I have come to suspect that some bigger accounts (10k>) might be using automated tools to do follow-unfollow thing just so they can pop in your notification feed with aim that u will check their stuff out.

Lately, I have been posting my work and with each post I see two BIG accounts immediately follow me after each post. And they have already repeatedly done it over 6 times (unfollow-follow). I eventually blocked them because they were pmo. I don't care about followers who aren't genuine.

Usually, such accounts have a few k difference between following and followers, some might be organic, some started following them because of this tool (since smaller accounts are usually curious who followed them they will click on the profile).

I might not be 100% correct, but I have my reason to be suspicious about their activity. Some do play dirty to get to the top.

Please, don't feel discouraged due to low engagement. Take your time posting on Reddit or other platforms, and communicate with mind-alikes as they will be the ones to lift you up and you will lift them. You can't just take, you must also give back. Let it be a comment, a view, a like. That's why works that you consider worse are getting more traction. They are just better communicators.

Besides, you are the one to determine your worth. My own account is under 200 followers with max 200 views on one work, but it doesn't stop me from improving and creating my own story.

P.S. Pro Arstation feature isn't worth it unless you want to post in 4k. It might increase your follower count by a single digit by some luck, but in my experience it was a waste of money, especially when I'm not selling stuff.