Posted By: Cynthia

I recently read that Medium wants to bring in editors to help improve content on the platform. While that might sound like a good idea on the surface, I can’t help but wonder if they’re focusing on the wrong problem.

The biggest complaint I’ve heard from creators over the years isn’t that they need editors. The biggest complaint is that they aren’t getting paid enough for the work they’re putting in.

Let’s be honest. Medium isn’t the same platform it used to be. Years ago, it felt fresh and exciting. Today, it feels boring and repetitive. A lot of the content sounds exactly the same. People are writing similar stories, sharing the same advice, and recycling the same topics over and over again. Bringing in editors isn’t necessarily going to fix that.

In fact, adding more editors could create new problems. First, who decides what “good” content is? If editors start favoring certain writing styles, opinions, or topics, it could make the platform feel even more restrictive than it already does. Many creators joined Medium because it gave them freedom to publish without traditional gatekeepers. Adding more editorial oversight could discourage unique voices from participating.

Second, where is the money for these editors coming from? If Medium is spending more resources on editorial teams, many creators are wondering whether those resources could have been used to improve writer earnings, marketing, or audience growth tools instead.

Another issue people aren’t talking about is authenticity. Some of the most successful content online isn’t perfectly edited. Readers often connect with real experiences, personal stories, and genuine perspectives. Over-editing content can sometimes remove the very thing that makes it relatable.

Medium also faces stronger competition than ever before. Independent blogs, newsletters, forums, video platforms, podcasts, and social media communities are all competing for attention. Simply polishing articles won’t solve the larger issue of keeping creators engaged and fairly compensated.

At the end of the day, creators don’t stay because an editor fixed a comma. They stay because they feel valued. They stay because they can build an audience. And most importantly, they stay because they believe their hard work will be rewarded.

If Medium really wants to help creators, maybe the conversation shouldn’t start with editors. Maybe it should start with creator pay, audience growth, transparency, and giving writers more reasons to stay. Until then, adding editors feels like putting a fresh coat of paint on a house that still has problems in the foundation.