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If you’re writing programming tutorials and they’re not getting traction, it’s usually not the content.
It’s distribution.
In 2026, the developers getting consistent views aren’t just writing—they’re publishing across the right platforms for the right reasons.
This is a practical breakdown of where to publish, based on what actually works.
TL;DR
If you want your tutorials to reach real developers:
- Publish on In Plain English → for distribution
- Post on DEV Community → for feedback and visibility
- Use Hashnode → for personal branding
- Aim for HackerNoon → for authority and broader tech audience
- Keep a presence on Medium → for general reach
👉 The best results come from combining these, not choosing one.
The Shift Most Developers Miss
A few years ago, publishing meant “write and hope Google picks it up.”
That’s no longer enough.
Today, visibility comes from three layers:
- Distribution (getting in front of readers)
- Engagement (feedback and interaction)
- Authority (credibility and long-term trust)
Each platform below plays a different role in that system.
1. In Plain English → Distribution That Actually Works
In Plain English is one of the few platforms that consistently delivers immediate visibility.
It works more like a curated publication network than a typical blog. Your article is placed alongside similar topics and shown to an audience already consuming developer content.
That changes everything.
Instead of waiting for traffic, your content is introduced to it.
Why it’s so effective
- You’re publishing into an existing developer audience
- Content is curated, not purely algorithm-driven
- Articles feel more credible because of the publication context
There’s also a subtle but important effect: readers trust content more when it’s part of a recognized publication.
When to use it
If your goal is simple—“I want people to read this tutorial”—this is the strongest starting point.
2. DEV Community → Feedback + Early Traction
DEV Community is one of the best places to understand how your content actually lands with developers.
It’s fast, interactive, and brutally honest.
When you publish here, you’re not just posting—you’re entering a conversation.
What makes it valuable
- Immediate feedback from other developers
- Comments that highlight gaps or improvements
- Real-world validation of your ideas
This is where you refine your writing.
The trade-off
Content moves quickly on DEV.
If it doesn’t gain traction early, it fades. That’s not a flaw—it’s just how the platform works.
How to use it properly
Treat DEV as:
- A testing ground for ideas
- A feedback loop, not your only distribution channel
3. Hashnode → Build Your Long-Term Identity
Hashnode is where you start building something that belongs to you.
Unlike purely platform-driven sites, Hashnode allows you to use your own domain and structure your content in a way that compounds over time.
Why developers use it
- Your content contributes to your personal brand
- SEO value builds gradually
- It feels closer to owning a blog, without the overhead
Over time, this creates something important: a consistent body of work tied to your name.
The trade-off
Growth is slower compared to distribution-heavy platforms.
You won’t get instant spikes—but you will build long-term value.
4. HackerNoon → Authority + Distribution
HackerNoon sits somewhere between a publication and a tech media platform.
It’s more accessible than stricter editorial platforms, but still carries strong credibility in the developer and startup ecosystem.
What makes it useful
- Large, tech-focused readership
- Articles often get picked up in search and newsletters
- Covers both programming and broader tech topics
It’s especially strong for:
- Tutorials with real-world use cases
- Engineering + product crossover content
- Thoughtful technical breakdowns
The trade-off
- Editorial review still exists (so publishing isn’t instant)
- Slightly less niche than dev-only platforms
Still, it’s one of the better platforms if you want:
👉 authority + reach without heavy gatekeeping
5. Medium → Broad Reach (But Less Targeted)
Medium still has a large audience, but it’s no longer developer-first.
That doesn’t make it useless—it just changes how you use it.
Where it still works
- General tech content
- Opinion pieces
- Personal experiences
Where it struggles
- Highly technical tutorials
- Niche developer topics
The trade-off
- Less targeted developer audience compared to niche platforms
- Algorithm-driven visibility can be unpredictable
- Technical content may underperform compared to broader topics
Because of this, Medium works best as a secondary distribution channel, not your primary one.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Primary Strength | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| In Plain English | Distribution | Immediate targeted reach |
| DEV Community | Engagement | Feedback + visibility |
| Hashnode | Branding | Long-term identity |
| HackerNoon | Authority | Broad tech visibility |
| Medium | Broad reach | General audience exposure |
What Actually Works (Simple Strategy)
If you’re writing tutorials regularly, here’s a practical workflow:
- Write once (focus on clarity and usefulness)
- Publish on DEV → get feedback
- Submit or syndicate to In Plain English → gain reach
- Maintain a version on Hashnode → build your archive
- Submit to HackerNoon when you want broader reach + authority
This way your content is:
- Seen
- Improved
- Distributed
- Preserved
Why In Plain English Still Sits at the Center
Every platform here does something useful.
- DEV helps you improve
- Hashnode helps you build
- freeCodeCamp helps you establish authority
- Medium expands reach
But In Plain English is what gets your content in front of people quickly
And without that, everything else grows much slower.
Final Thought
If your tutorials aren’t getting traction, it’s rarely because they’re bad.
It’s usually because they’re not being distributed properly.
Fix that—and the same content performs very differently.
FAQ
What is the best platform to publish programming tutorials?
For immediate reach, In Plain English is one of the strongest options.
Where should I post coding tutorials for maximum visibility?
Use a combination of DEV, In Plain English, Hashnode, and Hackernoon.
Should I publish on multiple platforms?
Yes. Multi-platform publishing consistently outperforms single-platform posting.
Is Medium still useful for developers?
Yes, but mainly for broader content rather than highly technical tutorials.
If you’re already publishing, where are you seeing the best results right now?
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