Can't Medium generate revenue through ads? They have the network effects so they should be able to place ads on the website to keep it running like the other social platforms do. They could even split the ad revenue with writers.

Just ideas.

The current economics of ads on the internet are such at "just add ads" is no longer viable alone like it was a decade ago.

That's why nearly every content creator that normally relies on ads has additional revenue sources. (Patreon/Sponsorships)

If they would add ads, writers would ask for a revenue, too. If they'd do that, they would ask for a fair share, considering their amount of contribution. Means: how many articles they write. And with that you are back to the status quo. Dropping "get rich fast posts" and soul-less "top x lists".