If you are willing to be my friend I will tell you why.
Why so many "Friend Requests"
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Aug 24, 2021
0
#3
I suspect a lot of chess players are not used to having many friends, and so, having a large number validates their sense of worth in that regard.
There are also people who "collect" friends of a particular category—titled players and pretty women being top of those lists.
Personally I tend to focus my attentions on people I interact with in groups (in Notes, in Vote Chess, etc), but I generally accept friend requests from anyone who doesn't seem like a terrible person.
(In case this may prompt a wave of friend requests—be aware that while I'm quite approachable I don't really do smalltalk, so you'll need to come at me with something better than "Hi", "How are you", etc if you expect conversation).
Aug 24, 2021
0
#4
Hoehne-Badger wrote:
Each time a daily puzzle is posted, or there is a popular news article posted on the first page of Chess.com, and the discussion thread is active, there are a surprising number of posts from members pleading for friend requests.
Why is this?
Is there some benefit (other than general sociability) to having a large number of friends? Does this "bump" one's status up in some way?
I'm simply curious.
There's an achievement relate to having friends. That's probably the biggest driver.
Aug 24, 2021
0
#6
Hoehne-Badger wrote:
Each time a daily puzzle is posted, or there is a popular news article posted on the first page of Chess.com, and the discussion thread is active, there are a surprising number of posts from members pleading for friend requests.
Why is this?
Is there some benefit (other than general sociability) to having a large number of friends? Does this "bump" one's status up in some way?
I'm simply curious.
"Guys please like the video I need internet numbers for validation" - technoblade (youtube)
Aug 24, 2021
0
#7
Martin_Stahl wrote:
There's an achievement relate to having friends. That's probably the biggest driver.
That makes sense. Thanks.
In general, I confine my "friends" on chess.com to my friends IRL, and to folks who I meet while playing and have had good, competitive, but friendly, matches.
Well friends on chess.com are just random people... I like to think of them as followers of the Champ so I accept 
... I only used to know 1 in real life but they inactive (quitter lel)...
Well followers = people looking at your forums, blogs... and possibly joining your club ya know... my camp skyrocketed to almost 70 members now...
Of course there will be people you interact with more like you may talk about Cosmology or other similar interest... whatever lel but for me they are kinda like followers; forums & clubs lel!
Well maybe a mod cuz for kicks ya know... but some moderator denied mine 
Each time a daily puzzle is posted, or there is a popular news article posted on the first page of Chess.com, and the discussion thread is active, there are a surprising number of posts from members pleading for friend requests.
Why is this?
Is there some benefit (other than general sociability) to having a large number of friends? Does this "bump" one's status up in some way?
I'm simply curious.