Why aren't auto-followers counted as normal ones?

I have seen it many times by now on newer accounts that either followed me or someone I follow too, but when I check on the page of the followed one, the fresh account was not shown to be a follower of that person. I know this might be just a me thing, but it is a little strange to me to not treat that kind of following equally as a self-made choice.

May someone tell me why it is that way, and if I'm missing some components in my experience that explain why it is as it is?