Introduction
If you’ve ever dreamed of earning money by sharing your words, Medium remains one of the best platforms in 2025. The site has matured into a place where both beginners and seasoned writers can connect with millions of readers and actually get paid for it.
This year, Medium rolled out one of its biggest updates yet — payouts are no longer limited to member reading time alone. A new external traffic payout pool rewards writers when non-members arrive from search engines, social media, or newsletters.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how the Medium Partner Program 2025 works, what changed, how payouts are calculated, and the strategies you can use to grow your earnings step by step.
What Is the Medium Partner Program?
At its core, the Medium Partner Program is a system that pays writers when readers engage with their stories. Instead of ads or clicks, Medium focuses on value: the more readers spend time with your work, the more you earn.
When you write for free on Medium, your content can reach an audience but it won’t earn you money. Joining the Partner Program unlocks monetization. Every view from a paying Medium member — measured by reading time — contributes to your payout.
Writers often refer to this system as Medium earnings or Medium article monetization. It’s a direct exchange: you create engaging stories, and Medium shares revenue from its membership fees with you.
What’s New in 2025? (The Big Update)
The major shift in 2025 is the external traffic pool. For the first time, Medium has set aside about 5% of its total payout pool to reward views from outside the platform.
That means if someone discovers your article through Google, Twitter/X, or even a friend’s newsletter, you can now earn from that traffic. Before this change, only paying Medium members contributed to payouts.
Here’s a simple example:
1. Imagine your article gets 1,000 visitors from Google.
2. Those views are added to the external traffic pool.
3. You’ll receive a slice of that pool based on how much engagement your piece generated compared to other writers.
This move levels the playing field for SEO-focused writers and makes Medium more attractive to creators who know how to bring in audiences beyond the platform.
How Medium Calculates Partner Payouts
Understanding payouts is key to maximizing them. Here’s the breakdown:
1. Reading Time: Still the biggest factor. The longer a member reads, the more you earn.
2. Claps, Highlights, and Follows: Engagement signals that help determine distribution and boost your visibility. While claps don’t directly equal cash, they influence how your story spreads.
3. Member Engagement: Only engagement from Medium subscribers feeds the main payout pool.
4. Non-Members: In 2025, non-member views contribute through the external traffic pool.
A common question is: How much does Medium pay per read? There’s no fixed rate. Payments depend on member subscription revenue, total engagement, and your share compared to other writers.
Think of it as slicing a pie: the more engaged readers you bring, the bigger your slice.
Enrollment & Requirements
Joining the Partner Program is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step process:
1. Eligibility: You need a Medium account with a complete profile and active writing history.
2. Enrollment: Sign up for the Partner Program in your settings.
3. Payment Method: Link your account to Stripe or PayPal, depending on your region.
4. Payout Threshold: Medium pays monthly once your balance hits at least $10.
If you’re wondering how to qualify for the Medium Partner Program in 2025, the bar is low. The real work begins once you’re inside — writing consistently and attracting readers.
Medium’s Revenue Model Explained
Medium makes money through member subscriptions (currently $5/month or $50/year). That money forms a pooled revenue fund that’s split between writers.
Here’s the simplified flow:
| Step | Source | Where It Goes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Readers pay subscription fees | Medium membership revenue pool |
| 2 | Pool is divided | Based on member reading time + external traffic pool |
| 3 | Writers are paid | Proportional to their share of engagement |
Writers also benefit if their story is read by “Friend of Medium” members, a special tier that includes premium engagement. This model ensures payouts are tied to genuine reader interest, not clickbait or ads.
Strategies to Maximize Your Earnings in 2025
Write for SEO & External Traffic
Google and social traffic now matter more than ever. Use keyword research, smart tags, and evergreen topics to capture search intent. Don’t forget to share links in newsletters or on LinkedIn.
Increase Member Engagement
Medium still prioritizes subscribers. Write longer, thoughtful pieces that keep readers scrolling. Use headings, bullet points, and storytelling to encourage highlights and claps.
Leverage Publications & Curation
Submitting your story to a popular Medium publication can multiply its reach. If your work gets curated or boosted, it often gains thousands of extra views.
Diversify Traffic Sources
Relying on Medium alone is risky. Build your audience on X, Facebook, and your own mailing list. Each channel is another funnel into your stories.
These strategies align with Medium’s distribution algorithm and give you a stronger shot at consistent payouts.
External Traffic Optimization (The 2025 Game-Changer)
The difference between internal and external traffic is simple:
1. Internal = Medium members browsing the platform.
2. External = Non-members arriving from outside sources.
To earn from external readers:
1. Focus on SEO: Write around long-tail queries people search for.
2. Add Friend Links: Share them when promoting stories to make your work more accessible.
3. Repurpose Content: Adapt your blog posts, LinkedIn articles, or email content into Medium stories.
So, can external traffic earn you money on Medium in 2025? Absolutely — and writers who master SEO may see bigger rewards than ever before.
Payment Process & Thresholds
Medium pays writers on a monthly basis. Here’s what to know:
1. Cycle: Earnings close at the end of the month and are paid the following month.
2. Threshold: Minimum payout is $10.
3. Methods: Stripe or PayPal depending on country.
4. Tracking: You can monitor your payout settings and detailed reports in your dashboard.
Question answered: What is the minimum payout threshold on Medium? → It’s $10, a low barrier for new writers.
Common Myths & Misconceptions
1. “Medium pays per clap.” ❌ Wrong. Claps are signals, not currency.
2. “You only earn from members.” ❌ Outdated. In 2025, external readers count too.
3. “Short articles earn less.” ❌ Not always true. Shorter stories can perform well if they deliver value and keep readers engaged.
Pros & Cons of the Medium Partner Program 2025
Pros
1. External traffic payout rewards SEO efforts.
2. Huge built-in audience.
3. Simple enrollment and setup.
4. Revenue potential without ads.
Cons
1. Highly competitive writing space.
2. Algorithm-driven distribution can feel unpredictable.
3. External pool is still a small percentage of total payouts.
Case Study Example
Let’s break down a scenario:
-
10,000 views in a month
-
8,000 from Medium members → counted in main pool.
-
2,000 from Google searches → counted in external pool.
-
Result: You’d earn both from reading time metric and from the external traffic pool, creating a more balanced revenue stream than in previous years.
Best Practices for New Writers
-
Publish Consistently: Aim for two to three posts per week.
-
Build Niche Authority: Readers trust consistent voices.
-
Craft Compelling Titles: Blend SEO keywords with curiosity.
-
Cross-Promote: Don’t wait for Medium alone to do the work. Share everywhere.
Conclusion
The Medium Partner Program 2025 is evolving. Writers can now earn from both loyal Medium members and external readers through the new traffic pool. The keys to success remain the same: write engaging stories, optimize for search, and promote consistently.
If you adapt to these changes, you’ll not only grow your audience but also your earnings. Start writing today, join the program, and turn your words into income on Medium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medium pay for non-member reads?
Yes, through the external traffic pool introduced in 2025.
How much does Medium pay per read?
There’s no set rate. It depends on member engagement and your share of the pool.
Do claps influence Medium earnings?
Indirectly. They boost visibility and distribution but don’t pay directly.
How do I track Medium earnings?
Through the earnings dashboard under Partner Program settings.
Best tags for Medium articles 2025?
Use 3–5 highly relevant keywords, mixing broad topics with niche tags.
How to get curated or boosted?
Focus on quality writing, clear formatting, and originality. Curators select stories that stand out.
