Join Medium Partner Program: Step-by-Step Guide

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide walks you through joining the Medium Partner Program so you can earn money from your stories based on reader engagement. You’ll need a Medium account, a published story (or ready to publish one), and a valid payment method (bank account or PayPal) to receive payouts. Follow the steps below to get started.

What You’ll Need

A Medium account (free or Member).
A published story on Medium (you can publish after joining, but you need at least one to be eligible).
A valid bank account (for direct deposit) or PayPal account for payouts.
You must be at least 18 years old.
You must reside in a country where the Partner Program is available (Medium lists supported countries).

Step-by-Step

Sign in to Medium – Go to medium.com and log in with your account credentials. If you don’t have an account, create one for free.
Go to your Settings – Click your profile picture (top right), then select Settings from the dropdown menu.
Find the Partner Program section – In the left sidebar, look for Partner Program. If you don’t see it, ensure you have at least one published story; if not, publish a draft first.
Click “Join the Partner Program” – This button appears on the Partner Program page. If it’s not visible, you may need to check your eligibility (see Troubleshooting).
Review the terms – Read the Partner Program agreement carefully. It outlines how earnings are calculated and your responsibilities. Click Accept to proceed.
Set up your payment method – You’ll be prompted to add a bank account or PayPal. For bank, enter your account details (routing and account numbers for US). For PayPal, enter your email. Ensure the name matches your Medium account.
Complete tax information – Depending on your country, you may need to fill out a W-9 (US) or W-8BEN (non-US) form. This is required for tax reporting. Provide your legal name and address.
Submit and verify – After submitting, Medium may send a verification email or deposit a small amount to your bank to confirm. Follow the instructions to verify your payment method.
Start publishing eligible stories – Once accepted, your stories can earn money when members read them. Make sure each story is set to “For members” when publishing (the default for Partner Program).

Common Mistakes

Not having a published story – The Partner Program requires at least one published story before you can join. Publish a draft first, even if it’s a short post.
Using an unsupported country – Medium’s Partner Program is not available in all countries. Check the list of supported countries in Medium’s help center before applying.
Incorrect payment info – A typo in your bank account or PayPal email can delay payouts. Double-check every digit and character.
Skipping tax forms – Without a completed tax form, Medium cannot process payments. Fill out the W-9 or W-8BEN accurately.
Publishing stories as “Public” instead of “For members” – Only member-only stories earn Partner Program revenue. When publishing, select the “For members” option.

Tips

Write consistently – Earnings are based on reading time and engagement, so frequent, quality posts tend to perform better.
Use tags effectively – Choose up to 5 relevant tags to help readers discover your stories.
Promote your stories – Share on social media, newsletters, or your own website to drive traffic to Medium.
Engage with the community – Comment on other stories, respond to comments, and participate in publications to build an audience.
Track your earnings – Use the Partner Program dashboard to see which stories perform best and adjust your strategy.

Troubleshooting

“Join” button is grayed out or missing – This usually means you don’t have a published story yet. Publish any draft (even a test post) and wait a few minutes, then refresh the Partner Program page.

Country not supported – If your country is not listed, you cannot join. You may consider relocating (not practical) or using a different platform. Medium’s list is updated periodically, so check back.

Payment verification fails – If the micro-deposit doesn’t appear within 3-5 business days, re-enter your bank details. For PayPal, ensure the email is correct and that you’ve confirmed it with PayPal.

Tax form errors – If your W-9/W-8BEN is rejected, check that your name and address exactly match your tax records. Contact Medium support if the issue persists.

Earnings not showing – Earnings update daily, but there can be a delay. If after 48 hours you see nothing, check that your stories are set to “For members” and that you’ve enabled the Partner Program in your story settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to be a Medium member to join?
A: No, you can join with a free account. However, you must have at least one published story.

Q: How much money can I earn?
A: Earnings vary widely based on reading time, member engagement, and story length. There’s no fixed rate; Medium pays based on a formula that changes monthly.

Q: When do I get paid?
A: Medium pays out monthly, typically around the 15th, for earnings from the previous month. You must reach a minimum payout threshold (usually $10).

Q: Can I join with a PayPal account from any country?
A: PayPal is available in many countries, but Medium only supports PayPal for certain regions. Check Medium’s help center for the current list.

Q: What happens if I close my Medium account?
A: You’ll lose access to your earnings if you haven’t withdrawn them. It’s best to withdraw before closing.

Q: Can I have multiple Medium accounts in the Partner Program?
A: No, Medium’s terms allow only one account per person for the Partner Program. Creating multiple accounts may result in termination.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.