Your anecdote is the exception to the rule. I've been in the industry for 20 years and can affirm the rule: you don't get raises from your current employer. You get raises by changing employers.

Depends who you are. I've always been ranked in the top tier of employees wherever I've worked, and worked my ass off to make myself indispensable. I've gotten multiple 15-20% raises, and even 30% bonuses without having to jump ship. Make sure you work on visible projects (front office, not back office), and that your managers are fearful of losing you because you're crucial.

Yep, if it's technical work that requires a large amount of learning and investment in employees, the company will typically move mountains to keep you if you are good.

I've experienced the same, but it doesn't mean the general rule is untrue. More specifically, if you are making market salary then the greatest raise will come from switching companies. If that's not true and your current employer will give you a substantial increase, then by definition you are not making market salary; the raise simply corrects your salary to the level they would have paid for a person of your experience.

Also had the same exact bump in salary while working for a media company after my managers manager realized my pay grade. However I do agree this is the exception to the rule.

Mind sharing what company this is? I'm 100% sure if I leave to go somewhere else and come back, I'll still make a lot more than sticking around. This is the unfortunate reality.