When I first started writing online, Medium felt like the perfect home. It had an elegant design, built-in readers, and an instant sense of community. For a while, it gave me everything I thought I needed as a writer: exposure, validation, and engagement. But as time passed, I realized that growing on Medium was like building a beautiful house on rented land. I didn’t own the space, nor did I have control over what happened to it. That realization pushed me to make a big decision: switching from Medium to my own blog.
This change didn’t just alter how I published; it transformed how I thought about content creation, ownership, and long-term growth.
The Illusion of Ownership on Medium
Medium presents itself as a platform that empowers writers, but the truth is that writers don’t truly own their work there. Your content lives on Medium’s servers and can be taken down or hidden behind paywalls at any time. The layout, visibility, and monetization are all dictated by the platform’s ever-changing algorithm.
When I wrote an article that unexpectedly went viral, I expected it to bring sustained growth. Instead, the spike faded in a few days. Medium’s distribution system, while powerful, favors fresh content and algorithmic relevance, not necessarily depth or longevity. That’s when it struck me: my success was at the mercy of a system I couldn’t control.
Owning a self-hosted blog, on the other hand, means your content belongs entirely to you. You decide how it looks, how it’s distributed, and how long it stays up. There’s no fear of losing years of effort if a platform shuts down or changes its policy overnight.
Creative Freedom and Branding Opportunities
Medium’s minimalist layout is beautiful, but it also limits your creative identity. Every story on Medium looks the same. While that uniformity keeps the reading experience consistent, it also erases personal branding. My voice may have been distinct, but visually, it blended in with thousands of other writers.
Once I moved to my own blog, I could finally express my style, from typography and layout to color palette and imagery. I could align my website’s design with my brand’s tone. My readers could immediately recognize my work, not just by my name but by the visual experience I created.
This level of customization is impossible on Medium. A personal blog, on the other hand, becomes an extension of who you are as a writer or entrepreneur. It’s not just a collection of posts; it’s your digital home.
Building Long-Term SEO Value
Medium gives writers exposure through its internal recommendation engine, but it doesn’t prioritize your long-term visibility outside the platform. Articles written on Medium are optimized for Medium’s domain, not yours. That means even if your post ranks on Google, the traffic benefits Medium, not your personal brand.
When I began optimizing my own blog for SEO, the difference was striking. Every post I published contributed to the growth of my website’s authority. My older posts continued to attract readers through organic search months later. This long-tail visibility simply doesn’t happen as effectively on Medium.
Moreover, I could use tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, and SEO plugins to understand my audience better. I learned what keywords drove readers to my site and how to write more strategically. The ability to analyze and adapt is one of the greatest advantages of running a self-hosted blog.
Monetization and Ownership of Revenue
One of the biggest motivators for switching from Medium to my own blog was the freedom to monetize in my own way. On Medium, writers depend on the Partner Program, which pays based on reading time and engagement from paying members. While this works for some, it’s unpredictable and heavily dependent on Medium’s internal traffic.
With my own blog, I could diversify income streams. I began offering sponsored posts, affiliate links, digital products, and my own services. Every bit of revenue came directly to me, not filtered through a platform’s system. This independence gave me both financial control and creative flexibility.
A blog can become more than a writing platform; it can evolve into a business. Whether you’re a freelancer, educator, or entrepreneur, your website acts as your online portfolio, store, and marketing tool all in one.
The SEO Power of a Self-Hosted Blog
One of the biggest surprises after the switch was the steady and compounding growth of my traffic. Medium offers visibility, but it’s fleeting. A post might do well for a few days and then disappear into obscurity. On my own blog, however, each post builds long-term authority.
By focusing on proper keyword research, interlinking between articles, and optimizing for search engines, my blog’s traffic grew steadily over the months. I began to rank for terms related to my niche and attract readers who were genuinely interested in my content. That’s when I realized that organic search traffic is far more sustainable than social shares or algorithmic exposure.
Audience Relationship and Community Building
Medium’s followers are tied to the platform, not to you. If someone follows you on Medium, they’re following your profile, not your brand. When I switched to my own blog, I started building my email list. Instead of hoping people would see my next post on Medium, I could directly reach my audience through newsletters.
This shift turned casual readers into loyal followers. I could nurture relationships, get feedback, and share updates beyond the platform’s limitations. A blog lets you build a genuine connection with your readers, which is something algorithm-driven platforms rarely allow.
Lessons Learned and Why I’ll Never Go Back
Switching from Medium to my own blog taught me more than just technical skills; it reshaped how I view online writing. Medium is a great starting point, especially for new writers who need exposure, but it’s not a long-term home for serious creators. Once you realize the value of control, branding, and independence, there’s no turning back.
I still cross-post selected articles on Medium for visibility, but my main focus remains my blog. It’s where I grow my audience, build my business, and establish authority in my niche. If you’ve been writing on Medium and feeling stuck, consider taking that leap.
Owning your blog is like owning your home. You can decorate it, expand it, and benefit from every improvement you make. Medium is like renting an apartment, convenient at first, but ultimately limiting.
Conclusion
The journey from Medium to my own blog was not about abandoning a platform; it was about reclaiming control. My words, my traffic, my income, they all now belong to me. For writers who want to build a brand, grow an audience, and create lasting impact, having your own space is not optional; it’s essential.
If you’re still debating whether to make the switch, remember this: every great brand starts by owning its story, and that begins with owning its platform.
Great post! I totally agree that the “rented land” feeling on Medium eventually becomes too limiting. Ownership is everything for long-term growth, and your point about the SEO value benefiting Medium instead of your own brand is crucial. How long did the entire migration process, from planning to the new blog’s launch, actually take you?
Thank for sharing great tips.