Medium Publication Naming: Build a Recognizable Writing Brand

Medium remains one of the most powerful platforms for writers, thought leaders, and content marketers. Whether you're creating a personal profile or launching a publication, your name directly affects discoverability and credibility.

Medium Username vs Publication Name

Medium has two naming layers:

Personal Username

Your handle (medium.com/@yourusername) identifies you as an author. It appears on every story you publish and in your profile URL.

Publication Name

Publications are collections of stories from multiple writers, branded under a single name. Think of them as magazines within Medium. Publication URLs look like medium.com/publication-name.

Choosing Your Medium Username

Use Your Real Name

For personal branding and thought leadership, your real name is usually the best choice. It builds recognition that transfers to speaking engagements, books, and consulting.

Match Your Other Handles

If you're "janesmith" on Twitter and GitHub, be "janesmith" on Medium. Consistency helps people find you across platforms.

Keep It Professional

Medium's audience skews professional and intellectual. A clean, professional username fits the platform culture better than a quirky handle.

Naming Your Medium Publication

Clarity Over Cleverness

Your publication name should immediately communicate what readers will find. "The Startup" tells you exactly what to expect. "Better Programming" leaves no doubt about the content.

Include Keywords

Medium publications rank in Google search results. A name containing relevant keywords helps with discoverability:

• ✅ "UX Design Collective" (clear topic + good SEO)
• ❌ "The Pixel" (vague, no search context)

Make It Brandable

The best publication names work as standalone brands:

• Towards Data Science — Clear, professional, brandable
• Better Marketing — Simple, aspirational, topical
• The Writing Cooperative — Descriptive and community-oriented

Check Uniqueness

Search Medium for existing publications with similar names. Search Google for the name plus "medium" to see what comes up.

Publication URL Optimization

Your publication URL (the slug) should be:

• Lowercase and hyphenated
• Matching your publication name as closely as possible
• Short enough to share easily
• Free of unnecessary words

Growing Your Medium Presence

Consistent Publishing

Medium's algorithm favors regular publishing. Set a schedule and stick to it.

Quality Over Quantity

One well-researched, deeply valuable article per week outperforms daily filler content.

Engage with the Community

Clap for and respond to other writers. Medium is a community — participation drives visibility.

Leverage Medium's Distribution

Submit stories to large publications for amplified reach. Publications like Better Programming (700K+ followers) can massively boost your visibility.

Cross-Promote

Link your Medium content from Twitter, LinkedIn, and your website. Drive traffic from platforms where you're established.

Medium for Business Content Marketing

Many companies use Medium publications as a content marketing channel:

• Lower barrier than maintaining a blog — No hosting, design, or technical setup
• Built-in audience — Medium's recommendation engine distributes your content
• SEO benefits — Medium has high domain authority
• Professional credibility — Well-crafted Medium content builds brand authority

Custom Domains on Medium

Medium allows custom domains for publications, meaning you can serve your publication at blog.yourbrand.com while leveraging Medium's infrastructure and audience.

Build Your Writing Brand Holistically

Your Medium presence should be part of a broader personal or company brand. Before committing to a name, check that it's available across all the platforms you'll use.

Use BrandScout to check your brand name across domains and social platforms. Ensure your Medium name aligns with your broader digital identity.