Last updated: January 2026
Google traffic to Medium stories has become more competitive after several core algorithm updates (Helpful Content, Spam, March 2024 Core Update extensions, and ongoing AI Overviews integration). Yet many writers still land position 1–10 spots for targeted keywords — especially in informational and how-to niches.
The secret? Medium’s massive domain authority (DA 95+) gives your story a huge head start, but ranking depends far more on content quality, topical depth, user satisfaction signals, and smart on-page choices than it did in 2020–2022.
In this 4,000+ word guide you’ll discover exactly how to rank medium articles on google or how to optimize Medium posts for Google in the current landscape — including keyword research that actually works, on-page tactics, authority signals, and realistic expectations for 2025–2026.
Why Some Medium Stories Still Rank Well (and Most Don’t) in 2025–2026
Medium benefits from:
- Extremely high domain rating
- Fast indexing (usually within hours)
- Strong internal linking architecture via tags and publications
- Clean, mobile-first design
However, Google has become stricter about:
- Thin or duplicated content
- AI-generated fluff without real value
- Articles written purely for search instead of readers
- Lack of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
Result: Stories that rank are usually 2,500–5,000+ word deep dives, written by people with real experience, that genuinely solve searcher pain points better than competing pages (including big sites).
If your goal is passive traffic → Medium Partner Program earnings + affiliate commissions, this guide shows you the path.
Step 1: Choose Keywords That Medium Can Actually Win In 2026
Most Medium writers fail here. They target ultra-competitive head terms (“how to make money online”) where Wikipedia, Forbes, and YouTube dominate.
Realistic winning keyword profiles for Medium in 2025–2026
- Monthly searches: 300 – 12,000
- Keyword Difficulty (Ahrefs KD or similar): < 35–40
- SERP features: No heavy video carousels, no news dominance, several “weaker” sites ranking
- Intent: Informational (“how to…”, “what is…”, “best… for beginners”)
- Low commercial density (fewer big affiliate sites or e-commerce)
Tools to find these keywords (free & paid)
- Google autocomplete + “how to rank medium articles on google” + related searches
- AnswerThePublic (free tier)
- AlsoAsked.com
- Low-cost: Keywords Everywhere Chrome extension
- Paid but worth it: Ahrefs, Semrush (use 7-day trials)
Example workflow
- Seed keyword: “Medium SEO”
- Expand → “Medium SEO tips 2025”, “AlsoAsked.com”, “does Medium rank on Google 2025”
- Filter for KD < 30 and volume > 500
- Check top 10: If 4–6 results are personal blogs, Reddit threads, or older Medium posts → good opportunity
Pro tip: Target “year” keywords (e.g., “best writing tools 2026”) — they refresh annually and Medium often captures fresh updates.
Step 2: Write Deep, Helpful Content Google Wants to Rank (E-E-A-T Focus)
Google’s leaked documents and Helpful Content system emphasize one thing: Does this page make the reader feel they no longer need to search again?
Core elements of high-ranking Medium stories
- Length: 2,800–5,500 words for competitive terms (shorter can win low-competition)
- First 300–400 words: Hook + direct value + keyword usage
- Structure: Clear H2/H3 hierarchy, 3–8 sentence paragraphs
- Personal experience: “I increased my Medium views by 320% using…” beats generic advice
- Data & examples: Screenshots, your own stats, case studies
- Original visuals: Custom images, infographics, Canva charts (upload to Medium)
- Lists & tables: Scannable format wins dwell time
Quick E-E-A-T checklist for Medium
- Experience → Share your real results/numbers
- Expertise → Link to your portfolio, other articles, or credentials
- Authoritativeness → Get mentions/claps from known writers
- Trust → No misleading claims, transparent affiliate disclosure
Step 3: Perfect On-Page Optimization Every Time
Medium gives limited control, but use every field wisely.
Title (60–68 characters ideal)
- Include primary keyword near the front
- Add emotional/power word: Ultimate, Complete, 2026, Realistic, Step-by-Step
- Example: “How to Rank Medium Articles on Google in 2026 (Realistic Guide)”
Subtitle (description)
Write 150–160 characters that expand on the title and include secondary keywords.
Tags (5 max)
Choose high-follower relevant tags first → #SEO #Writing #Blogging #Medium #ContentMarketing
Images & alt text
- At least 5–8 original or properly licensed images
- Filename: keyword-related (how-to-rank-medium-articles-2026.jpg)
- Alt text: descriptive + keyword variation
Internal linking
Link to 4–8 of your own Medium stories (especially high-clap ones) using natural anchor text.
External linking
Link out to high-authority sites (Moz, Search Engine Journal, Google docs) — builds trust.
Step 4: Build Initial Signals & Authority Fast
Medium stories need early engagement to convince Google the piece is valuable.
Day 1–7 tactics
- Share in relevant Medium publications (acceptance rate matters less than targeted audience)
- Post on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Reddit (relevant subreddits, no spam)
- Send to your email list or WhatsApp groups
- Ask 5–10 trusted friends to read & clap/comment genuinely
Longer-term authority
- Consistent publishing (1–2 deep articles/week)
- Build a personal brand (bio links to portfolio)
- Get featured in large publications
- Occasional backlinks from guest posts or HARO
Step 5: Promote Without Feeling Salesy (and Monetize Smartly)
Once ranking starts, traffic compounds.
Monetization layers
- Medium Partner Program (views & reads)
- Affiliate links (tools you genuinely use — disclose properly)
- Lead magnets → Newsletter sign-ups
- Own products/courses
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Common Mistakes That Kill Medium Google Rankings
- Targeting KD 70+ keywords
- Publishing 800–1,200 word listicles
- Keyword stuffing title/subtitle
- No personal voice or experience
- Ignoring mobile readability
- Deleting/re-publishing (resets signals)
- Overusing AI without heavy editing
Conclusion & Next Steps :how to rank medium articles on google
Ranking Medium articles on Google in 2026 is still very possible — but it rewards depth, real expertise, reader-first writing, and smart (not aggressive) promotion.
Your realistic 90-day roadmap:
- Week 1–2 → Research 8–10 low-competition keywords
- Week 3–6 → Write and publish 2–3 deep guides (3,000+ words each)
- Week 7–12 → Promote, republish to publications, build backlinks
- Month 4+ → Analyze Google Search Console → double down on winners
Start with one article this week using the framework above.
You’ve got this.
TAMZIDUL HAQUE 🖋️Writer
https://tamzidulhaque.com/ • Medium • Writers Hive Newsletter • Substack
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FAQ
Can Medium articles still rank on Google in 2026?
Yes — many do, especially for mid-tail informational queries. Medium’s domain strength helps, but content must be significantly better than competing pages.
How long does it take for a Medium story to rank on Google?
Anywhere from 3 days to 4–8 months. Quality + early engagement + keyword difficulty determine speed.
What is the best length for Medium articles to rank?
2,800–5,500 words for competitive terms; 1,800–3,000 can win easier keywords if extremely well-written.
Do backlinks still help Medium stories rank?
Yes — external links pointing to your specific story give the biggest boost, followed by domain-wide authority from consistent publishing.
Should I use AI to write Medium posts for Google ranking?
You can use AI for research/outlines, but final content must be heavily edited with personal experience and unique insights — pure AI content rarely ranks well long-term.
Why did my Medium Google traffic drop suddenly?
Likely hit by Helpful Content Update, content decay, or increased competition. Refresh/update old posts with new data and depth.
Is it better to publish on Medium or my own blog for Google rankings?
Long-term: own blog (full control + no platform risk). Short/medium-term: Medium gives faster indexing and authority boost.