As a passionate technology writer and educator, I've always been drawn to platforms that allow me to share knowledge and engage with curious minds. Medium seemed like the perfect fit – a clean, user-friendly interface coupled with a diverse community of readers and writers. However, after two years as a paying member, I've made the difficult decision to cancel my subscription. Here's why.
The Initial Appeal of Medium
When I first discovered Medium in 2015, it felt like stumbling upon a hidden gem in the vast landscape of online publishing. The minimalist design was a breath of fresh air compared to cluttered blog platforms, and the ease of publishing was unparalleled. As someone deeply immersed in the world of technology, I appreciated the platform's sleek interface and intuitive user experience.
I dove in headfirst, churning out articles on everything from quantum computing to the ethics of AI. My piece on "The Quantum Revolution: How Qubits Are Reshaping Computing" garnered significant attention, sparking engaging discussions with readers from various technical backgrounds. The joy of writing and connecting with a global audience passionate about technology was incredibly fulfilling.
The Introduction of Medium's Membership Model
In 2017, Medium introduced its membership model. For $5 a month, members gained unlimited access to content and the ability to support writers through "claps." As someone who values quality content and believes in supporting creators, I signed up without hesitation.
Initially, the membership seemed to offer great value. I had access to a wide array of tech-focused articles, from in-depth analyses of emerging programming languages to thoughtful explorations of tech ethics. The ability to "clap" for articles I enjoyed felt like a tangible way to support fellow writers in the tech community.
The Turning Point: Realizing the Inequity
My wake-up call came when I reviewed my billing history. Two years of $5 monthly payments added up to $125 – no small sum, especially considering the exchange rate to my local currency. This prompted me to take a hard look at what I was getting for my investment, particularly from the perspective of a tech writer outside the United States.
The Partner Program Predicament
The most glaring issue? As a writer based outside of Medium's 23 approved countries, I was ineligible for their Partner Program. This meant that while I paid the same membership fee as writers in the US or UK, I couldn't earn a cent from my work on the platform.
This realization was particularly frustrating given the global nature of the tech industry. Many of the topics I wrote about – from advancements in artificial intelligence to the latest developments in blockchain technology – were inherently international in scope. Yet, the platform's monetization structure seemed to ignore this reality.
Technical Limitations or Deliberate Exclusion?
Medium claims this limitation is due to their payment partner, Stripe, not operating in certain regions. However, this explanation falls flat when you consider the technical realities:
Global Payment Solutions: Numerous other platforms, including tech giants like Google (with AdSense) and Amazon (with their Associate program), manage international payments without issue. These companies have demonstrated that it's possible to create complex, global payment systems that comply with international regulations.
Stripe's Actual Coverage: A quick look at Stripe's official documentation reveals that they operate in far more countries than Medium's approved list. As of 2023, Stripe supports businesses in over 40 countries, with varying levels of features available in many more.
Alternative Payment Technologies: The fintech revolution has given rise to numerous alternative payment solutions. Cryptocurrencies, for instance, offer a decentralized method for international transfers that could potentially sidestep traditional banking limitations.
APIs and Integration: As a tech writer familiar with system integrations, I know that APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) exist to connect different payment systems. Medium could potentially leverage these to create a more inclusive payment structure.
The lack of transparency and effort to find a solution for writers in "excluded" countries is deeply disappointing, especially from a platform that positions itself at the forefront of digital publishing.
The Silence of the Platform
What's particularly frustrating is Medium's deafening silence on this issue. Their company blog, usually a source of updates and insights, lacks any acknowledgment of the problem or plans to address it. It's as if writers from these "blacklisted" countries simply don't exist in Medium's eyes.
This lack of communication is especially problematic in the tech world, where transparency and open dialogue are highly valued. Many tech companies, from GitHub to Stack Overflow, have set precedents for openly discussing platform issues and actively seeking community input for solutions.
Exploring Alternatives and Workarounds
Before making the decision to quit, I explored potential solutions:
Using a proxy: Having someone in an approved country collect payments on my behalf. While technically possible, this creates tax complications and doesn't address the systemic unfairness. It also raises ethical concerns about transparency and potentially violates Medium's terms of service.
