Instagram Carousel: What Is It and Why Should You Use It?

With the popularity of short video content, Reels remain the go-to option for Instagram posts. But, the Instagram carousel is still a big deal when it comes to getting people engaged. SocialPilot’s data says single photos get 0.59% engagement, while carousels get 1.26%.

Excited about using carousels on Instagram to boost engagement? That’s a good idea. But how to make a carousel on Instagram that grabs people’s attention? Let’s dive into that topic and find out!

What is Instagram Carousel Post?

An Instagram carousel post is a post that can have up to 10 photos or videos. Users can swipe or click through each item horizontally on their phones or through a browser. This feature is great for content creators who want to showcase more content without creating separate posts for each item.

A carousel on Instagram is just like a normal post. You can add captions, tags, and locations for the entire carousel of each item. You can also add product tags if you’re promoting new merch.

You can have fun creating a slideshow experience to display a series of images or videos about a specific theme. It could be a story, details of your latest event, highlights of products, a tutorial, and more.

Instagram carousel posts are designed to make users stop and engage with the content, especially if the first slide is captivating.

Here is a carousel post from illinois_fiveo. Each image smoothly flows into the next, creating a captivating story that continues with every swipe.

Key Features of Instagram Carousel

These are some of the key features of an Instagram carousel post that you need to know.

• Multiple Media Format — You can create a dynamic vibe with an Instagram carousel. Use up to 10 photos or videos at the same time in your post to make engaging content with ratios a variety of ratios like 1:1, 4:5, and 16:9. That’s what Sssniperwolf did in her post.
• Interactive Swipe — The swipe function on Instagram carousels boosts user engagement for your content. It also adds appeal to your posts. If you’re a travel vlogger like Alex Strohl, you can utilize each slide to highlight different locations and their attractions.
• Individual Slide Captions — With the Instagram carousel, you have the option to create separate captions for each slide. This is handy for tutorial posts. The specific details on every slide can keep your audience hooked, resulting in more impactful content due to an immersive storytelling experience.
• Detailed Insights — Detailed carousel analytics reveal the reach and engagement per slide, pinpointing top-performing content. Analyzing this data refines content strategy for improved results and heightened engagement.
• Shopping Integration — Carousel on Instagram works well with Instagram Shopping. This means you can easily tag products and share direct links to your online store. Each slide in the carousel can show off a different product, multiple products, or even the same product across multiple slides.
• Stickers and GIFs — You can jazz up your Instagram carousel posts by adding stickers and GIFs to each slide. It’ll bring a fun element to your content and make it more engaging. Imagine you’re a freelance designer or animator looking to show off your newest works.
• Accessibility Features — Instagram offers automatic alt text. However, you can customize it for each slide in an Instagram carousel. You can do that while posting or even after the carousel is live.

Benefits of Carousel Instagram

Why should you use Instagram carousels along with other types of posts on Instagram?

• Increased Engagement — Instagram carousels use a handy swipeable format. Every swipe shows new and captivating content, encouraging more interaction. When users spend more time on your post, Instagram’s algorithm recognizes the value of your content and ensures it reaches a wider audience.
• Enhanced Storytelling — “Stories are remembered up to 22 times more than facts alone.” Carousels on Instagram allow you to tell stories with multiple images or videos. Get the benefits from this feature to display products or share personal reflections, just like Jacksepticeye’s new year post.
• Improved Reach and Visibility — Your audience is likely to share your Instagram stories because they enjoy storytelling, right? And when they do, each slide will have its own frame, which will increase the reach of your post.
• Getting More Creative — You don’t have to upload photos one by one, right? So feel free to mix photos and videos to let your creativity shine. Promoting a new merch? Go for it! Trying new angles? No problem. This works for all kinds of content, from gaming and cosplay to even ASMR.
• More Options to Value-Driven Content — Before, educational content on Instagram was mostly videos. But now, with Instagram carousels, you can break down complex topics into bite-sized pieces, making it easier for your followers to learn and understand.
• Call-to-Action Optimization — Unsure how to add a CTA to your post without being pushy? Instagram carousels are the solution. Start with a photo hinting to swipe for more, then place your CTA at the end. This increases the chances of action, like visiting your website or signing up for a special offer.

Read More: How to Get Followers on Instagram

How to Make Instagram Carousel Posts

Creating an Instagram carousel post is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps. Here’s how to make a seamless Instagram carousel post:

1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device or desktop.
2. Click on the “+” button from the navigation bar at the top of your screen.
3. Select the option to create a new “Post.”
4. Tap on the option to “Select multiple” and choose up to 10 images or videos in the order you want them to appear.
5. Edit your images or videos as desired, using filters, text, or other creative tools.
6. Add details to your carousel post, including a suitable and enticing caption, relevant hashtags, and tags for people or locations.
7. Once you have everything sorted, tap on the “Share” button, and your Instagram carousel post will be published.

Read : How to Collab Post on Instagram 2023

When To Use Instagram Carousels

Now, when should you use Instagram carousels for your posts to get many engagements?

