Have you ever received a random "hi bro, can we follow each other?" message on social media, promising that it’ll boost your "smart accounts"? That’s exactly what kicked off a hilarious thread on X, started by mert | helius.dev on June 28, 2025. The post featured a screenshot of this quirky DM, complete with the claim that mutual following would "increase the number of smart accounts." Let’s dive into what this means, especially in the wild world of meme coins and blockchain communities.

The Follow-for-Follow Phenomenon

The follow-for-follow strategy isn’t new. It’s a tactic where users agree to follow each other to grow their social media presence. In the crypto space, especially with meme coins like Dogecoin or Shiba Inu, this approach often aims to boost visibility and credibility. The idea here is that more followers might signal a "smart account"—one that’s active, engaged, or knowledgeable about blockchain trends. But does it really work?

Mert’s thread took an amusing turn when Roxxe replied with an image of the Hulk sitting on a cement mixer, hinting that this strategy might not hold much weight. The humor escalated with responses like NullTrace suggesting Mert "get hulked," and others questioning the logic behind it. It’s clear the community found the idea as shaky as that oversized green giant!

Why It Might Not Increase "Smart Accounts"

So, what’s the catch? Simply following each other doesn’t guarantee quality engagement. In meme coin circles, smart accounts are often those that share valuable insights, participate in token burns, or contribute to community decisions—like voting on project directions via platforms like Discord. A follow-for-follow swap might inflate numbers, but it won’t automatically make your account "smart" or attract genuine blockchain enthusiasts.

Take it from the thread: 8bitpenis.sol pointed out that growing a smart following requires "giving value both in your posts and comments." This aligns with how meme coins thrive—through shared humor, rewards, and collaborative efforts, not just mutual follows. The original DM’s logic seems more like a hopeful guess than a proven strategy.

The Meme Coin Community’s Take

The responses to Mert’s post show the meme coin community’s playful yet critical nature. From jimmy heaters sharing a cartoon of a trash can wielding a gun to saylormoon21B mimicking the DM with a twist about hair follicles, the thread turned into a meme-fest. It’s a reminder that these communities value creativity and authenticity over quick fixes.

Even offers to "promote your project" (vvvalkyrie9) popped up, showing how follow-for-follow can sometimes lead to marketing pitches. But the consensus? As 0xAbhiP and others echoed, "it definitely will not" increase smart accounts without real effort.

Lessons for Blockchain Practitioners

If you’re a blockchain practitioner or meme coin enthusiast, this thread offers a fun lesson. Building a reputable presence takes more than swapping follows. Focus on creating content that educates or entertains—think guides on smart contracts or memes about token burns. Engage with your audience on platforms like Telegram, where collaborative decision-making happens, and let your "smart account" status grow organically.

Mert’s thread, posted at 4:12 PM UTC on June 28, 2025, is still buzzing as of today, June 29, 2025, at 2:34 PM JST. It’s a perfect snapshot of how meme coin communities blend humor with hard truths. So, next time someone slides into your DMs with a follow-for-follow pitch, you might just laugh it off—or hit them with a Hulk meme of your own!