Try out custom footers on your Medium stories
A new way to highlight the work you do, on or off Medium
We’ve added more FAQs to the FAQ section to the bottom of this story. Thanks for all your questions and feedback so far, keep it coming!
Medium writers, you can now try out a new custom footer option that lives at the bottom of your stories. Set it up once, and it appears on all your stories. It’s a great way to:
- Point to your latest blog post
- Direct readers to your blog, book, or newsletter
- Promote your other social platforms
- And more — we can’t wait to see the creative ways you use it!
We know there are writers on Medium who just want to share stories without worrying too much about anything else, but we also know there are writers who want to take advantage of Medium’s built-in audience and simple publishing tools to build their business more seriously. Writers have been adding footers, cramming links in their bios (at least 50k+ of you use Medium to direct readers to your newsletter!), and promoting courses, books, newsletters, websites, and more on Medium for a long time.
We plan to charge for the custom footer feature, but want to make it available for all writers to get a chance to hear your feedback. As we look for new ways to support all kinds of writers, we’re exploring tools like this one that would be part of a future set of paid features for writers. Try it out and let us know what you think.
How exactly does Medium’s custom footer work?
Using the custom footer, you can:
- Choose between “contrast” or “subtle” themes to make your footer card stand out or blend in.
- Customize your bio text, beyond what your standard bio has.
- Add up to four buttons directing readers wherever you want.
- Update your social links. We currently support Bluesky, LinkedIn, Substack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, and X.
Anytime you update it in your settings, it will automatically be updated on all your stories. The custom footer is visible to any and all readers.
You can turn on and update your custom footer by going to Settings > Publishing > Manage Story Footer, or use this link. Please note: You can only set it up on Medium web right now, not on the app.
Supporting pro writers more
We love that Medium is the simplest, easiest place to get started writing and reach readers. But it’s also true that writing is one of the most compelling professional pitches you can give, and that writers use Medium in more serious, professional ways, too.
We see and hear every day how writers use Medium as a portfolio to support their career goals, businesses, side gigs, and more. Many Medium employees were hired off the strength of our writing! We want to build more tools to help support writers who want to go beyond casual posting and use Medium as a real avenue for professional growth.
As always, let us know if you have any questions in the responses. We can’t wait to hear what you think.
FAQ
What is the custom footer?
A customizable block that appears at the bottom of every story you publish. Set it up once, and it applies to every story you’ve published on Medium. When you update it in your settings, it will automatically update on every story.
How do I turn it on?
Go to Settings > Publishing > Manage Story Footer, or use this link. Setup is web-only for now.
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What can I put in it?
We expect writers to add custom bio text, promote their course, newsletter, product, meetup, book, consultations, and more. You can also add up to eight social links: Bluesky, LinkedIn, Substack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, and X.
Who sees it?
Any reader who lands on your story.
Is it free?
Yes, for now, but we will charge for it in the future. As we experiment with features that will be part of a future set of paid features for writers, we wanted to make this one available to all writers to get your feedback and hear what you think. When we begin to charge for it, we’ll let you know beforehand.
Why is Medium building this?
Writers have used Medium to support real careers and businesses for a long time. The custom footer is the first tool built for that kind of writer, with more coming.
Will you charge me if I still have the custom footer when it becomes a paid tool?
No surprise bills! We will not charge you unless you specifically click the button to upgrade to get the custom footer.
Before anything changes, we’ll email every writer who uses a custom footer. You’ll have time to decide whether to keep it. If you decide not to, it’ll just disappear from your stories. You can always upgrade at any point to get it back.
Can I turn my footer off?
Yes. Go to Settings > Publishing > Manage Story Footer and switch to the default footer. Your custom settings are saved, so you can switch back anytime.
Can I link to my newsletter, blog, or products outside Medium?
Yes, please do! That’s what it’s for. The only restrictions are that your footer still has to follow the Medium Rules.
Can I add links to my book, ebook, or course?
Yes. You can add up to four buttons, and each one can link anywhere.
Will having a footer affect how my stories are distributed?
Nope! Distribution still depends on how your story meets the distribution guidelines.
Can I use different footers on different stories?
Not yet. One footer applies to all your stories. That’s the big benefit — set it up once, and it applies to all your stories. If you have a new product or platform to promote, you can change it in one place, rather than having to manually update all your stories.
However, if this is something you want, you’re not alone! Several of you asked for this, and we’re listening. Please feel free to raise a ticket here with that feedback if it’s something you’re interested in.
Does my footer show on stories I publish in a publication?
Your footer shows on all your stories, including ones you publish in publications.
Can I see how many readers click my footer?
Footer stats aren’t available to writers right now. (Again, we know this is something writers are interested in and asking for!)
Can I change the colors, fonts, or layout?
For now, you can pick one of two themes: contrast or subtle. More colors, fonts, and a more compact layout are among the most common requests, and we’re tracking them.
In case you’re interested in our behind-the-scenes discussion: We’re always balancing the needs of writers with those of readers. Writers love customization and the chance to promote. Readers on the other hand often tell us how much they love the smooth, distraction-free reading experience Medium gives them. That’s why we opted for subtler footer design options to start.
I don’t use some of the social platforms. Can I hide them or add others?
Only the social links you fill in and switch to visible will appear. For a platform we don’t support yet, like Gumroad, feel free to add it as a button.
Where do I send feedback?
Leave a response on this story, or send us a note of feedback through the support desk here.
