Read This.

^^ Not surprising at all; it started with payola way back in the day and just kept getting more involved as times and media forms changed. Some people stay bragging about their faves' stats without realizing all the things that record companies do to insure a return on their investment. I also think that some people don't realize how many of their "faves" are only favorites because they've been inundated with their music, videos, and 'accomplishments'. Tbh, I think that's where most of Gaga's success came from with her last album - people love a "winner" and they wanted to ride the wave of her popularity. Now the wave has crashed, most people are bored with her antics, and ARTFLOP is being shown for what it is.