Depending on how anal retentive you are will depend on how you use GR.
And I saw you used the word "popularity contest". It certainly can be, IF you want it to be. But if you're a normal person more concerned about what you're reading and what you've read and what you're going to read, that aspect will hardly ever impinge on you.
I guess my question to you is, WHY did you join? Any specific reasons? We can certainly point you in the right direction, if you know a general idea of what you want
I use GR to rate and review the books I read. Been keeping track since 2000, so it is invaluable when it comes to keeping me from re-reading books I read over a decade ago but don't remember.
AND you can get in fights with authors
But I only recommend that if you have a thick skin and like conflict...