> Strategic approval voting is simply setting a higher/lower threshold on your approval.

The strategy of this is no simpler than the strategy of a single vote system.

> Yes, but it specifically ends the "vote for a candidate you dislike instead of the one you do like" type.

> Your favorite is always included in your vote (assuming you like at least one candidate).

Ranking candidates would express preferences more than approval voting. But you advocated approval voting solely.