It’s true, the Grass Roots Media team spends a lot of time on social media. We plan it, write it, film it, design it, schedule it, advertise on it, analyse it and occasionally stare at it wondering why it has decided not to cooperate today.
We love what social media can do. It connects people, builds communities and gives businesses a way to share who they are with the people who matter.
But six years after we first shared the 10 things we hated about social media, we have a few new frustrations to get off our chests.
So, in the interests of healthy workplace venting, here are 10 things we don’t like about social media in 2026.
1. The algorithm guessing game
Post more Reels. Carousels are back. Keep videos short. Wait, make them longer. We’ve got whiplash. Chasing every update is exhausting.
Make content your audience cares about, then use your own results to see what works.
2. AI content that sounds exactly like AI content
AI is useful for ideas and first drafts. But the feed is filling up with posts from what sounds like the same robot wearing a slightly different hat.
Use the tool. Keep your voice. And perhaps ease up on the rocket emojis. 🚀
And please STOP making posters!
3. Posting for the sake of posting
A page goes quiet, so up goes a stock image and a quick “Happy Friday.”
Consistency matters, but give each post a job. Answer a question, share what you know, introduce someone or start a conversation. Keeping the algorithm happy is not a strategy.
4. The pressure to be everywhere
Facebook. Instagram. LinkedIn. TikTok. Threads. YouTube. A podcast. Perhaps a carrier pigeon.
Pick the platforms where your audience spends time and where you can show up well. Two strong channels beat six neglected profiles.
5. The wrong image ratio on the wrong platform
A square graphic on Instagram with all that lovely screen space going to waste. A wide image on Facebook that looks like a tiny strip as you scroll past.
It looks a bit yuck, and it gives your content less room to do its job. Check the image ratio for each platform and use the space you’ve got. You’ve already made the graphic. Let people actually see it.
6. Treating big numbers like business results
A Reel reached 50,000 people. Lovely. Were they the right people? Did any of them take the next step?
Reach and views are useful, but a post seen by 500 potential customers may do more for your business than one seen by 50,000 strangers.
We love a big number when it means something.
7. Engagement bait and manufactured outrage
“Only 1% of people can answer this.”
“Comment YES if you agree.”
“This opinion will make people angry.”
Will it, though? You can start a good conversation without setting the comments section on fire.
8. Ghost followers and bot accounts
A bigger follower count looks less impressive when half the audience appears to be bots called Jay847392.
Fake followers muddy your analytics. Every so often, check for obvious bots with random usernames, empty profiles and unrelated comments. Instagram may also flag suspicious accounts as “Potential spam.”
Use common sense. A quiet follower is not automatically a fake one.
9. Expecting great content to fix everything
A great post can get someone interested. An unclear offer, frustrating website or unanswered enquiry can lose them just as quickly.
Social media works best when the rest of the customer experience holds up too.
10. Forgetting the social part
Some businesses post and disappear. Comments go unanswered and messages sit in the inbox.
You wouldn’t walk into a room, announce your latest offer and leave without speaking to anyone. Please don’t do the digital version.
So, do we still love social media?
Yes! Most days.
For all its glitches, strange trends, changing algorithms and endless notifications, social media remains an incredibly valuable way for businesses to connect with people.
Good social media is not about blindly following trends, chasing every platform or posting more for the sake of it. It is about knowing your audience, having a clear strategy and creating content that sounds like you.
And accepting that Meta Business Suite will choose the busiest possible day to have a moment. That part appears to be unavoidable.
What would you add to the list?
Send us a message or join the conversation on our social pages. We have a feeling there may be more than 10.
