Medium might be "selling" my work in a grand scheme, among the thousands of articles that get recognized in any given week, but the site is an even trade to me.

Medium might be "selling" my work in a grand scheme, among the thousands of articles that get recognized in any given week, but the site is an even trade to me. I know what it costs in time and effort to host Creative Content and to me it's one of many trade-offs in independence. Medium doesn't "own" my work by Publishing it, and I can simply focus on composing things worth writing and know that the platform will just work. Also worth noting Medium is putting out feelers to start paying Writers directly for Content. Based on certain terms. It appears to be part of an attempt at a pay-subscription service model / experiment. So, even in some respects, investing early on in my Medium profile (1.5 years or so) and using it frequently, conveniently, has allowed me to grow into some occasionally big view/read numbers. I know this because Medium has a good stat tracking system, which, as a self-directed Writer, can give perspective on Topics That Interest Me That Also Interest Other People. That's not monetary value, but it's Content-related value I receive at this point. The more important point would be "Own Your Own Content" which is a different discussion. Middle-men and service providers can have a role. There are reasons for me to pick DistroKid versus pursue a Major Label deal that would probably include 360 provisions for a decade. And along the way they'd own all my content. Sites are cyclical from my perspective. Platforms come and go. Most simply crumble under the weight of their own success because their great idea of Free sometimes can't turn the corner to Profitability. Sometimes, heh.