I love the idea. Thankfully, someone like you with a data background can help shed some light on the mystery.

I didn't get any bonus, and I'm not expecting any because I don't publish often. However, if this is going to be a regular thing, it looks like it's the same people over and over again who will receive the same bonuses if "high engagement" were the basis. The $500 top writers already have the large number of followers to keep engagement high, and the only way any of the $100 writers can rise to that tier is if any of the $500 writers slack off--which I doubt will happen, given the very competitive incentive. The $100 and $50 writers can keep on writing and adding followers to make it to the top, but so will the $500 writers to keep their positions.

But then again, perhaps this is just an experiment. For all we know, Medium might introduce adjustments, like broaden the range per tier, or change criteria from time to time. Or stop the giving of bonuses altogether.

There is a very large gap between the few big earners, and the vast majority who earn below $100. I've read excellent writers who don't earn that much. Bonuses aside, what I would like to see is whether Medium would more equitably distribute earnings.

I'm sorry, Quy Ma, this has gotten long. Thank you for opening up this opportunity for us to figure things out on our end.