The fact that it's that easy to game the system to gain influence does not bode well for its future potential as a social media earning site (nor its monetary valuation.) It reminds me of the hundreds of sites that existed before Steemit/crypto that were based on pyramid structure referrals to earn, though it is different I suppose.

Unless something changes my mind, I have a pretty unfavorable view on referral programs because it tends to attract the wrong types of people to the community, or interests them for the wrong intentions. Doesn't seem that sustainable in the long term.