>When you remove monetary and for-profit incentives, it doesn't really matter how many views or ad impressions you get
I'm not sure that's 100% true. Many people (I felt it myself) don't get money from there but still feel the dopamina boost from likes and it can be quite addictive. In addition, when then you have less "recognition" it can affect negatively to you, emotionally.
Of course, when there is monetary incentive then you find this **for design** and its potentiated.