NOTE: This article was originally published on MEDIUM.
Medium finally introduced an authentication system that requires users to confirm their accounts via a mobile number before they can publish stories/articles. The idea of this authentication system is to tackle the issues of a seemingly unbound number of spammers and fake accounts that have been invading the network. For now, this authentication system is seen for new accounts and only when the new writers are going to publish their first story.
For Medium users, this phase is a positive step towards keeping the quality of the published content high and ensuring that the platform will continue to be regarded as a secure place for creators and readers as well.
The Rise of Spam and Fake Accounts on Medium
In line with the constant adaptations of the online medium, cybercriminals are finding new ways to exploit them for their own gain. Over the past few months, Medium has been facing a bigger and bigger flood of bots, spam accounts, and low-quality content that are obscuring the site. Such accounts often confuse the readers with irrelevant, corrupting, or even intrusive information, which is really so cluttering to the platform and takes the path away from the real writers.
Fake accounts can not only be a danger for readers, but more importantly, they can significantly distort the discourse. A lot of times, users have to deal with misinformation, which is quite frustrating. The initial purpose of the website was marginalized due to the abuse of spam accounts, among which the original and unique content became outdated.
Why Is This a Great Move?
Medium’s decision to introduce account authentication is a significant step in the right direction. By requiring users to verify their identity through their phone number before they publish their first story/article, the platform is ensuring that only genuine contributors can share their work. This step serves several important purposes:
1. Improved Authenticity and Trust:
The new authentication process aimed at emphasizing Medium’s commitment to authenticity. By this fact, interested readers are the ones verifying that the writer is a real, rather than a bot-generated, author; thus, they will get a benefit from it. The new arrangement can give the three elements all a new lease on relationships: the connection between the writer and the reader, the human consciousness, and the author’s position.
2. Spam Control and Reduction in Fake Accounts:
The assumption here is that Medium’s requirement of phone number verification will discourage people from setting up and spamming the platform with fake accounts. For its seeming simplicity, though, it is exercised to good effect in the sense that nowadays, it is almost impossible for any user to misuse the software through the intervention of spam bots without being noticed. Consequently, it contributed to cutting the volume of mostly adverse or irrelevant data, thus it made the whole process of reading more straightforward, allowing the readers to find the work they are seeking.
3. Improved Word Choice, More Precision:
The introduction of authentication has the potential to lead to a clean feed on the site. For readers, it constitutes a personalized and lifted-up top-tier choice where they can zero in on the high-quality content instead of scanning through the rubbish of spammy posts. This will not only lead to more openness and interaction between the readers and the writers but will also help the writers, who are doing the hard and meaningful work, to benefit from this.
4. Upgraded Writer Eminence and Appreciation:
Fact-based authorship resulting from having a verified account also brings this benefit for writers. Where deliberate efforts are made in weeding out the spammy accounts, the genuine creators will be preferred by those readers who are actually looking for the quality thing they created. Thus, they might have a better chance of becoming visible and developing within the Medium community. Now, writers can sleep peacefully, knowing that their efforts will not be sidelined by spammy posts or irrelevant articles.
How Does the Authentication Process Work?
The phone number verification process is a simple and direct procedure. Before sending the first story to publication, users should verify their identity by associating a phone number with their account. It is a double-check mechanism used to not only prevent any unknown entity from creating content but also to check whether the actual human beings are doing it.
Despite the fact that this can seem to be very annoying to some, the pros far outnumber the negative factors. The process is fast and can be finished in a couple of steps, but the final result is a powerful shield that makes Medium a much better place.
As for those who do not yet seem to be comfortable with the privacy issue, it is essential to note that phone numbers are only utilized by Medium for authentication purposes. They are not shared with any third party. This point has a calming effect on the users, as they can be sure that their privacy will be respected and still be able to have a superb additional measure of security.
What Does This Mean for Writers?
The new authentication process is a good change for real writers. Although it may give the impression that it only increases the security process, it is a small price to pay for the long-term benefits of a more secure platform. With the platform now being proactive in tackling spam, writers are sure that their contents will not be thrown away or drowned by fake accounts.
As a matter of fact, writers can now use the increased credibility that will be offered to them once they become verified users. People are more likely to engage with articles from verified authors, which might lead to a boost in readership and thus recognition for their work. This could be a game-changer for creators who are looking to establish themselves in the highly competitive field of online writing.
Fighting for a Better Medium: What’s Ahead?
The platform’s new user authentication method has been a beneficial change to the overall platform. In an ever-changing digital space, we are likely to be more involved in the process of platform maintenance, implementing measures that guarantee continuous provision of meaningful and original content. For us, performance rights holders, fighting to keep the platform clean and ethical, it is most welcome.
The choice of Medium to involve mobile phone number authentication is a brave and unavoidable move to the vote against the spam and the fake accounts. This is clear evidence that the web service is devoted to offering a safe and reliable environment both to writers and readers. Thanks to this new tool, Medium is well prepared to be an important space for those who would like to communicate their feelings with the world.
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