The problem with social media is always the same... people don't actually engage they 'trust' an algorithm to show them content and in return show theirs to others.
On masto, you have to engage with others and let's be honest... most people are to lazy to do that. All they want to do is shitpost links for likes and expect everyone else to do their work for them by sharing it.
That's why they don't get it... and you can't cure that sort of laziness overnight.