My thoughts behind this is the fact that the metalminds in Era 2 were able to give the Southern Scadrians the ability to understand the local language.
This would mean that the connection they give is more than just friendships. It must allow a connection of the Spirit Web itself, or at least a one way connection to it.
We have seen others use Connection to link abilities
, and even if its just information there. One could speculate that is due to the shallow connection. A deeper one, a strong enough one could create such a thing.