Wait… But Why?
Medium has risen in popularity among writers, bloggers, and readers due to its user interface and community-centered features that have attracted a large following.
Despite Medium’s appeal and ubiquity, the paywall approach and the authority it wields over content is worrisome at best. I cannot emphasize this enough: You must own your content as a creator.
Dear Medium, for once, have a spine—will you?
Medium’s practice of blocking nonsubscribers from accessing content is dishonest: While it puts a paywall around the content, it fully enables search engines to index it.
Let me make it clear: Had Medium made its entire content subscriber-only without intentionally leaking it to the search engines, I would have been one of the first to subscribe and support it.
While it aims to monetize content and support writers financially, it also creates obstacles to information accessibility.
This paywall can discourage readers and restrict the audience to emerging or specialized bloggers. Additionally, Medium's method of displaying paywalled material on search engines but preventing access without a subscription is deceptive, leading to nothing but frustration among readers.
The Predicament of Platform Authority
A major issue with Medium revolves around its control over users' content.
You are a content creator. You should not give a flying care about “the algorithm.”—Your writing shall not be influenced by the platform's evolving rules and algorithms.
Your content is yours; own it.
You are not and shall not be a puppet to make your content more engaging. Your voice should not be a slave to the algorithm. Don’t lose yourself.
There's also the concern that Medium could change its business
The Significance of Ownership and Control
Values like ownership, transparency, and control are important not only in your work but also in how you share knowledge and ideas (including through blogging).
Ownership of your content allows you to choose how it is displayed and shared: If you want to monetize your content, it’s on your own terms; if you don’t, no external party can enforce it.
That’s why I’m sharing my thoughts on this blog, using Ghost as a platform. If you don’t prefer to use Ghost, there are many choices you can pick from. But please, pretty please, if you value your content, don’t post it to a place you don’t own.
Why I Use Ghost?
As I mentioned, the kind of platform you choose is of little importance. Still, this is a good point to segue into why I like Ghost as a blogging platform.
Ghost is a notable open-source blogging platform. I like its speed and simplicity. Although I don’t care too much about SEO, it’s good to know that Ghost also offers robust SEO capabilities built-in.
As a Ghost user, I have full ownership of my content and the freedom to personalize the site’s appearance and functionality. I can use an existing theme, purchase a theme, and tweak it, or, if I so want, build my own Ghost theme with its unique functionality. Literally, the Sky is the limit there!
If I want, Ghost offers features like memberships and subscriptions built into the platform, allowing me to monetize my content directly without anyone in the middle.
In today’s world, the ability to innovate, customize, and communicate freely is not a choice but a fundamental principle that should be honored.
And, I don’t even have to host Ghost. Because I value my time, I use Ghost’s managed solution. This eases the responsibilities of server maintenance, updates, and security management. It’s a perfect option because I want to prioritize content creation to infrastructure management.
Yet, despite the managed nature, I have full ownership. I can even streamline my backups through Ghost API. I can back up my entire blog periodically to a storage solution of my preference, which will give me further peace of mind.
Conclusion
In this new world of AI-generated copycats, high-quality content reigns supreme, and having the ability to manage and possess your own voice is more important than ever.
While platforms such as Medium have made it easier for writers to reach audiences they also come with restrictions that can hinder creativity and restrict engagement with readers.
Taking ownership of your content goes beyond independence—it’s about safeguarding your heritage and ensuring that your voice remains genuine and unfiltered.
Self-publishing is about crafting a space that truly mirrors your vision and evolves alongside your audience free from the changing rules and priorities of platforms.
Self-publishing is an investment in building your brand and advancing professionally. It gives you the freedom to experiment, innovate, and customize your content strategy to suit the needs and preferences of your audience—a priceless experience.
With tools and platforms tailored for creators, the barriers to getting started have never been lower. You don’t have to use Ghost; use something, Jekyll, WordPress, Drupal, Gatsby, Next… Your options are countless. I’m sure you can find one that fits your unique needs.
Owning your platform allows you to focus on what counts; creating valuable and meaningful content.
Own your content.
