What does "thanks" mean?

[Hippo]

I see this all the time: Given 3 thank(s) in 3 post(s)

Whats that suppose to mean?
wtf...

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I see this all the time: Given 3 thank(s) in 3 post(s)

Whats that suppose to mean?
wtf...

And whats the point of it?

I have given a thanks... may I please have a thanks from you? You should see a thanks given from me between your post and Glome's post.

Why does that deserve a thanks?

Is this some kind of sub4sub thing?