Nowhere near 10000 identifications but between 100 and 1000 I learned about the harder to ID taxa through error and helpful feedback from other users.
With respect to gratitude and positive feedback from people you help with identification, I think these might explain it a bit:
- The social networking aspects of iNat seem secondary with observations being the focal point for interaction. People make observations and others help with identification. Comments are mostly used for discussing the observations and rarely in a social way.
- New users are very thankful with comments, but as more of their observations get identified, it becomes apparent that this is just how iNat works and that “thank you” isn’t the norm for most observations.
- Looking at some of your identifications, the geographic range covered is very broad. It’s possible the observers aren’t commenting because of assumed language differences?
If you’re also a local identifier for taxa where you live and regularly make identifications for a handful of frequent observers, you may already have a reputation that you’re unaware of. It’s something that can happen if you attend a local naturalist event and happen to interact with other iNatters. It’s not uncommon to hear someone say (often excitedly), “Oh, you’re so and so on iNat!” or say that to someone else.