Is obtaining multiple followers in Skyrim through console commands permanent?

Solution 1:

Yes, it persists through saves. You can however always return to the original value through console commands as well as dismiss followers.

Solution 2:

It is permanent

A friend has informed me that console commands that 'set' something are permanent, while commands that 'mod' something are not. I haven't been able to find anything either denying or confirming this, but it makes sense, as commands like set playerlevel have to be permanent, otherwise it would be entirely useless.

Unfortunately, I have discovered that the console command does not increase your follower count. Apparently, all it can be used for is to reset it (aka, 0) in order to fix several follower related bugs. Entering set playerfollowercount to 4 or something similar simply keeps your current follower and removes the dialogue option to recruit any others. It appears that a mod is required.

Solution 3:

As others have said, as far as I know "set" commands persist. I think the issue with "playerfollowercount" is that it sets the number you have rather than setting how many you can have. I know that's how "animalfollowercount" works because a modder stated in their mod description that dismissing one of their animal followers would set that number back to 0 and would allow you to recruit another.