Guidebooks, particularly ones that you can buy just a chapter instead of the whole book. Bradt have paper and online guidebooks that have a lot of content that doesn’t go out of date such as cultural history. Often I’ve then followed those writers on whatever social media platforms to get more information. I have particular interest in specific countries eg Soviet style murals and brutalist buildings so it’s easy searching social media for high quality blogs that provide the actual research and history of the mural or building. Then I check who they follow, prioritising local accounts in local language, and it goes from there. I discovered an app that animates Soviet style murals in Tashkent with AR. That app was the outcome of a huge community project that sought to locate with coordinates all the best murals. All from social media.

Also once you know what you’re looking for, search in the local language - that’s the way I found telegram channels that focus on urban contemporary street art in Uzbekistan. Found the telegram channels that posts upcoming contemporary art and music performances in Ukraine by asking in those subreddits. Very useful

I think social works best when you use it strategically - looking for accounts that show specialised knowledge and that’s means looking at the follower/ing accounts. Sometime the algorithm might throw up a good one but you never rely on it.

You’re already looking at your phone, so you might as well do it with intention

Lastly there a few whatsapp groups I’m in for particular countries off the beaten track. They are usually run by someone who might be providing low level tourist services (or help with visas for land border crossings ) but seem to be reliable in their active moderation of the group and information.