I actually asked in the group the other day. The view count was not included in the blockchain, it is by the front end with a database called MySQL. So to setup steemit website, you need to install MySQL, I guess is a good approach to remove MySQL from the front end.

Clearly it is only controlled by the individual front end site. But I think it would be better to have it if not enhancing it.
Steemit still at beta, so any can change haha.