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I googled your thing.
Anyway back to the question.
So you "google" something and pick whatever you like and think they are "popular"? OIC!
Meanwhile, many household magazine listed RS3 as one of the best MMO in 2023. Just a couple of typical examples:
Sport Ilustrated
"Another classic representative of the MMORPG genre, Runescape was released in 2001 and is somehow still growing thanks to the constant addition of content. Expanding on lore and quests that are two decades old is not easy, but at this point the devs have had a lot of experience. All that might make newcomers hesitate to dive in, but worry not: Runescape’s users are quite a friendly bunch and always eager to help out, which is no doubt part of the reason why this title is still thriving."
https://videogames.si.com/guides/best-mmos
PC Magazine
"Runescape is an MMORPG that's been around for ages; more than 20 years in fact, and still going strong. Despite its age, Runescape remains popular, receiving frequent updates to keep long-standing fans happy and engaged.
The game found its footing well before the MMO character-archetype trinity (tank, DPS, and healer) became popular, so it uses a rock-paper-scissors system where melee beats range, range beats magic, and magic beats melee. Gameplay is largely a point-and-click affair, but it incorporates a blend of combat scenarios, social interactions, quests, and mini-games. Runescape is easy to get into, and its casual feel and old-school style may engross you enough that you may never want to leave."
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-pc-mmo-games