Medium is a popular platform for writers to share their stories and ideas with a large audience. While most posts on Medium are public, there may be times when you want to share a post with a select group of people or keep it hidden from the public eye. This is where unlisted posts come in.
Creating an unlisted post on Medium allows you to share your content with a specific audience without making it public. Unlisted posts can only be accessed by people who have the link to the post, and they will not appear in Medium’s search results or on your profile page. This makes unlisted posts a great option for sharing sensitive or personal stories, or for sharing drafts with a select group of people for feedback before publishing publicly.
Understanding Medium’s Privacy Settings
Medium offers three privacy settings: Public, Unlisted, and Draft. Public posts are visible to everyone on the internet, while Drafts are only visible to you. Unlisted posts are not visible in the Medium feed or search results, but can be accessed through a direct link.
Unlisted posts are a great option if you want to share your writing with a specific audience without making it public. For instance, you can share a draft with an editor or beta reader without making it visible to the public.
To create an unlisted post, enter edit mode on your story page and click the three-dot button in the top-right corner. Then, select “Manage unlisted setting” and click “Yes” to make the post unlisted.
It’s important to note that unlisted posts are not completely private. Anyone with the direct link can still access the post, so it’s not recommended to share sensitive or confidential information in an unlisted post.
Creating Your Medium Account
If you want to create an unlisted Medium post, the first thing you need to do is create a Medium account. Here’s how to do it:
Signing Up
To sign up for Medium, go to medium.com and click on the “Get started” button in the top right corner of the screen. You will be prompted to sign up using your Google, Facebook, Twitter, or Apple account. Alternatively, you can sign up using your email address.
Once you have chosen your preferred sign-up method, follow the prompts to create your account. You will need to provide some basic information, such as your name and email address. Make sure to choose a strong password to protect your account.
Setting Up Your Profile
After you have created your Medium account, you will need to set up your profile. Your profile is where you can share information about yourself, your interests, and your writing.
To set up your profile, click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen and select “Edit profile” from the dropdown menu. Here, you can add a profile picture, a header image, and a bio. You can also add links to your website and social media accounts.
Make sure to fill out your profile completely and accurately. This will help readers find and connect with you on Medium. It will also help you establish your credibility and authority as a writer.
By following these steps, you can create a Medium account and set up your profile. Once you have done this, you will be ready to start writing and publishing unlisted posts on Medium.
Drafting Your Post
When it comes to creating an unlisted Medium post, drafting your content is a crucial step. Here are some tips for drafting your post:
Choosing a Topic
Selecting a topic for your post is the first step in drafting your content. Choose a topic that is relevant to your audience and aligns with your niche. Conduct research and brainstorm ideas to come up with a unique and engaging topic.
Writing Your Post
Once you have a topic, it’s time to start writing your post. Keep your writing professional and engaging, and make sure to proofread for any errors. Use short paragraphs and subheadings to make your content easy to read.
Adding Images and Links
Images and links can enhance your post and make it more engaging. Make sure to use high-quality images that are relevant to your topic. Use links to provide additional information or to cite sources. When adding links, make sure they are relevant and add value to your post.
In summary, drafting your post is a crucial step in creating an unlisted Medium post. Choose a relevant topic, write engaging content, and add images and links to enhance your post. By following these tips, you can create a high-quality post that resonates with your audience.
Publishing Your Post as Unlisted
To publish a post as unlisted on Medium, you need to select the “Unlisted” option. Here are the steps you need to follow to publish your post as unlisted:
Selecting ‘Unlisted’ Option
- Open your draft post on Medium.
- Click on the three-dot button in the top right corner of the page.
- From the dropdown menu, click on “Manage unlisted setting.”
- Click “Yes” in the menu that says “Make this story unlisted.”
- Click “Save.”
Final Review
Before publishing your post as unlisted, it’s important to review it carefully. Make sure that all the information is accurate and that the post is formatted correctly. You can preview your post by clicking on the “Preview” button in the top right corner of the page.
Publish
Once you’re satisfied with your post, you can publish it as unlisted by clicking on the “Publish” button in the top right corner of the page. Your post will be published as unlisted, which means that it will not appear in any search results or on your profile page. However, anyone with the link to your post will be able to view it.
Publishing your post as unlisted can be useful if you want to share your post with a select group of people or if you want to keep your post private. Keep in mind that unlisted posts can still be shared with others if someone shares the link to your post.
Sharing Your Unlisted Post
Sharing the Link
Once you have created an unlisted post on Medium, you may want to share it with others. Sharing an unlisted post is easy, as all you need to do is share the URL of the post. Anyone who has the link will be able to view the post, even if they do not have a Medium account.
To share the link, simply copy the URL of the post and send it to the person you want to share it with. You can also share the link on social media or other platforms to reach a wider audience. Keep in mind that once you share the link, anyone with access to it can view the post, so be sure to only share it with people you trust.
Considerations When Sharing
When sharing an unlisted post, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. First, unlisted posts are not password-protected, so anyone with the link can view the post. This means that if you want to keep the post private, you should only share the link with trusted individuals.
Second, unlisted posts are not indexed by search engines, so they will not appear in search results. This can be a good thing if you want to keep the post hidden, but it also means that people may not be able to find it if they are looking for it.
Finally, keep in mind that unlisted posts can still be reported and removed if they violate Medium’s content policies. So, if you are sharing a post that could be considered controversial or sensitive, be sure to review Medium’s policies to ensure that it does not violate any rules.
In summary, sharing an unlisted post on Medium is easy and can be a great way to share your writing with others. Just remember to only share the link with trusted individuals, keep in mind the considerations when sharing, and review Medium’s content policies to ensure that your post is compliant.
Managing Your Unlisted Post
Once you’ve created an unlisted post on Medium, you may need to manage it. This includes editing the post after publishing, deleting it, or making it public.
Editing After Publishing
Editing your unlisted post after publishing is straightforward. Simply navigate to your post and click on the “Edit” button. Make the necessary changes and click “Publish” to update your post.
Deleting or Making the Post Public
If you decide to delete your unlisted post, navigate to the post and click on the three-dot button in the top-right corner. From the drop-down menu, select “Delete Story.” Confirm the deletion by clicking “Delete” in the pop-up window.
Alternatively, you may want to make your unlisted post public. To do this, navigate to the post and click on the three-dot button in the top-right corner. From the drop-down menu, select “Manage Unlisted Setting.” Click “No” in the menu “Make this story unlisted” to make your post public.
Remember, once you make your post public, it will be visible to everyone on Medium. So, make sure you’re ready to share your post with the world before making it public.