5 Things You Really Shouldn’t Do on Medium 2025 (Or Ever)

From a longtime Medium writer

Brought to you by someone who has seen (and committed) far too many writing crimes himself. (Also, build on a previous article about 5 things you really shouldn’t do on Substack).

You’re a Medium writer. Congrats!

Let’s go over a few things you should avoid because while Medium is a fantastic platform for sharing your ideas, it’s also a breeding ground for bad habits that can drive readers away very fast.

Trust me, I know.

1. Write a Headline So Over-the-Top It Feels Like a Scam

You know the ones:

• “This One Trick Will Make You an Overnight Billionaire. Scientists Hate It.”

• “Why Every Successful Person Eats Dirt Before Breakfast (You’re Missing Out!).”*

• “If You Read This, Your IQ Will Triple in 30 Seconds.”

Clickbait headlines are the internet’s version of empty promises.

Sure, they might generate clicks, but if your article doesn’t deliver, readers will leave feeling scammed—and they won’t come back.

Instead of misleading people, write a headline that intrigues but also delivers on its promise. A well-crafted title should make people curious and give them an idea of what they’re actually about to read.

That’s why some people actually have success. It’s click-worthiness, not clickbait.

2. Treat Medium Like Your Personal Emotional Dumping Ground

Life is hard.

But if every article you publish sounds like an unfiltered therapy session, people will quietly back away.

“Woke up. Cried. Drank coffee. Cried again. Thought about the meaning of life. Still unclear.”

Unless you’re exceptionally funny, insightful, or writing the next great memoir, Medium isn’t your diary.

Now, that’s not to say personal stories don’t have a place on Medium—they absolutely do! Some of my very personal essays have done well there.

But if you want people to actually read your content, make sure there’s a takeaway. Whether it’s a lesson learned, an inspiring moment, or even just a good laugh, give readers a reason to stick around.

Or, at the very least, something they might have never heard or experienced (and probably never will be or want to).

3. Abuse the Paywall Like You’re Running a Ransom Scheme

Nothing ruins a good reading experience like this:

“The Secret to True Happiness Is—”[PAYWALL ACTIVATED]

C’mon.

Give people a taste before demanding their money.

A paywall is fine. Medium is a business, and writers deserve to be paid. But if you’re going to put something behind a paywall, at least make sure it’s worth it. Give readers enough value in the free portion that they want to keep going. Don’t hold all of your main points hostage and expect people to pay the ransom.

Offer value first.

Tease just enough, but don’t make readers feel like they’re being scammed. Otherwise, they’ll just close the tab and go binge-watch cat videos instead. They’re usually pretty funny.

4. Publish Like a Mad Man

Yes, consistency matters. No, that does not mean unleashing a myriad of half-baked articles daily.

When you publish too much, people stop caring. Even the algorithm does.

You become digital wallpaper. Background noise.

Quality over quantity. If your articles feel rushed, readers will notice. It’s better to publish one great article a week than 15 mediocre ones that nobody finishes.

5. Fight Every Commenter

Somewhere in the depths of the internet, a troll is waiting for you to take the bait.

Resist.

Not everyone needs a response, especially the ones typing in all caps while calling you an “uninformed nincompoop.”

Yes, it’s tempting to clap back at every critic…. I know!

But resist:

• Someone called your article “pointless drivel”? Let it slide.

• Someone misunderstood your irony. Don’t try to explain it.

• Someone posted an essay-length rant that barely relates to your topic? Just smile and nod.

Keep writing. Let your work speak louder than any keyboard warrior ever could.

And if you must respond, do it with wit and class. Bonus points for passive-aggressive politeness.

Bonus: Treat Your Readers Like They Have the Attention Span of a Goldfish

Yes, we live in a TikTok-fueled world where people scroll faster than they think. That doesn’t mean every article should be reduced to a glorified tweet.

And if so, just tweet.

People on Medium (especially the paying members) usually want to read something with depth. Usually.

Of course, still make sure it’s digestible. Nobody wants to read an unedited 50,000-word manifesto.

Weird, right…

The Bottom Line

Medium can be a goldmine for great writing or a landfill of unreadable fluff. Let’s be real, it’s both.

Write with purpose. Don’t clickbait. And please don’t use the paywall like a digital hostage note.

Give your audience something worth their time and have fun with it.