I’ve worked on the web as a writer on many different content sites since 1999. I have been on the web since 1994. I would deduce some guru informed newbie writers that if they thanked their readers that their readers would most likely follow them.

What it does is switch from the content of the story to a completely different direction, so instead of the last thing on your mind as you come to the end of the story, it is switched to the author going on a completely different tangent.

Sort of rather like walking out of a great movie, and as you hit the street, there is a horrific accident. All the joy of the story is completely gone — wiped out by something that went in a completely different direction.

It’s all right. I just mute people who say thank you to the writer. My enjoyment of the story is completely ruined. So no worries. Enjoy your writing.