What is Medium and when was it launched?

Medium is an American online publishing platform for written content such as articles and blogs. It was launched in August 2012 by Evan Williams and is owned by A Medium Corporation. It is considered a form of social journalism and is often used as a blog host.

Who are the founders of Medium?

Medium was founded by Evan Williams, who is also known for co-founding Blogger and Twitter. He developed Medium as a platform for longer-form content than was possible on Twitter at the time.

What was the primary motivation behind the creation of Medium?

Evan Williams created Medium to provide a platform where users could publish writings and documents longer than Twitter's then-140-character limit. He aimed to foster higher quality content and more thoughtful expression online.

What type of business is A Medium Corporation?

A Medium Corporation is classified as a privately held company.

In which languages is content typically available on Medium?

While Medium is primarily an English-language platform, specific publications hosted on it can be in Spanish, French, and other languages.

What is Medium's approach to measuring user engagement?

Medium prioritizes optimizing the total time visitors spend reading content on the site over simply maximizing the number of unique visitors. Evan Williams, a co-founder, criticized the metric of unique visitors as volatile and less meaningful for their objectives.

How does Medium compensate authors for their content?

Medium began paying authors in 2017 based on user appreciation, initially through a 'like' button. This model was later adapted to also consider the amount of time readers spent reading the articles, alongside user engagement metrics.

What revenue models has Medium employed or explored?

Medium has generated revenue through native advertising and sponsorships for certain article series. The platform has also explored models like micropayments, gratuities, and patronage, while moving away from a reliance on banner advertising.

What strategic shift did Medium announce in March 2021?

In March 2021, Medium announced a change in its publishing strategy, deciding to reduce its own internal publications and increase support for independent writers on the platform.

Describe the 'clap' feature introduced on Medium.

Introduced in August 2017, the 'clap' feature replaced the previous 'Recommend' button. Readers can 'clap' multiple times (up to 50 per story) to show appreciation for an article, and this metric influences how authors are paid.

What are the options for creating an account on Medium?

Users can create a Medium account by signing up with their Facebook or Google accounts. Alternatively, registration is possible using an email address, particularly when using the Medium mobile application.

What benefits does a Medium membership offer?

A Medium membership, available through a monthly or yearly subscription fee, provides access to exclusive content, audio narrations of popular stories, and an enhanced bookmark section.

How does the Medium Partner Program work for writers?

The Medium Partner Program compensates writers based on the depth of reading by Medium members. As members spend more time reading a writer's work, the writer earns more, with a portion of the member's subscription fee distributed accordingly.

What policy did Medium implement regarding AI-generated content in May 2024?

Effective May 1, 2024, Medium banned AI-generated content from being eligible for paywalls and payouts through its Partner Program.

How does Medium's content organization differ from platforms like Blogger?

Medium organizes and sorts posts primarily by topic, unlike platforms such as Blogger, which traditionally sorted content by writer. This topical approach helps audiences discover content based on their interests.

What is a 'Publication' on Medium?

A 'Publication' on Medium is a dedicated space with its own homepage, functioning similarly to a magazine or newspaper. These publications can have assigned editors and allow for draft management.

Which science and technology website did Medium acquire in 2013?

In 2013, Medium acquired the science and technology website *Matter*.

What was the *Cuepoint* publication on Medium?

*Cuepoint* was Medium's publication focused on music, launched in 2014. It featured essays on artists and music trends, written by community contributors and journalists, and was edited by Jonathan Shecter.

What was the *Backchannel* publication on Medium?

*Backchannel* was a technology-focused publication on Medium, edited by Steven Levy. It was later acquired by Condé Nast in 2016.

Which prominent website, initially hosted on Medium, later moved to Vox Media?

The website *The Ringer*, founded by Bill Simmons, was initially hosted on Medium starting in February 2016. It later moved to Vox Media in August 2017.

What new publications did Medium launch in 2019?

In 2019, Medium launched seven new publications: GEN (politics, power, and culture), OneZero (tech and science), Marker (business), Elemental (health and wellness), Focus (productivity), Zora (women of color), and Level (men of color).

