Setting up your Medium profile and publication

You click on a Medium writer whose article caught your attention. The profile photo is a default gray silhouette. The bio is empty. The latest articles are three years old. You go back to the feed. That thirty-second profile visit just cost the writer a follow and maybe a website click. Medium profile and publication setup is not cosmetic busywork. It is the foundation that tells readers whether your brand is worth trusting with their next ten minutes.

Here is how to set up your Medium presence for brand marketing, whether you publish from an individual profile or a branded publication.

Setting up your Medium profile

Account basics

Create a Medium account using an email your team controls. Choose a display name that matches your brand or the named expert who will write. Upload a clear profile photo: a professional headshot for founder-led brands, a logo for corporate accounts. Write a bio in two to three sentences that states who you are, what you write about, and where readers can learn more. Include a link to your website.

Profile optimization for discovery

Your profile page lists all published articles, so early articles shape first impressions. Pin your strongest piece or ensure your most recent articles represent your best work. Follow relevant writers and publications in your category. Medium surfaces activity from accounts you follow, and following establishes your brand within the platform's topic communities.

About page and social links

Medium profiles support a short about section. Use it to expand on your expertise and include links to your website, newsletter, or key resources. Keep it concise. Readers who reach your profile after finishing an article want a quick reason to follow, not a second article-length bio.

Creating a Medium publication

When to use a publication vs a profile

A Medium publication functions like a branded magazine. It supports multiple writers, custom header images, and a dedicated following separate from individual author profiles. Choose a publication when multiple team members will publish or when you want a distinct brand identity beyond any single writer. Use an individual profile when one founder or expert is the primary voice.

Publication setup steps

From your Medium account, create a new publication. Choose a name that reflects your brand or topic focus. Upload a publication logo and header image that match your brand visual identity. Write a publication description explaining what readers will find. Add yourself and any contributors as editors or writers. Configure submission settings if you accept guest contributions.

Publication branding elements

Publications support a logo, header banner, and about section. These elements appear on every article published under the publication. Consistent branding builds recognition when readers encounter your articles across Medium's feed and search. Avoid generic stock imagery. Use visuals that connect to your brand's actual work or expertise.

Configuration choices that affect performance

Canonical links and cross-posting

If you publish the same article on your website and Medium, set the canonical link to the version you want search engines to prioritize. Medium supports importing articles with automatic canonical tags pointing to the original source. This prevents duplicate content issues while still distributing the article to Medium's audience.

Email and notification settings

Enable notifications for responses and mentions so you can engage with readers promptly. Configure email preferences to receive Medium's writer statistics and distribution updates. Responding to comments within the first 48 hours after publication signals active engagement to both readers and the distribution algorithm.

Partner Program enrollment

Enroll in the Partner Program if you want to earn from member reading time. Enrollment requires connecting a payment method and agreeing to program terms. You can publish on Medium without enrolling, but Partner Program membership is required for monetization and affects how some distribution features work.

For who should invest in a Medium presence, see who should be on Medium. For content formats to publish once setup is complete, see Medium content types. For formatting best practices, see Medium article formatting and visual strategy.

Frequently asked questions