Why we stopped writing on Medium (and went to your email inbox)

2026-04-23 · Source: Artificial Intelligence on Medium · Field: Media & Entertainment — Publishing & Journalism, Content Creation & Production, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Update or Die, a content platform with over 20 years of experience, has shifted its primary publishing strategy from Medium to a direct-to-inbox newsletter format. This change is driven by the increasing "noise" and algorithm-driven content on public platforms, which the team believes prioritizes retention over valuable professional development. Their new newsletter offers premium, human-curated content focusing on Artificial Intelligence, innovative campaigns, and communication insights, filtered through their two-decade perspective. The move aims to provide a distraction-free experience for decision-makers and creative professionals, ensuring that their "denser content" reaches subscribers directly without algorithmic interference.

Key takeaway

For marketing professionals and decision-makers seeking high-value, curated content, consider subscribing to Update or Die's newsletter. This shift highlights the growing challenge of algorithmic noise on platforms like Medium, suggesting that direct-to-inbox delivery can offer a more focused and professionally relevant reading experience, free from distractions and retention-focused algorithms.

Key insights

Direct email newsletters offer a curated, distraction-free alternative to noisy, algorithm-driven content platforms.

Principles

• Human curation enhances AI-assisted content.
• Direct delivery bypasses algorithmic gatekeepers.

In practice

• Prioritize direct communication channels.
• Focus on human-curated content value.

Topics

• Update or Die
• Content Strategy
• Email Newsletters
• Human Curation
• Algorithmic Influence

Best for: Director of AI/ML, Marketing Professional, Consultant

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Artificial Intelligence on Medium.