Two things are happening.
One, there are random two-factor checks that may or may stop after a few days or weeks.
Second, each time one logs in from a different IP address, say a computer in a different physical location, AOL makes you sign in with two-factor authentication for days, weeks or months.
It is VERY troublesome.
First, one becomes dependent on a cell phone to log into email.
Second, it is a big time waster.

AOL seems to have defaulted some users to two-factor authentication (as of 2026 and perhaps earlier than this year) even if it is not set up on the user's account page. (I checked mine.) If AOL is doing this for Outlook and/or other mailbox users, it should announce this as a policy change. It should also let users have a setting to REALLY opt out of two-factor authentication. Users should be able to set their security preferences. AOL should not presume to do it for them.