Why Your Medium Articles Are Getting Views But Not Making Money

Let’s clarify two huge misconceptions about Medium stats

Liv Mello
Write To Inspire

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Photo by Ioan Roman on Unsplash

I recently wrote an article about how difficult it is to sustain a steady income on Medium. I assumed that once I started making $1,000/month, I’d continue earning the same amount, if not more. I received many responses from writers who have struggled with the same reality. I also received messages from individuals who are confused about Medium stats and how exactly articles make money on the platform. One writer, Ken Taro asked an interesting question that needs addressing.

Ken Taro asks how 10k views translated into $800 when his story received 29k views and only made $150.
Screenshot by author

I’ve also published articles with thousands of views and a hefty number of comments that made very little in comparison. So, I’d like to clarify a few things about making money on Medium.

The Old Monetary System Relied On Claps

As you may already know, Medium is constantly changing. Not long ago, the amount of money you earned on an article relied heavily on the number of claps it received. This system made writers hungry for public recognition. If you ask me, chasing “claps” on Medium is just as toxic as…

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Liv Mello
Write To Inspire

Freelancing advice and figuring out how to be happy. Check out my work at livmello.com