Medium. WHY I LEFT MEDIUM Medium.com once felt like a good place to share my thoughts, connect with like-minded individuals, and explore new points of view. It was a platform for both writers and readers, where content could be discovered and shared. But over time, something changed. What once felt like a good community began to feel more like a commercial enterprise, and the experience — both as a creator and as a reader — became less fulfilling. After much reflection, I’ve decided to stop using Medium. Here’s why: The Changes Medium started with a mission: to provide a space for thoughtful, quality content. It was a place where anyone could write and be discovered, where readers could find articles that spoke to them without the need of ads and clickbait. But as the platform grew, so did its ambitions. Monetization became a primary focus, and the experience of using Medium began to shift. For creators, this shift was evident. The introduction of the Partner Program turned writing into a numbers game. The focus on "claps" and "views" made it hard to avoid the pressure of writing for algorithms instead of passion. The creative freedom that once drew me to the platform started to feel unnatural by the need to please the system. The joy of writing was replaced by a sense of obligation to create content that would perform well, not necessarily content that mattered. The Reader Experience As a reader, I noticed a similar decline. Medium’s algorithmic recommendations became increasingly narrow and frustrating, feeding me more of the same instead of helping me discover fresh perspectives on what I tend to read. Even subjects that I was never interested to read at all (i.e. politics, money, or AI) were constantly being bombarded on my page. The paywall also became a source of frustration. While I understand the need for writers to be compensated, the constant push to "upgrade" and the limited access to articles made the platform feel more like a closed community rather than an open forum. The balance between free content and paid content made it difficult to explore new people without hitting a wall. Also, Medium is cluttered with ads and promotional content, making it feel more like a marketing tool than a space for genuine expression and discussion. It's worth to mention that I don't run ads on my website. And to complete the bad experience, the amount of clickbait on the platform transformed it in a place to forget. Personally, I’ve reached a point where I saw myself avoiding Medium links altogether. Whenever I was searching for information or inspiration, if a link was directing me to Medium, I was immediately looking for alternatives.
The Exclusion of Brazil from the Partner Program The last factor that contributed to my decision to leave Medium was the platform’s long-standing exclusion of Brazil from the Partner Program. Despite repeated promises to include Brazil, this never materialized, leaving Brazilian creators like myself without access to the same opportunities as others. As a Brazilian witnessing this ongoing neglect, and I could no longer support a platform that consistently overlooked my country and its creators. This exclusion was not just a missed opportunity for monetization but a clear signal that Medium didn’t value the voices of Brazilian writers as much as those from other regions. A New Direction Medium’s evolution is not something that should be considered completely wrong — it’s just no longer the platform for me at this moment of life. I believe in the importance of meaningful, authentic content, and I’ve come to realize that I no longer find that on Medium. My creations were basically a desire to connect, to share ideas that resonate with others. But when that connection is fully filtered through an algorithm, something gets lost. The writers who rise to the top are often those who play the game well, not necessarily those with the best insights or most valuable perspectives. Plus, the self-proclaimed experts and "influencers" who often regurgitate the same ideas are all around the platform nowadays.
What’s Next? Leaving Medium doesn’t mean I’m giving up on writing or reading — it just means I’m seeking out new spaces that align more closely with my values. I’m excited to explore other platforms where creativity and connection are prioritized, where content isn’t measured solely by metrics but by the impact it has on those who engage with it. For those who have followed my work on Medium, thank you for your support. I’ll continue to share my thoughts and ideas, just in a different space — one that feels more like a true community and less like a content factory. A New Home I’ll be concentrating my efforts here on my personal journal, the Starlight Showcase Journal, hosted on my own website, where I can showcase my music, art, tales, stories, eBooks, articles, and reviews without having to play games. These platforms not only allow me to maintain creative control but also provide a more focused and cohesive space for my content.
By keeping my posts within my own journal, I’m able to avoid the duplication that became an issue on Medium. Instead of fluctuating my thoughts across multiple platforms, I can now present them in one central location, making it easier for followers to find and engage with my work. I’m excited about this new chapter, where I can focus more on quality content and meaningful connections. By shifting away from Medium and investing in these platforms, I’m looking forward to a more rewarding and aligned creative journey. |
