I don’t even bother with the recommendations. I think you’re spot on regarding ulterior motives. They don’t match my tastes neither, which, admittedly, range from Stretch-found pop to classical to Gojira to instrumental downbeat by way of Knucks’ Test Tone to...whim, actually. But still, nothing to indicate any interest in what they’re flaunting.
And yeah, I’m 90% Tidal these days. Also, Mixlr, YouTube, Bandcamp and progstreaming.