I think where people go wrong counting calories is they try to just eat smaller portions for the crap they were eating before they diet, tracking it in a phone app and crediting themselves for calories burned from exercise and then wonder why they aren't losing weight or aren't losing fat.

I'm a big believer (and recent loser of 67 lbs of fat) following more of a macro nutrient diet but I also understand the fact that it works because it is a calorie balanced diet too.