Why Medium’s Algorithm Favors the Few and Fails the Many
The dark side of Medium’s algorithm that favors established writers
Uncover the dark side of Medium’s algorithm that favors established voices while suppressing diverse perspectives, stifling creativity, and perpetuating an exclusionary echo chamber.
The Promise of a Democratic Publishing Platform
When I first started writing on Medium, I was captivated by its promise of democratizing publishing. A platform that claimed to elevate quality content based on merit, not fame or following. An egalitarian space where talented writers could find their voices heard alongside industry titans.
But as I delved deeper into the Medium ecosystem, a harsh reality became apparent — the Medium algorithm is rigged to favor the few at the expense of the many.
An Uneven Playing Field Tilted Towards Stars
Medium wields an opaque, proprietary algorithm that supposedly bubbles up the best writing to the platform’s hallowed “Top Writer” lists. Sounds meritocratic, right? Unfortunately, this algorithm has devolved into a perpetual motion machine that compounds success upon success.
If you’re an established writer with a massive following, Medium SEO and its algorithm shower you with attention, distribution, and visibility. But if you’re a talented up-and-comer with fresh ideas, you’re effectively silenced before you even begin.
Suppressing Diverse Voices and Untapped Writers
Rather than nurturing undiscovered talent and amplifying underrepresented voices, Medium’s algorithm actively marginalizes them. It creates an exclusionary echo chamber where a handful of influencers monopolize attention while countless skilled writers toil in obscurity.
This systemic bias not only deprives readers of novel perspectives but actively discourages divergent thinking and creative risk-taking. After all, why bother crafting groundbreaking work if the algorithm ensures it’ll be overshadowed by the usual suspects?
How does the Medium algorithm affect the visibility of new writers?
The Medium algorithm can make it extremely challenging for new writers to gain visibility and traction on the platform.
The algorithm heavily prioritizes content from writers who already have a large following and consistent readership on Medium.
Articles from these established “Top Writers” get prominently featured, distributed to follower feeds, and recommended widely across the platform.
In contrast, posts from new writers with little to no existing Medium audience tend to get buried and hidden from discovery. Their articles rarely surface in recommendations or are distributed beyond their meager follower base (if they have one at all).
This creates a brutal cycle where popular writers continue amassing more views, reads, and followers — while newcomers remain trapped in obscurity no matter how compelling their writing may be.
The algorithm essentially ensures a small subset of elite voices monopolize attention.
To illustrate, let’s say an unknown writer pens a groundbreaking piece filled with novel insights. And on the same day, an influencer writer publishes a pedestrian listicle rehashing conventional wisdom.
The algorithm will overwhelmingly favor promoting and featuring the latter simply because of the writer’s existing clout.
Making matters worse, Medium incentivizes writers to cater to their existing audience rather than push creative boundaries.
The more niche or avant-garde the content, the less likely it is to gain algorithmic traction and Pick status.
Trapped in a Vicious Cycle of Sameness
The more Medium’s elite cadre of established writers dominates, the more the algorithm reinforces their supremacy. This vicious cycle perpetuates a stifling monoculture, suppressing the very diversity and dynamism that should be Medium’s lifeblood.
Real stories of struggle, triumph, and human experience are drowned out by a deluge of vapid self-help pieces, relentless thought-leader navel-gazing, and the same tired narratives regurgitated ad nauseam.
Ways for new writers to overcome the challenges posed by the Medium algorithm
Quality + Quantity = Intensity
Craft numerous high-quality pieces that truly resonate with readers. Quality content gains an authentic audience while publishing quantity and consistency provide the intensity to get on the algorithm’s radar. It’s about merging exceptional writing with a prolific output cadence.
One standout viral piece is rarely enough to sustain long-term momentum on Medium. But by continuously generating a corpus of resonant, remarkable work, you signal to the algorithm that you’re a writer worth distributing widely.
Quality alone gets you readers, but quantity creates the inertia to propel your voice farther.
Related: Build a Medium Presence You Can Be Proud Of
Build an External Audience First
Instead of starting cold on Medium, build an audience on other platforms first —personal blog, Facebook, email list, Pinterest, Quora, Tumblr, etc. Having an existing following that you can direct to your Medium stories gives you an initial view/read boost to get on the algorithm’s radar.
Leverage Publications/Publications
Getting your work accepted into relevant, respected Medium publications can provide essential distribution and exposure beyond what your personal account can manage alone. Publications have their own editorial quality standards and engaged readerships.
Optimize for Readability/Shareability
While quality alone may not be enough, crafting extremely engaging, sticky content optimized for readability can increase completion rates and shareability — signals the algorithm may look for. Add visuals, formatting, storytelling hooks etc.
Interact and Self-Promote (Judiciously)
Become an active community member by reading, commenting, responding, and sharing others’ stories. Judicious self-promotion by sharing your work in relevant spaces can attract a starter audience.
Experiment With Timing/Frequency
Some suggest timing posts perfectly or publishing frequently in short bursts can hack the algorithm and gain temporary boosts in visibility while riding content decay curves.
Embrace Patience and Perseverance
Perhaps most importantly, new writers must have a thick skin and embrace playing the long game. Views/reads tend to compound over time as the algorithm adjusts to consistency. Sticking with it may eventually punch through.
Read this: Why Medium’s Virality Tactics Promote Clickbait
Final Thoughts
The deeper I wandered into the Medium maze, the more disillusioned I became. A platform promising open roads to new creative frontiers turned out to be a cul-de-sac of corporatized conformity.
At its core, Medium’s algorithm actively undermines the diversity, authenticity, and bold risk-taking that should define its very essence.
To thrive as a writer on Medium, the ugly truth is this: Unless you’re already a gilded A-lister with legions of fans, your words will languish in obscurity while the chosen few are beatified as “Top Writers.”
And in the end, the real losers are us — the readers starved of the revolutionary ideas and potent narratives that fall through the cracks.
Until Medium addresses this systemic algorithmic bias, it will remain a stagnant bubble more invested in recycling establishment-approved narratives than empowering the authentic voices of the future.
FAQs
What is the Medium algorithm?
The Medium algorithm is a proprietary system used by the platform to determine which articles get promoted, distributed, and featured prominently. It claims to elevate high-quality content, but many argue it unfairly favors already-established writers.
How does Medium’s algorithm impact new writers?
New writers and fresh voices often struggle for visibility on Medium, as the algorithm prioritizes content from popular, followed writers. This makes it extremely difficult for talented up-and-comers to get discovered.
Why is Medium’s algorithm problematic?
Critics argue Medium’s algorithm creates an echo chamber by disproportionately amplifying a small subset of elite writers. This suppresses diverse perspectives, deters creative risk-taking, and promotes a stifling monoculture.
Will changing the Medium algorithm solve the problems?
While an algorithm overhaul could help balance the playing field, it’s unclear if Medium has incentives to jeopardize its current model that benefits established influencers. Substantive change may require a platform-wide philosophical shift.
