If you’re an aspiring writer or a seasoned blogger looking to monetize your content, you might be curious about how much you can earn through platforms like Medium.
Medium pays varying amounts per 1000 views, with some writers earning pennies and others making $20+ per thousand views. Medium doesn’t just pay writers based on views, as engagement and read time also goes into Medium’s algorithm.
As for my own experience, Medium has paid me around $16.74 per 1000 views.
In this article, I’ll delve into the payment structure on Medium and shed light on how much you can expect to earn. I’ll also explain what kinds of things affect how much you can earn writing on Medium.
How Much Medium Pays For 1000 Views
You can get paid anywhere from pennies to $20+ per thousand views on Medium, and a few examples of rates include:
- $15-$30 according to Millennial Money Man
- $4.32-$8.19 per Casey Botticello
- $25-$30 for Victoria Kurichenko
While Medium doesn’t pay writers per view, it’s important to understand the factors that can indirectly influence your earnings on the platform. The number of views your articles receive can impact your potential to earn through the Medium Partner Program.
The more views your articles get, the greater the likelihood of attracting engagement from paying Medium members, which does contribute to your earnings.
Medium’s algorithms that determine how much you get paid take various factors into account, but the main one is paid member read time. Essentially, the more time a paying Medium member spends reading your article, the more you are likely to get paid.
This system emphasizes the importance of creating high-quality and captivating content that keeps readers engaged and encourages them to spend more time immersed in your writing.
It’s worth noting that the exact payment structure and algorithms used by Medium are not explicitly disclosed, and they are subject to change and experimentation.
How Much Medium Pays For 100,000 Views
Medium pays varying amounts for 100,000 views, as I’ve mentioned above in the case of 1,000 views. Some writers have reported earnings ranging from $350-$1,750 per 100,000 views, with others earning about $1,500 for 105k views.
What Affects How Much You Get Paid On Medium?
Member Reading Time
As I mentioned earlier, Medium’s payment structure is based on many factors, with one of the main ones being (paid) member reading time. The more time (paying) members spend reading your articles, the more money you can get paid. You’ll also earn based on the proportion of a member’s time that was spent reading your stories.
For example, if a reader spends 20 minutes per month reading stories, and they read your stories for 10 of those 20 minutes, you’ll earn 50% of their ‘share.’ Note that this doesn’t mean you get 50% of their subscription fee, but 50% of the share of their subscription fee that Medium gives to writers.
So, it’s important to create engaging content that captures readers’ attention and encourages them to spend more time reading your stories. Compelling narratives, valuable insights, and well-structured articles can help increase reader engagement and ultimately boost your earnings.
Top Tip: Medium readers tend to value personal stories that include insight and experience
Curation & Distribution
Medium has a curation process where articles are selected by the platform’s editorial team for wider distribution. Curated articles have the potential to reach a larger audience and attract more engagement, thereby increasing your chances of earning more.
While the curation process is subjective and not all articles are selected, focusing on producing high-quality content can improve your odds of being curated and subsequently earning higher royalties. The curation process has likely evolved over the years and as competition is now so fierce on the platform, you can’t rely on getting your stories curated to earn money.
Niche & Audience
The niche you write in and the size of your audience can also impact your earnings on Medium. Writing in a niche that has a dedicated and engaged readership can increase the likelihood of attracting member engagement and potential earnings.
If you have a substantial following or a loyal audience outside of Medium, you can leverage your existing reach to drive more traffic and engagement to your Medium articles, potentially leading to higher earnings.
Membership Growth
The growth of Medium’s subscriber base can also influence your earnings. As more readers become Medium members, the overall pool of membership fees increases, potentially leading to higher payments for writers.
Therefore, the platform’s efforts to attract and retain subscribers play a role in determining the overall revenue available for distribution among writers. You obviously don’t have control over this factor!
Platform Updates & Changes
Finally, it’s important to stay informed about any updates or changes to Medium’s payment structure and algorithms, as these can affect how much you earn too (and it’s another factor you can’t control).
The platform continually evolves to optimize the experience for both readers and writers. By staying up to date, you can adapt your content strategy, take advantage of new features, and align your approach with the latest guidelines to maximize your earnings.
These last points are important to remember if you think it’s easy to get rich on Medium. As with any other platform, you’re at the mercy of the platform itself, so it’s not always going to be a reliable way to make money as a writer!
Do You Get Paid For External Views On Medium?
You don’t get paid for external views on Medium, but you can earn 50% of someone’s subscription fee if they sign up through your affiliate link. So while you don’t earn directly from external views, they can still contribute to your overall earnings indirectly.
The only views Medium will pay you for are those from paying Medium members – i.e. not external views.
Exposure & Attracting Subscribers
However, external views can act as a gateway to attracting new readers and potential subscribers to your content. If readers find your article compelling and decide to explore more of your work, they may choose to become paying Medium members and engage with your future stories.
As I mentioned earlier, engagement from Medium members is a key factor for earning money through the Medium Partner Program. So, while you may not receive direct payment for external views, they can potentially lead to long-term financial benefits by building a loyal readership.
Medium’s Referral Program
And like I mentioned above, you can also earn from external views if they sign up to become a paying Medium member through your affiliate link. Clearly this isn’t really a substitute for paying for external views by default, but it can make getting external views worth it if you have a large enough audience.
Is It Still Worth Writing On Medium?
The question of whether it’s worth writing on Medium ultimately depends on your goals, aspirations, and personal circumstances as a writer. While the platform offers opportunities for exposure, community engagement, and potential earnings, it’s not necessarily an easy way to make money. But that’s not the only benefit of writing on Medium!
Audience & Exposure
Medium provides access to a vast and diverse audience of readers who are actively seeking quality content. Writing on Medium can help you reach a wider audience beyond your existing networks and potentially connect with readers who resonate with your work.
If expanding your reach and gaining exposure are important goals for you, Medium can be a valuable platform.
Community & Feedback
Medium also fosters a vibrant community of writers, readers, and enthusiasts who engage in discussions, provide feedback, and offer support. Engaging with this community can enhance your writing skills, help you establish connections, and provide valuable insights into your work.
Monetization Potential
While the payment structure on Medium is based on engagement and member reading time rather than direct views, there is still potential to make money writing on Medium. If earning a financial reward from your writing is a priority (even if it’s small), it’s important to approach Medium with realistic expectations and focus on producing engaging content.
Flexibility & Control
Medium offers writers the freedom to choose their topics, publish on their own schedule, and retain ownership of their work. Unlike some traditional publishing avenues, Medium gives you more control over your creative process and allows you to experiment with different writing styles and formats.
This can help you grow as a freelance writer, as it provides a platform where you can hone your writing skills and get feedback from real people.
Platform Evolution
It’s worth noting that Medium has evolved and undergone changes since its inception, and it continues to evolve over time. The platform introduces updates, experiments with new features, and adjusts its payment structure to improve the experience for users. It’s a very different place to even just a few years ago!
However, I do still think it’s worth giving Medium a try, even just for the benefit of practicing your writing!
Chris is the creator of Freelance Ready. He originally started freelancing (on Fiverr) while at university, writing and editing website content. He created this website to share his freelancing experience and help others on their own self-employed journeys. He is now a freelance SEO consultant and content editor. You can learn more about Chris here.
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