1. Demonstrating Product Showcases

Imagine you’re launching a new clothing collection for your brand. You have great outfits and want to highlight the quality fabric, stitching, and fit.

Use an Instagram carousel to show off your collection. Each slide can focus on a different detail, so your followers can see everything up close and picture themselves wearing your clothes.

When they want to buy, it’s easy to find the right item because each slide links to the product. It’s like a mini online store for your awesome collection!

2. Sharing Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Content

Curious about how Zach King makes his magic videos? He often shares behind-the-scenes glimpses. And that’s part of why he’s so popular on Instagram.

Zach once used carousel on Instagram to introduce his team, showing how the videos are made.

Your audience will also enjoy seeing what happens behind the scenes of your content. So share some of your own exclusive content using carousels. It’s a great way to show your followers what makes your brand unique, right?

3. Sharing User-Generated Content

Instagram carousels are a great way to share user-generated content and boost your customers’ voices. When displaying your photos and videos, you can create a strong community around your brand. You can also promote your products or services in an authentic way.

Big companies like Redbull and GoPro often use carousel as their Instagram format posts. As a content creator, you can do the same to promote your products or merch.

4. Creating a Tutorial Videos

YouTube is great for long tutorials, but Instagram carousels are perfect for sharing quick and easy lessons. You can simplify complex processes into easy steps using photos, short videos, and clear captions.

With carousels, viewers can learn at their own speed. They can swipe through to follow along or go back to review specific steps. Carousels are also awesome for showing off the final result, so viewers can see what they can achieve by following your tutorial.

5. Brand Storytelling

Think about sharing your brand’s story to connect with your audience? A good idea. Telling a compelling story is a great way to attract viewers, and Instagram carousels are perfect for this.

Use carousels to show your brand’s story and values, and you’ll create an emotional bond with your followers. Carousels can also highlight your brand’s history and important moments, like celebrating 1 million subscribers in all social media platforms. This works for both businesses and content creators.

6. Making Announcements

At Gank, we love using Instagram carousels to share news, updates, or promotions about our featured content creators. We find it’s a more engaging and informative way to get the word out than just a single photo.

You can use it, too. With multiple slides, you can create a multi-faceted announcement that grabs attention and shares all the important details. You can even add testimonials and registration links to make it easy for interested people to sign up and learn more.

7. Sharing Infographic Research

Sharing the latest trends in your niche with eye-catching infographics is a great way to show off your expertise and impress your followers. A simple photo post might get the job done, but an Instagram carousel lets you tell the whole story.

Each slide can show a different piece of information, such as an interesting fact or a popular trend. This allows your followers to understand the main points easily without being overwhelmed by a lot of text or complicated charts.

After all, making complicated stuff easy to understand is what separates the experts from the amateurs, right?

8. Making Before-After Content

Before-and-after content is popular for a reason. It grabs attention and gets people engaged. Instagram carousels let you use this format to tease your audience with transformations or results.

It’s not just for makeup tutorials anymore. Any niche can use it. Check out how Stickylollies does it with their candy-making videos. It makes people crave their candy and leaves a strong impression.

Showing these visual transformations builds trust in your brand and encourages potential customers to try your products.

9. Repurposing Content

Instagram carousels are a great way to repurpose content like long videos or blog posts. By breaking them down into smaller, eye-catching slides, you can reach a wider audience and keep your content alive longer.

Take a blog post, for example. You can turn it into a carousel by summarizing key points, highlighting important stats, or sharing quick tips. This helps readers quickly understand the main ideas and encourages them to read the whole blog post.

That’s how brands like Semrush use social media to drive more traffic to their blogs and website.

10. Sharing New Year Reflections

Everyone’s sharing their new year reflections on Instagram carousels, even famous YouTubers and Instagram stars like Jacksepticeye. It’s a great way to connect with your audience on a personal level.

You can share your highlights, goals, or personal stories from the past year to create a space for reflection, motivation, and shared experiences. This gives your followers a glimpse into your life, making you more relatable as a content creator.

11. Sharing a Recipe

Do you want to show how good you are at cooking in a new and different way instead of using Reels and Stories posts? Try sharing recipes on Instagram carousels. You can break down each dish into simple steps, using photos or videos to show the process.

Making a pasta, pizza, steak, or anything else you can think of. Each slide in the carousel would show a different step, like chopping vegetables or plating the dish. Keep instructions and ingredients simple in the caption, so viewers focus on your delicious visuals.

Read : 250+ Short Captions for Instagram

Instagram Carousel: A Wrap Up

Instagram carousels stand as potent instruments for fueling social media engagement, forming an essential pillar of any effective Instagram strategy.

Through the fusion of top-tier visuals, captivating text, and inventive design components, you can shape compelling and visually captivating Instagram carousel posts that command your audience’s gaze and elevate your engagement on the platform.

With the versatility inherent to Instagram carousels, you gain a platform to spotlight your products, services, and brand in an unprecedented and interactive manner, culminating in heightened engagement, broader reach, and enhanced conversions.

FAQ