I agree wholeheartedly. I never post links to my work in comments. I have, at times, mentioned that I had written a piece on the same topic. Should the person wish to read it, they can find it. Sometimes, after saying that, the writer of the original story comments back asking me to post the link. At that point, I will.

Unfortunately not everyone shares the same moral compass or understanding of how Medium works. As much as this is a writing/reading site, it is a social site. And the social side of it can't be discounted. Some people are on here just wanting their work to be read and to make money. Well, we all want to make money, but...

People who do what you've mentioned, in my experience, don't last long here and don't do super great while they're here. I don't know who this writer is or what her work is like. Sadly, I won't ever know because once I know someone is a link-bomber, I'm out, I won't even click on their profile.

On Medium, as in life, you get out what you put in. In the year and a half I've been here, I've done pretty well. I'm certainly not breaking the bank, but I've been able to grow a pretty good group of followers and online friends that consistently read and engage with my work, and that started with reading and engaging with theirs.