Here’s what I think happens….
I see this happen always on my phone or iPad….
When you see it flashing, Cristina, it’s getting clicked on but not registering the claps. If you move your scroll slightly above or below and start again, the numbers then flash to tell you it’s now registering the number of claps.
It’s a glitch on the Medium app.
I’ve never seen it happen when I’m working in the browser.

I think it happens a lot to me when I’m on my phone or iPad bc the clap symbol is near the bottom edge of screen and we are not quite “on the mark.”

I may be wrong!
Just my .02
Happy writing Cristina—keep up the great work!