Enhancing Medium: A Proposal for a New Feature
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Chapter 1: The Dream Feature
As a writer on Medium, I have compiled a wishlist of "dream features" I would love to see integrated into the platform. Some ideas seem realistic, while others may be a stretch. However, there's one enhancement that I believe Medium could realistically adopt, which would be welcomed by many users. This addition could significantly ease the writing experience for both myself and others.
Before revealing this idea, let me share a challenge that it would address. I have often expressed my admiration for my Medium profile page, as well as those of other writers who have personalized theirs. The "Featured Book" section stands out as my favorite feature. Following that, I cherish my lists, which I have ambitious plans for! Yet, there is one crucial capability that my lists currently lack.
Can you guess what it might be?
At present, the functionalities available for lists include:
- Clapping
- Saving
- Commenting
- Copying the link
- Reordering stories
- Making it private or public
- Sharing on platforms like X, Facebook, and LinkedIn
But what’s missing from this feature set?
No, it’s not the ability to share on additional social media platforms, nor is it the option to share with another user (though that could be interesting). Instead, what I envision is a Friend Link for lists!
Imagine being able to generate a friend link for a list to share it with non-members, allowing them to access all the stories within that compilation. Similar to standard friend links, if I share my own list, I wouldn't earn from non-member views; however, if I provide a link to someone else's list, they could benefit financially (4x since I'm a Friend of Medium).
Perhaps I’m overlooking an obvious drawback, but I genuinely believe this would be a mutually beneficial feature. It would streamline the process of sharing curated content without the hassle of distributing individual friend links.
I’d appreciate your thoughts on this proposal in the comments. Perhaps Tony Stubblebine can weigh in on its feasibility?
Section 1.1: The Benefits of a Friend Link
Adding a Friend Link feature could transform the way we share our curated content. This capability would not only enhance visibility for writers but also create an easier path for readers to explore related stories.
Subsection 1.1.1: Visualizing the Concept
Section 1.2: Engaging the Community
This potential addition could foster greater community engagement on Medium, allowing for a more interactive experience among writers and readers alike.