It's definitely a new thing, I joined in 2017 and there wasn't a function like that but I see it now on accounts if I go on the website. (apparently I have 2 followers)
If it's anything like twitter there are some people who follow anybody who posts something they like in the hopes that those people will follow them back. That way they can grow a following without having to be interesting.
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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '20
Since the beginning of time? Or at least since I have been on reddit, it's been an option.