Writers and editors

Can I use AI?

Don’t put a mostly AI-written story behind the paywall. Saying you used AI does not make that okay. Medium can unlock the story and remove you from the Partner Program. That removal is often final. If you hide that a story was AI-written, it only reaches your own followers. Outlines, spelling, and grammar help are fine. If AI helped write the words, say so in the first couple of paragraphs. Mark AI images in the caption. Don’t use AI to spam, rewrite someone else’s work, or chase SEO with thin copy.

How do I make money?

Join the Partner Program and paywall strong stories for members. You earn when paying members stick around (about 30 seconds or more), clap, highlight, reply, or follow you. Boosted stories and stories people actually keep reading tend to earn more. If the title overpromises, earnings can go down. Pay varies. There is no set amount. You cannot earn on mostly AI-written stories, or on stories mainly about Medium, the Partner Program, or “how to make money on Medium.” Read the Partner Program and how earnings work.

How do I do well on Medium?

Write less, but make it better. Share what you’ve actually done or learned. Pick a title that matches the story. Put your work where the right readers already hang out (like TDE). Real comments and follows beat tricks. Don’t buy claps, farm fake engagement, or spam tags and mentions. Good writing beats posting every day.

What makes an article feel great?

The reader can tell why you wrote it. They learn something useful or walk away thinking. It isn’t a sales pitch or a signup funnel. It says something new, or the same thing in a way only you would. It’s clear, careful, and easy to finish. That’s the kind of piece Medium likes to Boost, but nothing is guaranteed. Boost is rare and picked by humans.

What gets writers in real trouble?

Paywalled AI writing. Paywalled “meta” posts about Medium or earnings tips. Plagiarism or close copies of other people’s work. Soft ads, spam, scams, or hate. Fake or bought engagement. Breaking Medium’s rules can mean unlocked stories, lost Partner Program access, or account action. When unsure, read Medium Help before you publish.

What about AI when I review?

Turn down stories that look mostly written by AI, especially if they are meant to earn. Writers can lose Partner Program access for that. If AI helped, they should say so in the first couple of paragraphs. AI pictures need a note in the caption.

What should I say yes to?

Stories from real experience. Ones that help the reader. Ones that don’t waste their time. Fresh takes, not copy-paste of what’s already everywhere. Clean writing. Ask: would a paying member feel glad they opened this?

What should I turn down or send back?

Clickbait titles. Stories that just rehash other posts. Plagiarism. Soft ads or thin filler. Undisclosed AI. Posts mainly about Medium or “how to earn on Medium.” Spammy tags or shout-outs. Anything you’d be embarrassed to put in a member’s feed.