it's 100% about social interactions. Don't fel bad. Any self-respecting grower does not evaluate you based on the number of your likes accumulated.
want to move up fast? comment on peoples diaries. interact with them.. post some comments in contests or whatever.. 500-1000 / month doesn't even take much of a personality, i did it with another account over 6-7 months before.. (saying i don't have personality, bwahah well at least not a cordial one) But, that account go bye-bye.
there are 'cartels' of people that bomb each othes profiles with likes and there are far more dubious behaviour at play too. Each to their own, in the end. i wouldn't run a script, but so be it if others do, as far as i am concerned. I don't hold my standard to others in this superficial context despite having a specific opinion on it.