We all know how overwhelming managing your social media can feel—trying to keep up with trends, algorithms, and everyone’s advice about what you should be doing. But not every piece of advice out there is worth following.

In this post, I’m going to break it all down with a fun twist: the most overrated and underrated social media, and more specifically Instagram, moves racers are making right now in 2024. My goal is to help you focus on what really works, let go of what’s wasting your time, and simplify your approach so you can start seeing real results.

I’ll share about what most people are overlooking, like how to engage strategically after posting, and what they’re wasting time on, like trying to be on every single platform. By the end, you’ll have clear, actionable steps to improve your social media game without feeling like you’re constantly spinning your wheels.

So, grab a notebook or open up your notes app, and let’s jump into what’s overrated and underrated when it comes to social media!

OVERRATED:

1. Trying to be on all platforms

Many racers think they need to be everywhere—Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and more—to succeed. But spreading yourself too thin often results in mediocre content across the board. Instead, focus on mastering one platform, building a strong presence, and becoming known for that page. Once you’ve nailed it, you can branch out to other platforms if needed.

2. Posts with watermarks from other apps

Platforms like Instagram and TikTok penalize content with watermarks because they want to prioritize native, original uploads. Using watermarked content signals laziness to the algorithm and your audience, decreasing reach and professionalism. Always upload clean videos to each platform. You can still edit outside of the platform and you don’t have to use their tools, just make sure there are no watermarks of the app that you edited your reel in.

3. Thinking follower count is most important

Follower count is a vanity metric. A smaller, highly engaged audience will drive more value for sponsors and your brand than a large, disengaged following. Sponsors care about engagement rates, audience demographics, and how your content aligns with their goals—not just your follower count.

4. Reels with 1m+ views will get you lots of followers

Viral reels often bring in passive viewers who don’t stick around. Quality over quantity applies here; a reel that attracts your target audience—even with fewer views—is far more valuable for building a loyal community. Focus on creating content that resonates with your niche instead of chasing viral trends. Take this post I made for example:

This reel has over 1.4 million views, but only resulted in me getting 23 new followers. It has tons of comments, and I still receive notifications everyday from new comments, but it’s more of people just arguing back and forth. I do not get involved and I’m just waiting for this one to die down. It was meant to be an engaging post, not one that gave me more followers, and that’s exactly what it did.

5. Posting every day (content will grow 2-3 days after posting)

Consistency matters more than frequency. Many creators burn out trying to post daily, not realizing that platforms like Instagram often let content grow organically for days after posting. Give your posts time to breathe and reach more people before rushing to upload the next one. Prioritize quality over quantity.

UNDERRATED

1. Not using the professional dashboard for best practices and inspiration

The Instagram professional dashboard is a treasure trove of insights and tools tailored for content creators. Many overlook it, but it’s where you can track your analytics, discover trends, and even get tips directly from the platform. Using it can help you identify what’s working for your audience and spot opportunities to improve. For example, it shows you which content types (stories, reels, posts) are driving the most engagement.

2. Not being in an engagement pod

Engagement pods are essentially a group chat where you share a link to your latest post, and the members must engage with it to boost your ranking with the algorithm. This strategy was created a few years ago and went viral, but then quickly fizzled out from the “Instagram Gurus” because it wasn’t seen as authentic. While some creators still avoid engagement pods because they seem artificial, being in the right pod with authentic, like-minded creators can boost visibility and help your content gain traction. Pods are especially helpful for amplifying niche content where organic discovery might be slower.

3. Not focusing on content that can be shared

Shares are the new gold standard for Instagram engagement. Think about content that resonates so deeply that people want to send it to a friend or repost it to their stories like relatable memes, funny oh-shit moments, and hilarious moments in real life. Also, posts that have a positive impact like heartfelt messages, and posts that make people feel seen or inspired are perfect for driving shares. Remember, shares often lead to new followers because they bring your content to fresh eyes.

4. Not engaging 10 minutes after posting

Engagement right after posting signals the algorithm that your content is worth showing to more people. This is your golden window to reply to comments, like responses, and even engage with other creators’ content. It’s like having a mini-launch party for every post—it builds momentum that increases reach.

5. Not responding to comments even days or weeks after posting

Comments aren’t just about that initial burst of activity. Replying to new comments days or weeks later reactivates the post, showing it to more people through the algorithm. It also strengthens relationships with your audience, showing them that their response matters to you, no matter when it happens. If you need some ideas of how to engage on social media, download my free guide below!