It can be useful for metric (how attract and keep users) and for find people with same interests. Now we not scan all blockchain, just connection @dantheman and other users, who related with him. But if we scan all blockchain, we can find all people with same interests, for example - art lovers, politics, engineers, and etc.. I think, direct connection for similar people it is will good value for Steemit.
Yes.. And system will soon be able to detect bots ;-) What else?.. Need time and resources for develop. Now work going with team psychologists and various other scientists.