Websites Like Medium: Start Your Own Write-and-Earn Article Website

Some websites let people write articles and earn money when other people read them. Medium is the best-known example. Many people search for a "Medium clone script" to start a similar website. A clone script is software that lets you run a similar website yourself, on your own domain. This guide shows websites that use this idea, and how you can start your own with PressFly.

Websites that pay writers

• Medium: In the Medium Partner Program, writers earn money based on how Medium's paying members read their stories.
• Vocal: Vocal pays creators for the reads of their stories. It also has writing challenges with prizes.
• HubPages: Writers in the HubPages Earnings Program earn a part of the ad money from their articles.
• WhatCulture: WhatCulture pays its contributors for the views of their articles.

Each of these companies sets its own rules and rates, and it can change them.

Big article websites that show ads

BuzzFeed, Listverse, Cracked, Sportskeeda, and MakeUseOf publish many articles about many topics. They all show ads on their article pages. They show how big an article website can grow.

You can start smaller, with one topic. When readers like your articles, your website can grow.

How a write-and-earn website works

PressFly is a self-hosted PHP script. This means you install it on your own hosting or server. It works like this:

1. Members write articles. Writers use the editor to add text, images, and videos. They can save drafts and send articles for publishing.
2. Readers visit the articles. Writers share their articles, and your ads appear on the article pages.
3. Each view is checked. Your rules decide if a view is a qualified view. A qualified view is a real visit that earns money. Examples of rules are a reading time based on the article length and a daily limit for each reader.
4. Writers earn money. For each qualified view, the writer earns your CPM rate for the reader's country. CPM is the amount for 1,000 views.
5. Writers receive the money. When a writer reaches the minimum amount, they ask for a withdrawal. You approve it and send the payment.

You earn money from the ads on the article pages. Read more: How do writers earn money with PressFly? and How does the site owner earn money with PressFly?

Write on their website or own the website

What PressFly gives you

• Protection from fake views: a reCAPTCHA v3 score, a reading time, and a daily limit for each reader. Proxy, VPN, and ad-blocker visits do not earn.
• Earnings for writers: A CPM rate for each country, a dashboard with statistics, and earnings for each article.
• Withdrawals: Add your own withdrawal methods, each with a minimum amount.
• Referrals: Members earn a percentage when the people they invite earn money.
• Ads where you want them: In the header, above and below the article, and on the homepage.
• SEO tools: An XML sitemap and Google rich results data for articles. This helps search engines understand your pages.
• Languages: Translate PressFly into any language.
• AdLinkFly connection: Show AdLinkFly short links inside articles. Read Can PressFly work with AdLinkFly?

What you need to start

• A write-and-earn script, such as PressFly.
• Hosting that meets the requirements of the script. Read how to choose hosting.
• A domain name and a clear topic for your website.
• Ads from an advertising network. Read its rules first.
• Withdrawal methods for your writers.
• Clear rules for writers, terms of use, and a privacy policy.

Try PressFly before you buy

Open the PressFly demo, or see PressFly - Monetized Articles System. Do you have questions? Ask us before you buy.

Medium, Vocal, HubPages, WhatCulture, and the other websites in this guide belong to their owners. We are not connected to them. Their rules can change, so check their websites for current details.