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Medium
What it is
Medium is a place to read and publish writing on the web, Android, and iOS. It offers a free plan, with tools for scheduled posts, basic theme customization, blog analytics, built-in memberships, and connecting a custom domain to a profile. Writers can create or contribute to publications, and published stories may reach followers and email subscribers or be recommended through Medium feeds, emails, topic pages, and apps. Its Partner Program shares part of membership dues when members read writers’ stories; members-only stories earn when a member reads for at least 30 seconds, with earnings potentially increasing for longer reads and positive interactions. Readers can access member-only stories, audio narrations, offline reading in the app, and a Mastodon community through membership. The editor supports URL-based embeds from providers such as GitHub Gists, CodePen, SoundCloud, Google Drive, and Airtable. It does not support Instagram embeds or embed code, and users cannot run scripts on the site. Users must be at least 13.
For and against
For
- Free plan is available.
- Supports scheduled posts and blog analytics.
- Custom domains and built-in memberships are supported.
- Stories can reach followers and email subscribers.
- Membership includes audio and offline reading.
Against
- Theme customization is basic.
- Instagram embeds are not supported.
- Users cannot run scripts on the site.
- Users must be at least 13.
The verdict
Medium combines writing and publishing tools with ways to distribute stories and earn from member reading. Its embed and scripting limits matter for users who need more control over site content.
Who it suits
Medium suits writers who want publishing and membership tools alongside readers looking for stories, audio, or offline reading. It may also fit people who want to connect a custom domain or contribute to publications.
Plans and prices
Medium Member
Read member-only stories · support writers · audio narrations · offline reading
Read 11 Oct 2026 · medium.com
Friend of Medium
All Medium member benefits · writers earn 4x when you read their stories · TK writing app · share member-only stories
Read 11 Oct 2026 · medium.com
On the record
- Account age requirement
- Medium’s Terms of Service say users must be at least 13 years old to use the services.policy.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Audience
- Medium says over 100 million people connect and share their wisdom on the platform each month.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Blog analytics
- Yesmedium.com · read 22 Sep 2026
- Built-in memberships
- Yesmedium.com · read 22 Sep 2026
- Custom domain
- Yesmedium.com · read 22 Sep 2026
- Distribution
- Published stories can reach followers and email subscribers and may also be recommended through Medium’s feeds, emails, topic pages, and apps.help.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Earnings criteria
- Members-only stories earn when a member reads for 30 seconds or more, and earnings may increase with longer reads and positive interactions.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Embed limit
- Medium does not support Instagram embeds or embedding content using embed code, and it does not allow users to run scripts on the site.help.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Importing
- The import tool can bring in a story from another site, backdate it to its original date, and add a canonical link; users must have the right to import the content.help.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The editor supports URL-based embeds from third-party providers, including GitHub Gists, CodePen, SoundCloud, Google Drive, and Airtable.help.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Medium describes itself as a home for human stories and ideas where people can read and write.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Reader features
- Membership includes access to member-only stories, audio narrations, offline reading in the Medium app, and a Mastodon community.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Post scheduling
- Yesmedium.com · read 22 Sep 2026
- Security and privacy
- Medium’s terms direct users to its Privacy Policy for details about how it collects, uses, shares, and processes information.policy.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Medium’s Help Center provides product guides and lets users submit a request for help.help.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Theme customization
- basicmedium.com · read 22 Sep 2026
- Writer earnings
- The Partner Program shares a portion of membership dues when Medium members read a writer’s stories.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Writing and publishing
- Medium says its publishing tools let writers create and contribute to publications and connect a custom domain to their profile.medium.com · read 11 Oct 2026
