Because they function as heuristics.

Exchanges and retail participants often use surface-level community metrics as an initial filter. While imperfect, follower counts on X, Telegram, and Discord are frequently reviewed during listing assessments and early diligence. Insufficient visible traction can slow or block progression — regardless of underlying fundamentals.

For retail traders, community size acts as a shorthand for perceived legitimacy. Small or inactive channels are often interpreted as weak demand or limited relevance.

That said, inflated metrics without real engagement rarely translate into sustained liquidity. Vanity metrics may open doors - but they do not substitute for structural demand. Scaling visibility should be deliberate, not purely cosmetic.