Are build-in-public updates actually driving customers, or just peer applause?

We spent hours posting daily build updates, wireframes and metric screenshots on social platforms. Engagement was high, but when we checked our actual signups almost none came from those viral posts.

When we shifted focus to targeted niche communities and case studies impressions dropped 90% but qualified signups doubled.

Have build-in-public updates generated actual paying customers for you or mostly founder engagement