I don't actually think people care if they are the product or not its about engagement and ease of use.
If someone new comes here with no understand of crypto or programming and you say to them...

We have 3 currencies here steem , steem power and SBD and you are allowed so much mana and resource credits and you can comment twice a day and we pay you pennies that you can't have for 7 days and you get them in a currency you don't understand.
will they stay? probably not
I guess only time will tell but as the saying goes you live or die by the decision you make.