I'm new here. What's all about this merit count? How is it earned? I'm assuming it's linked to the quality/usefulness of your posts/replies? Their originality maybe? What are usually the subjects you'd get the more merit for posting about?
You probably have had several anwsers to your question, but then, I am still happy to further say that you are right with all that you said about merit, merit is one of the most important aspect of this forum as far as a user is intrested in ranking up and staying relevant, and earning merit on this forum is very easy, all one have to do is make really good and quality posts, doesnt matter whether if it's a new thread you are starting or you are just commenting on another thread, make really good quality post or comment, and readers will gladly send you merits depending on the level at which they understand what you said and found it useful or very useful.
While other people may seem easy for them to gain merits, but there are still a lot of us here who are struggling to earn merits. DYOR is the key and make reading a habit in the forum and even outside the forum. That way, you will gain a lot of new insights that you can add to a certain discussion in the forum. But don’t get obsessed with getting merits, that will eventually happen in time when you have improved the quality of your posts being posted in the forum. Instead, focus more on gaining new relevant information all about bitcoin and its crypto space. There’s higher advantage to gain merits if you have a lot of new knowledge to share that you think will bring benefits to the majority in the forum.