Yeah, it doesn't help to complain, compare your works to others, or put anyone down, because there are SO many things that contribute to what you might consider a level of success. Every site you work with is different, every fan base is different, and every creator is different. A million factors go into becoming a popular ANYTHING.
Sometime dedication and grind get you where you want to be, and sometimes you just get lucky. It might be the readers who notice your talent and help you grow, or the site/a company. There is no hard fast rule. Even 2 stories that are very similar might experience varying rates of success.
Just like 2 books written by the same author/artists might vary.
I'm a premium author and not everything I write gets accepted by Tapas, or even if it does it isn't guaranteed to be successful or gain popularity. But I tend to focus on what I love and on doing my best with each project. If it doesn't gain traction, you just try again. Or you don't give up on the project and you try it somewhere else.
That's why I always say you should write what you like and not worry too much about where it will get you. And I know that sounds generic, because everyone says that. But for the sake of your own happiness, it's the best way to create. Otherwise you will get stuck putting yourself or others down, and you'll feel stressed about when or how you can be successful. When in reality, popularity is never promised to anyone.