Like you, I don’t automatically follow back. I want to have time to read people I follow, but I do check out profiles and read a few pieces. And I usually check back if I’ve enjoyed the writing and follow if something exceptional catches my eye.

As to people who haven’t written — I have noticed a few, not quite enough to be sure that I’m seeing an increase, but yes perhaps a few more than usual.

I’ve assumed that they’re people who want to read on Medium as opposed to write — and who might not be writers. I’ve heard it said that Medium is having a specific push to encourage readers onto the platform, which would explain a recent increase, but no way of telling if that’s true or not.

I have 2 followers who are prolific on other platforms but have written nothing on Medium. And I’ve had the opportunity to ask them about it. They both said they just don’t have time. They don’t preclude writing on Medium in the future but for now they’re just passive members enjoying the content. In my head, I’ve decided that’s the case for anyone I find who’s written nothing.

If I know that someone’s a writer in another arena and I like their stuff then I might follow them even if they’ve not written on Medium — I’m sure I have a few in that category. Of course there could be troll accounts, but I don’t know what people would gain from them on here. Sorry, that’s a bit of a rambling brain-dump response.