Setting up a Stripe business account: The costs and complexity of establishing a US-based company make this impractical for most individual writers. As someone familiar with the intricacies of international business regulations, I can attest to the significant hurdles this would entail.
Accepting the status quo: Continuing to pay for membership without the possibility of earning felt increasingly unjust, especially given my contributions to the platform's tech content ecosystem.
The Broader Context: Paywalls and the Future of Online Content
Medium's shift away from advertising to a paywall model reflects a larger trend in digital publishing. As readers become more wary of ad-driven platforms and their data practices, subscription-based models are gaining traction.
This shift aligns with broader trends in the tech industry:
Privacy Concerns: Increased awareness of data privacy issues, sparked by events like the Cambridge Analytica scandal, has made users more cautious about "free" platforms that monetize user data.
Ad-Blocking Technology: The rise of sophisticated ad-blocking tools has forced publishers to seek alternative revenue streams.
Quality Over Quantity: There's a growing recognition that sustainable, high-quality content creation requires direct financial support from readers.
However, Medium now faces stiff competition in the realm of paid content:
Apple News+: Offers content from top-tier publications for a similar price point, leveraging Apple's massive ecosystem.
Substack and Ghost: These newsletter platforms provide writers with more direct monetization options and greater control over their audience relationships.
Established Publications: Many traditional media outlets have successfully launched their own paywalls, offering unique, high-quality content backed by established brand reputations.
For Medium to justify its price tag, especially to writers excluded from the Partner Program, it needs to offer exceptional value. Unfortunately, that value proposition is eroding, particularly for tech writers who have numerous specialized platforms vying for their content.
The Decision to Leave: A Matter of Principle and Pragmatism
Ultimately, my choice to cancel my Medium membership boils down to a matter of principle and practical considerations. By continuing to pay while being excluded from fair compensation, I was tacitly supporting a system I believe is unjust and technologically outdated.
What do I lose by canceling?
- Unlimited reading (though workarounds exist for the article limit)
- The ability to "clap" and support other writers financially
- Potential exposure through Medium's curation system
What do I gain?
- The satisfaction of taking a stand against unfair practices
- $5 a month to invest in other platforms or publications more aligned with my values
- Motivation to explore alternative writing and publishing options better suited to tech content
A Call to Action: Advocating for Change in the Tech Writing Ecosystem
If Medium truly values its global community of writers, especially those contributing to its tech-focused content, it needs to take concrete steps to address this inequity:
Implement alternative payment methods: Explore cryptocurrencies, digital wallets, or partnerships with global fintech companies to facilitate payments to writers in unsupported countries.
Offer non-monetary benefits: Provide free membership, enhanced visibility, or other perks to active writers unable to join the Partner Program.
Improve communication: Provide clear, regular updates about efforts to expand the Partner Program's reach, possibly through a dedicated section of their engineering blog.
Open-source solutions: Consider open-sourcing parts of their payment system, allowing the global tech community to contribute potential solutions.
To fellow tech writers facing similar frustrations: consider whether your continued financial support aligns with your values and professional goals. Sometimes, voting with our wallets is the most effective way to drive change in the tech industry.
Conclusion: A Bittersweet Farewell to Medium
Leaving Medium isn't a decision I've made lightly. The platform has connected me with incredible readers and fellow writers passionate about technology, and I'm grateful for those experiences. However, I believe that by withdrawing my financial support, I'm sending a necessary message about the importance of equitable treatment in the digital publishing space.
My hope is that Medium will recognize the value of its truly global tech community and take meaningful action to create a more equitable system. Until then, I'll be exploring new horizons and platforms that better align with my principles of fair compensation and inclusivity in the tech writing world.
To my readers and fellow tech enthusiasts: thank you for your support and engagement over the years. While this chapter may be closing, I'm excited to discover new ways to connect and share knowledge about the ever-evolving world of technology. Whether it's through specialized tech blogs, open-source documentation projects, or emerging decentralized publishing platforms, I'm committed to continuing our dialogue about the fascinating world of technology and its impact on our lives.
