It's a system that rewards sticking around for a long time and not just showing up in short burst. People that have been around longer tend to follow those who stick around a long time. After going through a few "game forum phases" you see all the accounts that stick around for a game, post a lot in the forums, but then wonder what happened to them a couple years later. Only a small minority continually stick around for years. You gain more when becoming followed by members who have been around a long time, rather those that show up and will be inactive a year later. Again, all in speculation, I just feel that there is more to this "follow" system than meets the eye.

Your whole idea that face time on the forums gets you followers is wrong, or else I'd have a shit ton on both.

I respectfully disagree. Your account is not even a year old. IMO, it's not nearly enough time to create an online "persona" that allows other members to recognize you instantly. I'm talking about members that have literally been here 7,8,9,10+ years. After being present and active for a while, people recognize your posting style, avatar, play games online together through carnages getting to know each other through private groups, participate in the webcam and Bungie Day events. Posting great content is always the biggest factor, but everything helps along the way. I'm honestly curious to see what happens when the next title system comes out, how following other members plays out. If I still had my Mythic Member Blue bar on all my posts, would people feel more inclined to follow? What about other legendary/mythic members? What about members who don't have a title? [url=http://halo.bungie.net/forums/posts.aspx?postID=69822360]sawnose said that previous Bungie Pro users of the Halo era would get a special reward for the new Bungie Pro[/url], we don't know what that will be, what if that's a visual icon on the forums? Will people follow based on those? My point is, sticking around and being active gets you visual perks and helps form relationships with other members. Those two factors alone play a large factor in the system, but everyone is still inclined to post great content.