If there’s one piece of advice I can’t stress enough when it comes to using social media in the genealogy community, it’s this: scroll less and engage more.
I know how easy it is to get caught in the endless scroll—reading post after post, watching reels, saving links for later (only to never revisit them). But if you’re serious about using social media to connect, grow, and learn within the genealogy community, then engagement is the key.
Why Scrolling Less Matters
Social media algorithms are designed to keep you scrolling. The more you passively consume content without interacting, the less those platforms show you meaningful posts. If you feel like you're not seeing the genealogy content that truly interests you, your scrolling habits might be part of the problem.
The Power of Engaging More
Here’s what happens when you start actively engaging instead of mindlessly scrolling:
🔹 You Build Connections – When you comment on posts, reply to stories, or share insights, you create opportunities for conversations and collaborations. You’re no longer a passive observer—you’re part of the discussion.
🔹 You Boost Your Visibility – Social platforms reward engagement. The more you interact with others, the more your own posts will show up in feeds.
🔹 You Learn and Contribute – Asking questions, sharing resources, and joining discussions will deepen your genealogy knowledge and help others at the same time.
🔹 You Make Your Time Count – Instead of wasting hours scrolling, you’re using your time intentionally, making meaningful connections that enrich your research and online experience.
Simple Ways to Engage More
✔️ Leave thoughtful comments instead of just liking posts.
✔️ Ask a question on a post that interests you.
✔️ Share a genealogy-related post to your story with your own insight.
✔️ Join a genealogy Facebook group and participate in discussions.
✔️ React to stories or posts with a DM instead of just tapping "like."
✔️ Share your own research findings and ask for input.
Social media should be a tool that works for you, not one that consumes your time without offering anything in return. So, challenge yourself this week: before scrolling, engage with at least three posts. See how it changes your experience—you might be surprised at how much more rewarding your time online becomes.
Are you ready to stop scrolling and start connecting? Let me know in the comments how you engage with the genealogy community on social media!. Your genealogy research (and community) will thank you for it!