Who were listed as Medium's board members in June 2020?

As of June 2020, Medium's board members included Evan Williams, Biz Stone, Josh Elman (representing Greylock Partners), Ben Horowitz, and Colin Kaepernick.

What corporate governance structure did Medium initially use?

Medium initially adopted holacracy as its structure for corporate governance.

Why did Medium discontinue its use of holacracy?

Medium moved away from holacracy in 2016, citing difficulties in coordinating large projects, issues with record-keeping, and negative public perception of the system.

How was Medium described in a 2019 Nieman Lab article regarding its evolution?

A 2019 Nieman Lab article characterized Medium's history as involving 'countless pivots,' describing the platform as an 'endless thought experiment into what publishing on the internet could look like'.

What action did the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) take regarding Medium in January 2016?

The MCMC issued a take-down notice for an article published by *Sarawak Report* on Medium. Medium declined to remove the content without a court order, resulting in the site being blocked in Malaysia until May 2018.

When was Medium blocked in Egypt, and when was access restored?

Medium was blocked in Egypt around June 2017 during a crackdown on media websites. Access was restored in late 2022.

What led to Medium being blocked in mainland China in April 2016?

Medium was blocked in mainland China in April 2016 following the publication of content related to the Panama Papers on the platform.

For how long was Medium blocked in Albania in April 2020?

The Albanian Audiovisual Media Authority blocked Medium in Albania for a period of three days, from April 19 to April 21, 2020.

When did Russia block access to the Medium website?

Roskomnadzor blocked the Medium website and all its subdomains in the Russian Federation on May 31, 2023.

What were some of the initial AWS services used in Medium's technology stack?

Medium's initial technology stack relied on Amazon Web Services (AWS) services, including EC2, S3, and CloudFront.

What programming languages were central to Medium's early software architecture?

Initially, Medium's platform was written in Node.js, and the text editor used by users was based on TinyMCE.

What is the official web address for Medium?

The official website for Medium can be accessed at medium.com.

What does the 'registration required' note for Medium imply?

The note indicates that users must register to publish content or write articles on Medium. While some articles are freely accessible, others are placed behind a paywall, requiring a subscription.

What did Evan Williams say about the quality of online content when Medium launched?

Upon Medium's launch in 2012, Evan Williams commented that 'There's been less progress toward raising the quality of what's produced,' suggesting his intention to elevate the standard of published content.

What was the approximate number of employees at Medium as of July 2025?

As of July 2025, Medium reported having 77 employees.

What are the primary functions of Medium as a product and service?

Medium functions as a blog publishing system, an online publication platform, and a social network, offering services that support content creation and distribution.

What was the significance of the 'Storyteller' role mentioned in Medium's early history?

The mention of a 'Storyteller' role in April 2013 highlighted Medium's emphasis on narrative and engaging content creation, moving beyond simple short-form posts.

What audio-focused platform did Medium acquire in November 2021?

In November 2021, Medium acquired Knowable, an audio-based learning platform.

What graphic design tool did Medium acquire in November 2021?

Medium acquired Projector, a browser-based graphic design tool, in November 2021.

What happened to the Projector platform after its acquisition by Medium?

Following its acquisition by Medium in November 2021, the Projector platform was shut down in 2022.

What was the result of the Medium Workers Union's bid for recognition in March 2021?

In March 2021, it was announced that the Medium Workers Union narrowly missed the required number of votes for official recognition.

What allegations were made regarding Medium's actions during the unionization campaign?

Reports indicated that Medium hired a union-busting firm and that CEO Evan Williams engaged in discussions aimed at discouraging employees from joining the union.

What is the purpose of the 'Paywall' feature on Medium?

The 'Paywall' feature, introduced in 2017, restricts access to certain articles, making them available only to paying subscribers. This is a common method for online platforms to monetize content.

How does the Medium Partner Program determine writer compensation?

