The main problem here is that Medium has never explained how the algorithm works clearly.

I would say to most people don’t even waste your time writing longform content unless you’re one of the 30 or so chosen few that have been given the privileges.

Spend your time crafting powerful comments instead and you will be seen. You’re tagged up to the story and will be seen already. You need to realize that it’s an unwritten uphill battle that you won’t win. You need to be smart and play the end around game to survive