It's hard to say how common this is. It shouldn't be common. But I've seen it happen enough times that I would say it isn't uncommon either.
The pattern I've noticed is that those students who are ignored usually are the one's that haven't really been actively close with their advisors. This isn't always the student's fault either. At my school, many have full time jobs and are pursuing their degrees part time. Many have family obligations. Etc. But the fact is that they might be spending less time in the lab, or participating less in the professor's seminars or the prof's work. They might be making slow progress. These students, naturally sort of get pushed to the outside of the "inner circle." When it comes to prioritizing who gets attention, it ends up being those who have a strong relation with the professor who get that attention. Sometimes though, it does seem a little more on purpose. I've seen professors snub students that they don't seem to like - almost as a message to the student to find a new advisor.
Not sure if this is part of the question (between the words) but if you don't want to be ignored by your advisor, there are a few things I think I might say.
When you are a PhD student, I think that you have keep a kind of strong relation with your supervisor, not necessarily friendship. You have always to show up and keep in touch to hint that you are in a continuous work, and your commitment is also high.
I see too When you are a supervisor on PhD students, you have to keep a kind of strong relation with your students, to give them comfort in dealing and keeping in touch with you, this your professional and moral responsibility you should commit in.
I also think
1) Make their life easier.
Understand that professors are generally super busy. So try to understand this and make things as easy as possible for your advisor. The less work they have to do over superficial stuff for you, the better your standing will be with them. Don't email them with little things. Don't wait till the last minute to email them with urgent things. Things you think should be their responsibility, if it isn't too much trouble take the responsibility yourself. For example, profs have multiple students doing multiple studies. They're not going to remember what you talked about last week. I always made a list before each meeting summarizing the biggest points discussed, then at the beginning of the next meeting quickly reminded them what we covered last time and that I've addressed each point. I kept talking points down to at most three major new issues I wanted to discuss and always confirmed a plan of things I would do. This kept meetings organized, direct, and short -- and helped with the next point.
2) Show that their investment in you is paying off.
They're essentially investing into you their time and effort. Consistently showing progress in both your work and as an independent thinker will let them know that continuing to invest their time and effort into you has a payoff. I don't advise doc students but I have graduate students in my classes. And so I can definitely say that I get tired of students who keep making the same mistakes over and over and over despite having discussed the issues multiple times. Mistakes are fine during the learning process. But if I don't think the student is really trying to fix the issue, I probably won't be as inclined to putting in as much time into them as say someone who is making that effort. Don't expect professors to solve problems for you. Do the legwork and for any issue you have, go in with 1 or 2 solutions you thought of yourself. Have them give feedback on your thought process. Stuff like this not only solves immediate issues, but helps build the way you think of things so that you produce less of these kinds of problems. If your advisor sees that each time you talk you're growing, that's motivating and interesting to them. Also (see point 1) makes their life easier.
3) Get to know them. Really, build a relationship.
They're human. It's just natural that those with a healthy relation with their advisor are going to be treated positively. No one likes having to spend a lot of time on someone who only pops up when something is needed. People don't like being used. You could argue it's their job to advise. But you really can't expect people to go above and beyond for a stranger. Having good rapport goes a long way. I understand that not all advisor student relations are going to be chummy. But you know, it doesn't take that much to get to know them as a person, care about them as a human being, understand them and their life just a little bit more. This kind of stuff builds trust and good will and the benefits go both ways. If you actually like your advisor as a human being, it can actually be a lot of fun to work with them and something to look forward to. Conversely, if they enjoy the time spent working with you - you won't be ignored!
I see this a lot especially when the Supervisor believe the student is not focus enough
Human relationships play an important role in any business. Both parties are interested in establishing normal relations, but the student is more. Since he has one supervisor, but the supervisor has many graduate students. Often the lack of normal contact plays a negative role. But sometimes, a graduate student can do a better job if he does it to prove something to a supervisor. The leader must understand that all people are different, and that are working with an obedient home child does not always work with others. Young people often try to assert themselves where they just need to take from the leader what he can give.
As Khodasevich wrote: I was over rude to many, and over bow to others...
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