The Challenge of Being a Volunteer Editor on Medium
Written on
The Disappointment of Algorithmic Censorship
I used to find immense satisfaction in my role as a volunteer editor and Friend of Medium, but that enthusiasm has waned significantly. It's disheartening to witness how the Medium algorithm often drowns out my contributions and censors vital stories that I aim to highlight.
In December 2023, I was ecstatic to become a Friend of Medium, thanks to the recommendation of my mentor, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz. As an early adopter, I was eager to engage with a community that I cherish deeply. Each day during my retirement, I delve into approximately 100 stories, reviewing, publishing, and curating them to foster greater interaction and vibrancy within the platform. My goal has always been to unite writers and readers, nurturing a collaborative spirit.
As an editor at ILLUMINATION-Curated, I rigorously assess narratives and suggest exceptional ones for boosting. It's fulfilling to see several of my recommendations make it to the curators' list for boosting. Yet, some of the most powerful stories I come across fail to gain the visibility they deserve. While I understand the limitations of the pilot program and the challenge of boosting every nominated piece, it's frustrating that stories I feature struggle to attract views even when highlighted.
The Rising Issue of Censorship
Utilizing my volunteer editorial position, I strive to showcase impactful stories for my readers, particularly for Friends of Medium. Recently, I highlighted three outstanding narratives authored by Shayla Renee 💖, Niko Kivelä, and Seda A. I believed these pieces would resonate with my female audience, as they tackle themes of women's empowerment from diverse perspectives.
Shay's narrative addresses the emotional journey surrounding breast cancer; Niko's piece emphasizes mentoring women in the tech sector; and Seda’s work examines the concept of choice through a historical lens. Though these compelling stories were poised for a wider audience, they struggle to attract even a modest number of views outside of direct links.
Here are the three featured narratives that you might find compelling:
- Breast Cancer: Why Every Woman (& Man) Should Read This Empowering Story.
- Why and How to Support Women in Tech and in Other Male-Dominated Sectors.
- A Disturbing Trend: The Global Push for Regression (Falling Back).
Upon reviewing my statistics, it's clear that only readers accessing my stories through direct links have a chance to engage with them. The algorithm appears to severely limit their visibility, preventing my followers from discovering these stories. With 2.6K followers on my account and around 80K for the publication, it’s concerning to see how few readers are exposed to the stories I feature, primarily due to this algorithmic limitation.
Re-evaluating My Role
As a volunteer editor and Friend of Medium, I find myself questioning the value of my contributions when I cannot elevate significant stories within a community I care for deeply. While I cherish this community, the platform's restrictive nature and algorithmic censorship raise serious doubts about its commitment to diverse voices. If the stories I highlight continue to be overlooked, I may reconsider my involvement and advise others to think twice about joining.
Observing the statistics of the beautiful narratives I edit and publish on ILLUMINATION-Curated, I feel disheartened to see them receive minimal views, typically only from direct links shared on social media. In contrast, less meaningful stories with sensationalized titles often attract thousands of views.
I would love to hear your thoughts on whether you have had a similar experience.
Spotlight on Curated Stories
Here is a selection of boosted stories featured on ILLUMINATION-Curated, skillfully compiled by our diligent editor and boost-nominator, Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming).
Additionally, I recently launched a new publication called Health & Science, where I curate and amplify stories, as well as introduce contributors. Among the writers I have introduced are Naya Monroe, MA, LCDC-I, Dr. Adam Tabriz, and Lawson Wallace. Our other editors have also introduced various talented writers, including:
- Jack Kammer, MSW, MBA
- Joshua Mason
- Thomas Allen Moon
- Sridhar Pai Tonse — Leadgen Coach- Tech Startups
- Zondra Dos Anjos
- Ani Vals
- Ammara Hassan
- Jozsef Kovacs
- Davor Katusic
- Dr. Emmanuel Ogamdi
- Seda Anbarcı
- Sneha Nagre
You can find the links to their introduction stories here: Jack Kammer, Joshua Mason, Thomas Allen Moon, Sridhar Pai Tonse, Zondra Dos Anjos, Ani Vals, Ammara Hassan, Jozsef Kovacs, Dr. Emmanuel Ogamdi, Seda Anbarcı, Sneha Bhimrao Nagre.
We have also compiled profiles for our editors into a collection titled Editor Profiles.
Our chief editor, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, has conducted numerous interviews with writers since 2019, and we have gathered them into a collection, providing links to each interview story.
Our editor, Aiden (Illumination Gaming), has put together all self-introductions by writers in a collection, offering a fantastic opportunity to meet many of our authors through their own biographies. Check out Meet ILLUMINATION Writers from Their Personally Penned Biographies.
If you're a new writer or looking to join our publications, please consult our comprehensive onboarding pack and submission guidelines, as each publication has distinct requirements and serves different audiences.
If you are a writer, don’t forget to join our vibrant ILLUMINATION community on Medium. Here’s How to Become a Writer for ILLUMINATION.
Take a look at how I curate stories from the Health & Science publication on Medium.com.
Furthermore, I also curate stories from ILLUMINATION publications. Here’s the latest edition, where you might find stories on a variety of topics:
Mike's Favorite Stories on ILLUMINATION Publications — #120 💐
About Me
I am a retired scientist in my mid-70s, and my grandkids are my motivation to continue writing on this platform. As a way of giving back, I volunteer as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many emerging writers. I look forward to reading, publishing, and promoting your stories. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You can subscribe to my account to receive updates on my new posts.