I have Elite Gold status, and recently booked a flight for January 17th, going from AMS to GRU.

In all respects, a long haul flight. 11 1/2 hours.

On the KLM site, they tell you the following (regarding
Elite Gold status):

"You can reserve one of a number of select seats at the time of booking on long-distance flights. Based on availability, we will make every effort to accommodate your seating preference".

The answer I got was: "Not available", to all my seating preferences.

I had 18 preferences (in economy). 10 of them 1st choice, 8 second choice. Nothing available.

Does this mean that 18 other gold or platinum members has booked and chosen these seats (the best seats in economy), or are they sold to simply anyone regardless of their status?

I also got this strange answer:

"Anyone can try to get their preferred seat at booking".

Why is that?

Doesnt my Elite status count at all here? Why can anyone specify their preferred seat at booking, and get it, given what KLM says at their web site regarding Elite Gold status?