Medium.com has been a platform I deeply respected when I started writing there a year ago. With big dreams and unrelenting effort, I dedicated countless hours to crafting articles, building an audience, and sharing valuable insights. However, after a year of hard work, I’ve come to realize that the system might not be as fair or competent as it claims to be.
Three Accounts, One Major Issue
I decided to run three Medium accounts to diversify my content and maximize my potential earnings. Things were going smoothly—until last week when I encountered the dreaded “Unknown Error” in the Medium Partner Program. At first, I thought it was a minor technical glitch, but I soon realized it was a storm brewing on the horizon.
A Shocking Email from Medium
When I noticed the error in one of my accounts, I promptly contacted Medium’s support team to seek clarification. The reply I received left me stunned. They accused me of violating their policies and revoked my account entirely. What’s worse, they blocked my email, effectively silencing me from explaining my side or challenging their decision.
The revoked account wasn’t just any account—it was my most successful one, with substantial earnings and growth. It made no sense why I was penalized so harshly.
Different Treatments for the Same Issue
Determined to understand what went wrong, I reached out again—but this time from my other two accounts. I reported the same “Unknown Error” and waited nervously for a response. To my surprise, the Medium team replied, acknowledging that the error was on their end. They swiftly removed the issue and restored my accounts to “enrolled” status.
This inconsistency baffled me. Why was one account revoked for the same issue that was fixed in the other two? Why didn’t the team take a uniform approach?
The Unfairness of It All
The experience made me feel deeply frustrated. If the issue stemmed from their servers, why wasn’t the revoked account treated the same way as the others? It’s hard not to think the system—or at least the team behind it—is flawed. Mistakes are inevitable, but transparency and fair treatment are non-negotiable, especially when dealing with someone’s livelihood.
Lack of Communication and Accountability
Blocking my email was the ultimate blow. It was as though Medium didn’t want to hear from me anymore. How can a platform claim to empower writers to silence someone without providing a proper explanation or a way to appeal?
The irony is painful: the account with the most earnings and potential was penalized, while the others got a pass for the same problem.
Final Thoughts: Medium Needs to Do Better
Platforms like Medium thrive because of their writers. We pour our time, energy, and creativity into making the platform successful. But this incident has shaken my trust. A platform that cannot treat its writers fairly, handle errors transparently, or allow open communication needs to rethink its practices seriously.
For writers who are considering Medium, my advice is simple: proceed with caution. Celebrate your achievements, but always prepare for unexpected hurdles.
I’ll continue to write and share my voice, but this experience has taught me a valuable lesson about diversifying my platforms and not putting all my trust in one system.