The longevity of Spuffy vs Bangel ships

I was reading a thread earlier that got me thinking about the “longevity” of these two ships. Maybe this is just my perception, but when the show was actually airing it felt to me that Bangel was the most popular ship within the fandom. Although Spike himself was a very popular character, Spuffy kind of seemed like an “underdog” ship. However (and again this might just be my perception) these days it feels like Spuffy is a much more popular ship with the current/remaining fandom.

Full disclosure, I prefer Spuffy and always did, even when the show was live airing. But I do find it interesting that there seems to have been, at some point, a shift in popularity within the fandom.

Do others notice this / agree that there may have been a shift in popularity - or is it just me? Assuming you agree, why do you think this happened??

I have a few theories but still feel like I’m missing it.

• JM is such a strong actor, and his performance is so convincing. Maybe this resonates more with older viewers upon rewatches? Especially as DB’s acting was pretty weak on Btvs.

• Bangel / a “first love” story may have been more compelling to a younger audience as the show live-aired. As the fandom aged and experienced life themselves, “complicated” or messier relationships might be more relatable or exciting to adults versus love at first sight?

• For whatever reason (?), maybe Bagel fans fell out of the fandom over the years at a higher rate than Spuffy fans, leaving more Spuffy fans behind to dominate the fandom?

Not looking to argue about why Spuffy or why Bangel. But I’m more curious about trends / shifting ways of thinking within the fandom and what might have driven that.