Ask Lemmy

Find a niche that you have insight in that might interest the virtual crowd, such as pointing out small details in art or photos that a layperson might miss that may be part of your interests, such as identifying unique machinery or mentioning what a potential "easter egg" might be referencing. In my experience those comments usually lead to interested people asking for more about the detail or sharing their own interests in the subject. Alternatively, you can also just provide a funny quip or some background knowledge on some random post you found. That works too.

Not really, but usually when you just upvote someone they tend to not realize you were the upvoter (although people do appreciate upvotes). Replying thanks usually isn't problematic, and can brighten someone's day.

Probably? Unless the post has a lot of activity over several days you probably won't get any engagement other than upvotes/downvotes tho.

AI slop, reposts from other websites with visible watermarks or are compressed to high hell, copying a post from one community and posting it to another (just link the post instead).

See above, but if it's in a relevant community, it's appreciated more often than not :)

It's the internet, and we're not your parents. That being said, just realize someone may be confused rather than engaging in bad faith with you over a topic, and try to avoid feeding the trolls (just report them or block them when visible). On top of that, usually there is a human on the other end, and we do have a wide range of worldviews here - if you seem to be in a place that doesn't seem like a friendly place to chat, might be a sign to just leave that community and find an appropriate alternative. (But do try to report obvious bots, AI slop, and people who take things a bit too far).

If you are a rookie realize that people will judge you for a young account age, since you could be seen as a bot. Nothing personal. Lurk more, and post when you got something prepared to say :)