Chapter 1: The Engagement Dilemma

Lately, I've come across several posts on Facebook where authors express frustration over group members claiming to have read and interacted with their stories, despite not actually doing so. This has led to discord within the groups and resulted in some members choosing to leave. For those unfamiliar, we utilize multiple groups to circulate our stories with the hope that others will engage by reading, applauding, highlighting, and responding. So, what prompts individuals to claim engagement when they haven't truly participated?

Section 1.1: The Role of Facebook Groups

Do Facebook groups enhance or hinder your earnings on Medium? Are you potentially diminishing your financial returns by sharing your work in these groups?

For some, the aim is simply to gain engagement without the author realizing their deception. However, in most cases, the issue isn't intentional dishonesty; rather, it stems from Medium's own operational quirks. It’s essential to recognize that Medium's statistics can take up to 48 hours to be fully processed. While updates occur every 24 hours, there can still be a delay of up to two days. For instance, at the end of April, my earnings appeared to be just over $8, but a few days later, the figure surged to over $15. This discrepancy occurs because some of my earnings had not yet been recorded when the month closed.

Section 1.2: Understanding Statistics

Another factor to consider is the different statistics displayed on the stats page. The top figure may indicate a certain number of readers, while a lower statistic could show a higher count. The reason for this inconsistency remains unclear, but it may reflect the total number of readers whose engagements have been processed.

Upon closer inspection, you might find that the same story has recorded 12 readers. This likely means that the extra two readers joined today, as I can verify by hovering over today’s date. Typically, those two additional readers will be reflected in the total count within 24 hours. Therefore, patience is key; don’t prematurely discount your audience.

Chapter 2: Navigating Engagement Expectations

For those anticipating reciprocal engagement, it’s wise to leave a comment on the post from which you engaged. Medium's notification system does not always operate in real-time. There have been instances where a user commented about engaging with my work, yet their names were absent from my notifications, even though my story indicated their interaction. We can't respond if we're unaware of their engagement. Additionally, some users may use different names on Facebook than they do on Medium, which could prevent recognition of their interactions.

The first video, "Confronting The Engagement Lie," delves into the intricacies of perceived dishonesty in engagement on platforms like Medium. It discusses why some individuals may feel compelled to misrepresent their interactions and the broader implications of this behavior.

The second video, "Why Your Partner is Lying, Based on Research," explores the psychology behind dishonesty and how external factors can influence individuals' behaviors and communications.

In conclusion, I hope this clarifies the reasons behind the lack of visible engagements. It’s possible that the engagements simply haven’t been processed yet. Focus more on the claps and comments your story receives rather than on Medium statistics, which are likely not updated in real-time.