I do agree with your calculation of a good indicator for a meme's popularity. I think very much as you do and if one can achieve 10% upvotes, that is a great predictor of acceptance from like-minded individuals.
I have experienced the same outcome many times and it does lead one to wonder. 🤔 Of course, my favorite form of censorship is when the mods inform you that your meme with hundreds of views has been "unpublished" due to xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, inciting violence, racism, or a multitude of other excuses (when they should just say "because it was doing a little too well). Yours was a very good, topical, & funny meme and should have garnered many more views and upvotes.