Whether you’re a new writer thinking of creating a Medium account or an experienced blogger exploring other platforms, Medium remains one of the most popular publishing platforms on the Internet. When you evaluate what it offers, it’s easy to see why—but also why some writers choose to diversify beyond it.

The Pros: Why Medium Is So Appealing

Minimalist Layout

Medium’s editor and reading experience are clean and distraction-free. You don’t have to worry about themes, plugins, or technical setup—the platform handles all of that for you. Writers can simply write and publish.

Optimized for Mobile

Every Medium story automatically looks great on phones, tablets, and desktops. With most readers consuming articles on mobile devices, this built-in responsiveness is a big plus.

Large Built-In Audience

Medium reaches over 100 million readers monthly, giving writers access to an enormous audience that would be difficult to build independently. For many, this is Medium’s greatest advantage: discoverability without marketing.

No Website Design Required

You don’t need to manage your own website or hosting. Medium takes care of layout, typography, and performance. Writers who prefer focusing on ideas rather than design find this simplicity refreshing.

SEO-Friendly (to a Degree)

Because Medium has high domain authority, stories published there can rank well on Google. This means your work benefits from the platform’s credibility, though you don’t have the same granular SEO control that a self-hosted blog would allow.

The Cons: What You Give Up

Limited Customization and Branding

Medium keeps its interface uniform across all writers, which limits creative control. You can format text, insert images, and embeds—but you can’t fully customize layout, fonts, or colors. Building a distinct personal brand is harder.

Monetization Constraints

Writers can earn money through Medium’s Partner Program, which pays based on member reading time—but they can’t run display ads or affiliate banners. If you rely on ad revenue or sponsorships, you’ll need to host your content elsewhere.

Lack of Email List Ownership

While you can gain followers on Medium, you don’t own those reader relationships. You can’t directly export their email addresses, which limits your ability to build an independent audience. Savvy writers link to external newsletters or websites to maintain control.

Harder for New Writers to Build a Following

Medium offers reach, but it’s also highly competitive. The top few percent of writers receive the majority of views and earnings. For newcomers, breaking through requires consistency, networking, and patience.

Platform Dependency

Publishing on any third-party site means accepting platform risk. Medium could change its algorithms, monetization model, or distribution rules. While there’s no sign of failure, the lack of control means your audience can disappear overnight if the platform shifts direction.

How to Use Medium Strategically

• Use it as a distribution channel, not your home base. Keep a personal website or blog where you control your work, and syndicate selected posts to Medium.

• Include links back to your own platforms. Direct readers to your newsletter or main site—for instance, tools like ManyStories.com let writers publish stories and reach readers on their own terms.

• Republish with canonical links. Publish first on your own domain, then share on Medium to tap into its audience while protecting your SEO.

• Leverage publications. Joining established Medium publications can increase reach and credibility.

• Use Medium as a gateway. Treat it as a funnel leading readers toward your independent projects or platforms like ManyStories or ManyStories.com/tool/headlines where you can own your audience and data.

Final Verdict on Medium

Medium is an excellent entry point for writers who want to share ideas without technical hurdles. It offers exposure, simplicity, and an elegant writing experience. But for long-term sustainability, serious writers should pair Medium with an owned platform—one that allows full creative, financial, and audience control.

Think of Medium as your launchpad—and platforms like ManyStories as your creative home.