I don't think claps register if you highlight and comment unless you go back down and add some. However, since claps don't count for much, why not eliminate them? I really like to see them as an indicator of how my article was received by readers.

Maybe Medium is coming up with a better system? Maybe a thumbs up? In which we get paid for each "thumbs up"?

Maybe something better is in the works. We can always think positive.