Why Writers Flaunt Medium Stats

A successful but tedious trend

J.O. Phine
The Pub
4 min readJan 9, 2024

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As an active contributor on Medium, I’ve become increasingly aware of a common thread among fellow writers — we simply can’t seem to resist discussing our stats.

From number of views and claps to follower counts to amount earned, our fixation on quantifying our achievements has become obsessive.

But why is it that so many of us are fixated on these numbers, when in reality, they have become quite mundane?

Photo by Justin Morgan on Unsplash

The Allure of Medium Stats

We are constantly driven by the desire for validation and recognition of our work.

The statistics on Medium provides us with a concrete means of measuring our success, and serve as a reflection of our determination, persistence, and ingenuity.

When we witness our articles garnering hundreds or even thousands of views, claps, or shares, it reinforces our confidence in our writing abilities and spurs us to continue honing our craft.

Furthermore, Medium stats offer a valuable tool for tracking our development and advancement as writers. Through careful examination of our engagement metrics over a period of time, we can gain insights into what techniques yield positive results and what areas may need improvement.

In essence, the appeal of Medium stats lies in the validation, acknowledgment, and growth opportunities they offer.

It’s important to keep in mind that producing high-quality content should always be our top priority, but it’s hard to deny the gratification that comes with watching those engagement metrics steadily climb.

Seeking Validation and Feedback

It’s only human to crave validation and helpful critique for our craft.

Utilizing our Medium statistics allows us to not only invite such feedback, but also initiate discussions among ourselves. By sharing our engagement metrics, we are exposed to constructive criticism and gain valuable insights into what truly captivates our audience.

These stats serve as a form of social validation, demonstrating to others that our words hold value and meaning.

Moreover, when we witness others sharing their stats, a sense of camaraderie and openness is fostered within the community.

We have the opportunity to learn from both their triumphs and challenges, and put that knowledge towards enhancing our own writing. It may even ignite our creativity to experiment with different writing styles and subjects.

Building an Online Presence

Utilizing Medium statistics is a powerful strategy to cultivate a solid online following.

It highlights the reception of our work and solidifies our credibility as a writer. By showcasing our number of views and claps, we can demonstrate our authority and entice followers who are drawn to our writing.

Moreover, a surge in engagement on certain pieces can serve as a valuable asset when seeking opportunities with clients or publishers. In such as competitive field, every advantage counts and can significantly aid in your journey.

Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash

The Culture of Comparison

It is tempting to constantly compare ourselves to others. We’re curious about the number of subscribers, claps, and views that our fellow writers have, often using these metrics to measure our own success.

But this constant comparison can have negative consequences, both for our well-being and our creativity.

When we become fixated on numbers, we lose sight of the true purpose of our writing: our passion for it.

We must remind ourselves that writing is not a race. We each have our unique path and should concentrate on honing our craft rather than trying to outdo others.

Ultimately, there will always be someone with higher stats and a larger audience, but that does not make them a better or worse writer. Many different factors can influence our engagement rates, such as the time of day we post or the topics we choose to cover.

Let’s release ourselves from the toxic culture of comparison and embrace our love for writing without the pressure to compete.

The Monotony of Statistic Sharing

I understand the allure of sharing our Medium stats. However, it seems like this has become a repetitive practice, with daily posts showcasing a writer’s reads and earnings.

While it’s natural to seek recognition and validation for our work, we must remember that the numbers are not the end goal. Instead, our primary objective should be to craft impactful pieces and weave captivating narratives that truly connects with our audience.

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

The Impact on the Writing Community

Naturally, it’s perfectly fine to occasionally share your stats. Yet, constantly boasting about them can come across as self-centered and detract from the sense of camaraderie that Medium fosters among writers.

When writers focus solely on creating content that will garner more views and followers, their creativity can become stifled, hindering their ability to write from the heart.

The presence of a “comparison culture” in sharing Medium stats has the potential to harm the writing community. In place of uplifting one another’s unique talents, writers may succumb to incessant comparisons, leading to a dismal and cutthroat environment.

Writers displaying their Medium statistics have a considerable impact.

So, while it is crucial to recognize the advantages of displaying our metrics, we must not overlook the importance of fostering creativity and the sense of belonging within this writing community.

Hi, I’m J.O. I write about living a healthy, peaceful, and successful existence amid the constant chaos of life. Follow me and subscribe to my newsletter to see more of me. Cheers!✨

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