Maybe that's a post facto rationalized reason, as I'm sure it did draw in more tributes, but that's like saying folk tales across the world's sole purpose is to have sacrifices when in reality people just like making up and telling stories. It's like saying the apostles of Christ only spread his message to raise money for the Catholic Church, no doubt that was a side effect but it wasn't the "point" by any means, especially early on where there was no church.
Because astroturfing on reddit exists doesn't mean that this is plausibly astroturfing. Any post on reddit about any business could be plausibly astroturfing by that logic.
Sure, you can think that. Why do you think I'd deny my own chain of logic, just because it doesn't suit my current purpose? That's philosophical inconsistency which is not good for sound argumentation.
I see, looks like you aren't interested in actually debating, being sarcastic and calling positions ridiculous when you cannot justify your own. Have a good day.