Title: Struggling with Paywalled Content on Medium: My Experience
Written on
Chapter 1: The Impact of Paywalling on Readership
I've been reflecting on the significant decline in readership since I decided to put my content behind a paywall on Medium. Previously, I enjoyed a steady stream of views, especially after sharing my articles on social media. However, since implementing the paywall, the response has been drastically different.
I was thrilled when Medium finally approved my country for the Partner Program. Eager to monetize my content, I registered, believing that the modest traffic I received would translate into a few daily earnings. Unfortunately, that has not been my experience.
Section 1.1: Why Paywalling Affects Visibility
To qualify for earnings through Medium, I began paywalling all my articles, including older ones that previously attracted over a thousand views. It didn't take long for me to notice a troubling trend: as I continued to paywall my work, the readership plummeted.
As of today, I've paywalled all my content, and when I checked my stats, I was disheartened to find zero reads in the last 24 hours. What could be the reason? It seems that many of my readers are not paying members, meaning my articles are only accessible to those who subscribe. Furthermore, the traffic I receive from social media and Google can see the titles but cannot engage with the paywalled content.
Subsection 1.1.1: Seeking Answers for Low Engagement
Section 1.2: Understanding Reader Engagement
This brings me to a point of confusion. I actively follow various writers and engage with their content, often leaving claps when I enjoy their work. Yet, despite my efforts, my own articles receive little to no engagement—often just one read, if that, which doesn’t even contribute to my earnings.
I find myself questioning whether non-paywalled content can generate any income when read. Could anyone provide clarity on this matter?