Writer compensation through the Partner Program is based on how deeply Medium members engage with their content. The longer members read, the more writers earn, with subscription revenue being distributed based on reading time and engagement.

What positive aspect of Medium's platform did Lawrence Lessig highlight?

Lawrence Lessig praised Medium for its support of Creative Commons licensing, which enables users to freely share and adapt content, fostering a more open ecosystem.

What was the initial reception from some writers regarding Medium in 2013?

In 2013, some writers expressed confusion and criticism about Medium's purpose, indicating a lack of clarity regarding its function and offerings at that time.

What does the 'See also' section typically include?

The 'See also' section lists related platforms or topics, such as Substack, providing context and connections to similar services within the online publishing landscape.

What is the function of the 'Notes' section in the article?

The 'Notes' section provides supplementary information or clarifications related to the main text, often referencing footnotes for more detailed explanations.

What is the purpose of the 'References' section?

The 'References' section lists all the sources cited in the article, allowing readers to verify the information presented and consult the original materials for further study.

Medium Website Wiki: Medium: The Digital Agora

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What is Medium?

Online Publishing Platform

Medium is an American online publishing platform dedicated to written content, including articles and blogs. Launched in August 2012 by co-founders Evan Williams, Biz Stone, and Jason Goldman, it is owned by A Medium Corporation.^[2]

Social Journalism

It is recognized as a prime example of social journalism, fostering a hybrid ecosystem of amateur and professional contributors, including exclusive blogs and publishers.^[3] It is frequently categorized as a sophisticated blog hosting service.

Beyond Character Limits

Initially conceived by Evan Williams as a solution to the limitations of Twitter's character count, Medium was designed to facilitate longer-form writing and more in-depth content sharing.^[4]

Platform Evolution

Genesis and Early Growth (2012-2016)

Launched in August 2012, Medium aimed to elevate the quality of online content beyond the brevity of platforms like Twitter. By April 2013, it had a dedicated team of 30, with Williams investing significant personal time.^[7] The platform initially focused on optimizing reader time and engagement rather than solely maximizing audience size.^[10]

2015: Medium reported 60 million monthly readers.^[12]
2015: Faced budget cuts impacting hosted publications, leading some to depart.^[14]
2016: Acquired Embedly, a rich media embedding platform.^[21]

Strategic Shifts and Monetization (2017-Present)

Medium introduced a membership program in March 2017, offering premium content and paying authors based on reader engagement.^[22] This period also saw strategic pivots, including a reduction in internal publications and an increased focus on supporting independent writers.^[5]

2017: Reaffirmed commitment against banner advertising, exploring micropayments and patronage.^[17]
2019: Acquired "The Bold Italic" and launched seven new publications (GEN, OneZero, Marker, Elemental, Focus, Zora, Level).^[53]
2021: Acquired Glose (ebook company), Projector (design tool), and Knowable (audio platform).^[24]
2021-2022: Medium employees announced intent to unionize; Ev Williams stepped down as CEO, succeeded by Tony Stubblebine.^[29]
2024: Banned AI-generated content from its paid Partner Program.^[39]

Platform Functionality

User Engagement

Medium hosts millions of monthly visitors, facilitating content creation and consumption. Users can sign up via email, Facebook, or Google accounts.^[37] The platform employs a "clap" feature, allowing readers to express appreciation multiple times, influencing author compensation.^[36]

Content Organization

Posts are primarily categorized by topic using a tag system, differing from writer-centric blog platforms. This structure allows audiences to discover content based on their interests.^[41]

Monetization Models

Medium offers a membership program ($5/month or $50/year) for access to exclusive content and audio features.^[38] The Partner Program compensates writers based on member reading time and engagement, though AI-generated content is now excluded from payouts.^[39]

Hosted Publications

Diverse Content Hubs

Medium serves as a host for numerous publications, acting as digital magazines or newspapers with dedicated homepages. These spaces allow for curated content, editorial assignments, and draft management.^[42]

