Patreon updates don't get the tag removed. Once the game is tagged as abandoned, only a new version gets it removed. So the dev has to at least release something concrete. Also, don't underestimate the influence of this site. Pirate hub as it may be, most games wouldn't have half the exposure they do if it wasn't for it.
So yea, a short game update.
I haven't played the latest update so I can't speak for it fully, but I heard the latest update for Deviant Anomalies was barebones.
I haven't read F95's guideline for game tagging but I'm assuming a few added dialogue scenes, or one lewd scene, or even a "bugfix" optimization update would be enough to remove it.
For HS/Koikatsu devs yea that's true, since other devs have Steam and ItchIO as well