The Shift Towards Long-Form Content: Navigating Medium's Future
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Chapter 1: The New Landscape of Medium
As the landscape of Medium evolves, a question arises: Are we now expected to focus solely on long-form content? This article delves into what writing on Medium might look like in the near future.
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Section 1.1: The Rise of Long-Form Articles
While Medium has clarified that boosted posts don’t necessarily need to be lengthy, the growing trend of long articles indicates that longer pieces—often those exceeding seven minutes of reading time—are more likely to gain visibility. Have you also observed the influx of featured posts that span 7 to 10 minutes or even longer? These articles often represent high-quality essays or meticulously researched pieces that deserve recognition.
I personally enjoy engaging with these longer works, and I frequently contribute long-form content myself. However, concerns arise regarding how this trend affects other writing styles on the platform. With the push for longer articles, it’s understandable that many writers are gravitating toward this format, particularly since boosted visibility is crucial for reaching a broader audience.
Section 1.2: The Decline of Lists
What has become of list articles? They seem to be fading away in favor of extended narratives. Where once we might have encountered a straightforward "listicle," we now see these lists woven into longer texts. In my view, listicles gained popularity because they serve a specific function; they are concise and easy to digest, especially for those pressed for time. The emergence of lengthy articles now requires readers to invest significantly more time to extract information that could have been succinctly presented in a list.
Subsection 1.2.1: The Future of Poetry
It's unlikely that we will see many poems that take seven minutes or longer to read being favored in the current long-form landscape Medium encourages. However, this does not imply that there aren't poems deserving of a wider audience. We shouldn’t feel compelled to produce lengthy pieces merely for the sake of length; each type of article has its ideal format, and poetry is no exception.
Section 1.3: The Challenge of Time
Time remains a finite resource. No matter how we attempt to stretch our days, they will not exceed 24 hours. With this limited time, we can only consume so much content. As long-form articles become more prevalent, how many can we realistically read? In the past, we could support more writers by engaging with their posts and providing feedback. Now, we must be more discerning about what we read to ensure we don’t miss out on valuable insights from those we cherish in our community.
Chapter 2: Reflecting on Blogging's Past
In the early days of blogging, the format blended elements of articles and social media updates. We crafted long narratives at times, while at others, we shared brief updates tailored to our audience. There was a freedom to experiment with different formats that resonated with our readers.
While we cannot revert to that era, there are lessons to be gleaned from it. Blogging thrived as a vibrant medium for both information and relationship-building. It was less about delivering lengthy monologues and more about fostering open dialogues.
Diversity in our writing enriches any platform, allowing it to flourish. Medium can be a space where long-form articles coexist with shorter pieces, empowering writers and readers alike to thrive in a community that values excellence, connection, and growth.
You may also want to read:
The first video discusses the ongoing transition of content creators towards long-form articles, examining the underlying reasons and implications for the medium.
This second video explores why Instagram is resisting the trend towards long-form content, highlighting its unique position in the digital landscape.