Honestly, my experience has been positive even when my engagement is down. I don’t feel like Medium owes me anything and I’m pleased when I do make a little something on a good month. The writers who got $500 bonuses participated in a program where they were required to write a minimum number of articles and collaborate with editors— they weren’t just handed free money. I like that Medium is changing gears to focus on writers rather than publications, since they are really a blogging platform at heart and they should reward the diligent bloggers.

If it isn’t the right platform for you, move on. You’re not obligated to be here or owed anything.