Congratulations! I really like your analysis especially the one about advice pieces. I write mostly advice pieces and they have less average read times. What you said makes sense.
I also strongly agree with not doing follow for follow. I feel there is no point. I want to enjoy what I read and that's exactly why I only follow writers whose work I enjoy.
I see many doing the fff thing and flexing their numbers. What use are empty followers, what we writers need are readers and true fans and not empty numbers.
You are a brilliant writer! I have been following you from quite some time and have enjoyed your articles!
I wish you luck and more success in the coming months!