Gab: The On-boarding Process

Understanding the part on-boarding plays during account creation.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing or saying the process is either right, or wrong.
This is simply me sharing information as I understand it.

When a new account is created at Gab Social, that new account automatically follows some
pre-chosen other accounts already registered to the platform. Remember 'MySpace' and how
everyone auto-friended Tom (was that his name?)
I can't remember, as I never created an account there, but... n/m

Anywho, same deal w/Gab. Newly created accts. auto-follow Andrew Torba and others.
I've seen as many as 16 people on the list. 

Isn't that 'boosting' an account by making new accounts follow them by default? 
Maybe temp., but not really.
They always have the ability to un-follow in the end. Initially though, the new accts. timeline will have posts from those accounts.

For instance, when @NeonRevolt's book went best seller and he was banned from twitter, all of his (or at least most of) his fans followed him to Gab. Therefore, he was added to the list of auto-follows so those seeking him out could easily find him. It happened with Catturd as well and many others.

You can confirm this info. via the Introduce Yourself Group, go there and open up some new users 'following' list. You may notice a 'pattern'...

Conclusion: Maybe don't put so much weight on journo/political 'influencers' followers count?

Just some thoughts...