You are confusing ad-supported platforms with subscription supported platforms. It doesn't matter to Medium as you claim how long readers stay on the platform. They get the same $5 per month regardless. It is the ad-supported platforms who need readers to stay on the platform as long as possible so that they are exposed to as many ads as possible. More ads means more money.

I also disagree with your stance about links. Linking to other articles I have written means that I earn more money as readers read more of my articles.