Matter: A science and technology website acquired by Medium in 2013.^[43]
Cuepoint: A music publication featuring essays by artists, executives, and journalists, including Robert Christgau's "Expert Witness" column.^[44]
Backchannel: A technology blog initially hosted on Medium, later acquired by Condé Nast.^[48]
The Ringer: Bill Simmons' sports and pop culture website, which moved from Medium to Vox Media.^[51]
New Publications (2019): GEN (politics), OneZero (tech/science), Marker (business), Elemental (health), Forge (productivity), Zora (women of color), and Level (men of color).^[54]

Organizational Structure

Board Composition

As of June 2020, Medium's board members included co-founders Evan Williams and Biz Stone, along with investors Josh Elman and Ben Horowitz, and notable figure Colin Kaepernick.^[62]

Transition from Holacracy

Medium initially adopted holacracy, a self-management organizational structure, but moved away from it in 2016. The company cited challenges in coordinating large projects, administrative burdens, and negative public perception as reasons for the shift.^[65]

Platform Reception

Positive Aspects

Early reviews praised Medium's focus on quality content and its innovative use of Creative Commons licensing for user-generated material.^[67] The platform's ability to foster longer-form narratives and diverse publications was also noted.

Criticisms and Challenges

Despite its strengths, Medium faced criticism from writers in 2013 regarding the platform's exact purpose and value proposition.^[70] The site's history has been described as one of "countless pivots," reflecting an ongoing experiment in online publishing.^[71]

Government Censorship

Global Restrictions

Medium has faced content removal requests and blocking by various governments due to its role in publishing sensitive or critical information.

Malaysia (2016): Blocked after hosting an article critical of the 1MDB fund.^[73]
Egypt (2017-2022): Temporarily blocked as part of a broader media crackdown.^[74]
China (2016): Blocked following publication of Panama Papers information.^[75]
Albania (2020): Briefly blocked by the Audiovisual Media Authority.^[76]
Vietnam (Late 2020): Reported blocking by some ISPs.^[77]
Russia (2023): Blocked by Roskomnadzor.^[78]

Technological Foundation

Initial Stack

Medium's early technology stack relied heavily on Amazon Web Services (AWS), utilizing services like EC2, S3, and CloudFront. The platform was initially built with Node.js, featuring a text editor based on TinyMCE.^[80]

Evolving Architecture

By 2017, the stack evolved to include AWS EBS, RDS for Aurora, and Route 53. The image server was developed in Go, while core application servers remained on Node.js.^[81]

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References

For difficulties in coordination between departments in the corporate structure, see Bort (2017).

A full list of references for this article are available at the Medium (website) Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding digital media strategy, platform development, or content creation. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided.

Medium: The Digital Agora

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

What is Medium? ℹ️

🌐 Online Publishing Platform

🤝 Social Journalism

✍️ Beyond Character Limits

Platform Evolution ⏳

🚀 Genesis and Early Growth (2012-2016)

🔄 Strategic Shifts and Monetization (2017-Present)

Platform Functionality ⚙️

👥 User Engagement

💡 Content Organization

💰 Monetization Models

Hosted Publications 📰

📚 Diverse Content Hubs

Organizational Structure 🏛️

🧑‍💼 Board Composition

⚖️ Transition from Holacracy

Platform Reception 💬

👍 Positive Aspects

👎 Criticisms and Challenges

Government Censorship 🚫

🌍 Global Restrictions

Technological Foundation 💻

🔧 Initial Stack

☁️ Evolving Architecture

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is Medium?

Online Publishing Platform

Social Journalism

Beyond Character Limits

Platform Evolution

Genesis and Early Growth (2012-2016)

Strategic Shifts and Monetization (2017-Present)

Platform Functionality

User Engagement

Content Organization

Monetization Models

Hosted Publications

Diverse Content Hubs

Organizational Structure

Board Composition

Transition from Holacracy

Platform Reception

Positive Aspects

Criticisms and Challenges

Government Censorship

Global Restrictions

Technological Foundation

Initial Stack

Evolving Architecture

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice