Leaving Medium with disrespect and disdain for the platform and its leadership

Some big algorithm change in August 2023, advertised as something positive for hard-working writers.

Ever-falling earnings after that. Solicitations to pay money (“friends of Medium”), again advertised as help for writers.

Some glitch early in 2025, resulting in more erosion of earnings.

Very recently, the cancellation of the referral program:

Call it a bug in your favor

A bug in my favor? This is the most insulting handling of the situation. There is a cancellation of a legitimate income stream, and a suggestion that it was some free lunch for me. It wasn’t. I acquired the followers when the referral program was in place, and my writing was drawing a lot of attention for a reason.

The cancellation of the referral program felt like the final nail.

I never wrote for the money on Medium — not a single story. I wrote honest stories sharing what was on my mind and in my heart. I wrote consistently. The earnings, while they lasted — were the outcome of my commitment to consistency and authenticity.

But to see the income disappear against the background of hypocrisy and virtue signaling has been disheartening.