Optimizing Your Medium Content for Maximum Views: Tips and Strategies

Have you ever posted a story on Medium and noticed that despite being curated, you're not receiving the number of views you hoped for? This article delves into the various factors that can impact the visibility of your content on this popular platform. We'll explore how Medium's algorithm works, the importance of a well-crafted title and introduction, and the significance of aligning your content with your audience's interests.

Understanding How Medium's Algorithm Works

Much like any other social media platform, Medium relies on algorithms to determine which content gets visibility. Your story can gain views from four primary sources: followers, curation, publications, and external sources such as SEO and social media sharing.

Followers: When you publish a story, Medium shows it to a selection of your followers based on their past engagement with your content. If they engage well, it widens the pool of followers who can see your content, and the cycle repeats. Curation: Curation involves either a human or an automated method that evaluates your post and shares it with a broader audience. This can happen if your content aligns with the topics your followers are interested in. Publications: Medium allows users to follow publications, which are collections of themed stories run by individuals. Researching which publication is a good fit for your content can help increase your views. External Sources: While not much can be done here, learning to optimize for SEO can improve your visibility. Shares on social media don't directly lead to views but can indirectly boost visibility.

Common Reasons for Low Views

There are three primary reasons why your curated story might not be receiving the views you expect:

Your Title Sucks: Even if your post has been curated, the title might be the culprit. Medium recommends your content to potential viewers, but they can't force people to click. A compelling and relevant title is crucial to drawing readers in. Your Introduction Isn't Gripping: An engaging introduction is just as important as a good title. While a click-worthy title gets people to read your post, the introduction must be compelling enough to keep them reading. If readers bounce quickly, Medium will deprioritize your content, even if it was curated or not. You've Pleased the Curation Team But Not Your Followers: Sometimes, the content that is curated might not align with what your followers are interested in. For instance, if you post frequently about food topics but most of your followers are interested in writing or creativity, your content might go unviewed. Over time, as you gain followers interested in the food topic, you can expect more views, but at the moment, curated posts still won't result in many views.

Strategies for Increasing Views on Medium

Here are some key strategies to optimize your Medium content for maximum views:

Write a Compelling Title: Use engaging keywords that accurately describe your content and draw in potential readers. Create a Gripping Introduction: Start with a hook that grabs the reader's attention and entices them to continue reading. Understand Your Audience: Regularly survey and engage with your followers to understand their interests and preferences. Tailor your content to align with these interests. Follow Relevant Publications: Research and follow publications that align with your content themes. This can help expand your reach. Optimize for SEO: Use relevant keywords and hashtags in your posts to improve your search engine visibility. Ensure your content is structured well and includes alt text for images.

By understanding the role of each source of views and implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve the visibility of your content on Medium. Whether your post is curated or not, the key is to create engaging, relevant, and well-structured content that resonates with your audience.