The Digitalmehmet Content Ecosystem

Lessons for Writers and Digital Platforms

Transcript of an an interactive audio by Dr Michael Broadly

Today, we’re navigating some murky waters as we examine the evolving dynamics of Medium.com. Our guide for this journey is a recent newsletter by Dr. Michael Broadly, a seasoned writer, editor, and advocate for Medium. Longtime listeners will recognize him from previous episodes where his insights about the platform have been invaluable.

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Troubling Observations

Dr. Broadly, a longtime supporter and success story of Medium, recently described the platform as entering a “bizarre world.” This shift in tone is significant, given his history of championing Medium as a space for authentic voices. In his latest critique, he raises several pressing concerns:

Algorithmic Missteps: Medium’s new algorithm, designed to combat spam, is reportedly penalizing genuine writers while failing to address actual spam and scam accounts. This has caused significant earnings drops for many established contributors.

1. Mislabeling of Writers: Implicitly, many writers were labeled spammers despite years of dedicated effort to fight spam on the platform. This misclassification highlights serious flaws in Medium’s algorithmic approach.
2. Scammer Impersonations: Adding insult to injury, he revealed that scammers had cloned his identity on Medium to deceive readers. Despite reporting these issues, Medium’s leadership failed to take adequate action, further eroding trust.

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The Broader Impact

The effects of these issues extend far beyond individual writers:

• Community Erosion: Many authentic writers report feeling undervalued and unsupported, creating widespread dissatisfaction.
• Overwhelmed Editors: Medium’s volunteer editors are struggling to sift through an influx of low-quality, AI-generated content, leading to genuine voices being censored amid the noise.
• Misplaced Priorities: Medium appears to be focusing on superficial engagement metrics, such as claps and highlights, rather than fostering a sustainable ecosystem for quality writing.

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Medium’s Expansion and Growing Pains

Medium recently expanded to 77 new countries, aiming to widen its audience. While expansion is a positive goal, Dr. Broadley argues it has inadvertently flooded the platform with low-quality content. This deluge overwhelms existing moderation systems, leaving volunteer editors unable to maintain quality standards.

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Guidance for Writers: Diversify and Take Control

Dr. Broadly’s message to fellow writers is clear:

• Diversify Your Presence: Don’t rely solely on Medium. Build your audience across multiple platforms, including personal websites, social media, email lists, and alternatives like Substack or Ghost.
• Own Your Content: Focus on creating a portfolio that you control, rather than depending on platforms that can change policies or algorithms overnight.

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What Medium Needs to Do

If Medium wishes to regain the trust of its community and secure its future, it must act decisively. Dr. Broadley suggests the following steps:

1. Acknowledge the Problem: Medium’s leadership should openly admit to the algorithm’s flaws and the resulting impact on writers.
2. Issue an Apology: A sincere apology to affected writers is essential for rebuilding trust.
3. Enhance Transparency: Share how the platform moderates content, tackles spam, and supports genuine creators.
4. Support Editors: Provide volunteer editors with the tools and resources they need to effectively curate content.
5. Refocus Priorities: Shift from vanity metrics to fostering a healthy, sustainable ecosystem for writers and readers.

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A Broader Lesson for Creators

Medium’s challenges reflect a broader trend across online platforms. As creators, we must remain proactive and adaptable in this evolving digital landscape. Platforms are tools, not destinations, and our ultimate goal should be to cultivate independence and resilience.

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Closing Thoughts: The Choice Is Ours

Medium is at a crossroads, and its actions in the coming months will determine its trajectory. For writers, Dr. Broadley’s experience serves as a wake-up call:

• Take control of your creative destiny.
• Build diverse streams of income.
• Advocate for platforms that value quality over metrics.

As we navigate this uncharted digital frontier, the power to shape the future of online content creation lies in our hands. Will you let platforms dictate your path, or will you chart your own course?

Our chief editor Dr Mehmet Yildiz provided guidance to writer today. We link his story here for your information and also starting a healthy dialogue on his post:

Publishing on ILLUMINATION publications is paused until this unfair issue for authentic writers finds an amicable solution.

The choice, as always, is yours.

Here is the link to Dr Broadly’s audio

and his article on Medium.com

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