Why Medium is So Frustrating

Veronica Ruggiero
3 min readFeb 29, 2024

Medium is a popular platform for writers and readers alike, offering a space for people to share their thoughts, ideas, and stories with a wide audience. However, despite its popularity, many users find Medium to be a frustrating platform to navigate and engage with. In this article, we will explore the reasons why Medium can be so frustrating for its users.

One of the main sources of frustration for users on Medium is the platform’s paywall system. Medium operates on a subscription-based model, where users can access a limited number of articles for free each month before being prompted to subscribe for unlimited access. While this model helps to support writers and creators on the platform, it can be frustrating for users who are not willing or able to pay for a subscription. Many users feel that they are missing out on valuable content because they are unable to access it without a subscription.

Another source of frustration on Medium is the lack of transparency and consistency in the platform’s curation and recommendation algorithms. Users often find it difficult to understand why certain articles are promoted or recommended to them, leading to a feeling of confusion and distrust. Additionally, the algorithmic nature of Medium’s recommendations can result in users being shown the same types of content over and over again, limiting their exposure to new ideas and…

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