"Popular" people are common posters IMO. Doesn't mean they're liked or loved. They could also be hated. But if they post a lot, ten they're "popular"
I wouldn't say anyone is popular. That would imply everyone likes them. There are people that are well known though. At this point I recognise just about everyone so long as they post on the forums occasionally.
Why would you say pickles is popular? She's known but not "popular" some of pickles things are great threads with great debates, however, she can't take insults and criticism well and shows immaturity. But I give her props for making good debate threads.
Just because someone is known in forums for posting bs every 2 mins or making threads does not make them popular in pimd as a whole only forums js
Post on forums all the time and you'll get your name out. That's how 99% of these wanna be's are doing it