I dont think they care much at all.
Yeah, itll add inquiries and if you need to keep yours down I wouldnt do it. Other than that no bad side effect that I know of.
I have 7 inquiries from barclay for 5 diff cards over the course of a month and a half. Then they approved me for the barclay rewards, either they like the fact I apply too much or they dont care 
(id go with the latter)
@killer_queen229 wrote:
I've applied quite a few times for cards at TD Bank over the years (7 year customer) and finally got approved tonight. I also applied to Old Navy, Kohls and TJX Rewards a few times too. I think as far as what we think they think goes, I think we just think that way out of being frustrated. I thought they really didn't like me and then I got approved. Lack of apps and gardening for a while helps. I gardened for 7 1/2 months till tonight.
Congrats.... I remember from last year that you always wanted that TD Bank card and very happy that it finally worked for you 
OP
As already mentioned each app hits your report with an inquiry and if someone is already borderline for approval this could be the route to denial while someone with no inquiries could have just been approved. If there is a card you really want I would recommend to garden for a while and then try again. For me it has worked that way with no apps closer than 6 months apart and I try to limit my inquiries within the last 12 months and if possible distribute evenly with the CRA. So far no denial yet but I know that day will come sooner or later as I have been on the edge for a few cards. Freedom was shortly before a denial for too many inquiries and too many new accounts. This was my only spree and if you look at my terms of the card with 22,99% APR this is the reason. Lesson learnt for me with my spree in early 2013 on a thin file. IMO it makes sense to be a bit patient and then app to get better terms and not just approvals.
I think they......
answered your clickbait thread with a clickbait answer