Carousel Posts on Instagram: A Simple Guide for Beginners

Sukhpal Saini

Sukhpal Saini

— 4 min read
Carousel Posts on Instagram: A Simple Guide for Beginners

If you’ve ever swiped left on an Instagram post to see more photos or videos, you’ve already interacted with one. But by definition, what is a carousel on Instagram? In this guide, we’ll break it down in simple terms; what an Instagram carousel is exactly, how it works, and why so many creators and brands use it.

Whether you’re new to Instagram or just want to understand the feature better, this article covers everything you need to know.

[Image via Media Modifier]

An Instagram carousel is a single post that contains multiple photos or videos that users can swipe through horizontally. Instead of sharing just one image or video, you can share up to 20 pieces of content in one post.

The instagram carousel format allows for punchy and digestible posts that tell stories, educate, and showcase multiple visuals without flooding your feed with separate posts.

Each carousel post shows:

  • A stacked square icon in the top-right corner
  • Dots below the post indicating multiple slides
  • A swipe-left action to view the rest of the content

Instagram carousel posts can contain: 

  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Graphics
  • Text-based slides
  • A mix of all of the above 

Here’s an example from @the.holistic.psychologist, a popular content creator who utilizes carousels for nearly every post:

Now that you know what an Instagram carousel is, let’s break down why they’re one of the most effective methods of increasing audience engagement on Instagram.

Carousels are useful not only because they’re flexible and engaging, but also because they encourage users to interact by swiping through images, pausing to read, reviewing previous slides, and so on. Each of these interactions signals to the Instagram algorithm that the content is performing well which means Instagram will prioritize showing it in the feed. 

Common uses include:

  • Step-by-step tutorials
  • Before-and-after transformations
  • Product showcases
  • Educational tips or mini-guides
  • Storytelling across multiple images
  • Sharing multiple angles of the same photo

Carousel posts on instagram are a powerful way to share more information without overwhelming your audience.

What’s the difference between a carousel post on Instagram vs. a regular post?

You’re probably familiar with what a regular post on Instagram looks like. It features one single image, video, graphic, etc. allows for comments, saves, likes, and shares. It does not include anything to swipe through, so it’s perfect for showcasing one key visual, video or message.

A carousel post on Instagram works just like a regular post in terms of how it looks and how people interact with it, but with a few extra features:

  1. You upload multiple photos or videos at once (up to 20)
  2. Instagram displays them as swipeable slides that can only be viewed one at a time, keeping your grid (and your audience’s feed) cleaner while posting more content
  3. The caption, likes, and comments apply to the entire carousel

Users can swipe manually, or Instagram may auto-advance slides when videos are included or when the first slide has already been viewed.

This makes carousels more interactive than single-image posts. If your content needs added context or explanation, a carousel is often the better choice.

If you’re still thinking, “what is a carousel post on Instagram and why does it matter?” — allow us to clarify the biggest benefits of using them in your content strategy.

1. More Engagement

Carousels often get higher engagement because users spend more time swiping through them.

2. More Space to Share

Instead of choosing one image, you can share a full story or multiple ideas in one post. You can even use more than one medium (images, text, video, etc.)

3. Better Education

Creators love carousels for teaching. Each slide can focus on one concisely communicated tip, making information easier to digest and retain.

4. Stronger Storytelling

You can easily guide viewers through a story, hooking them from start to finish through dynamic content, one slide at a time.

That’s why brands, influencers, and businesses rely heavily on carousel posts.

What is an Instagram Carousel Post to Your Business?

Whether you’re a creator, a business owner, a marketer, an aspiring influencer or thought leader, there are endless ways you can use instagram carousel posts to your advantage. It’s ideal for:

  • Introducing yourself to your audience
  • Highlighting product features
  • Showing customer reviews
  • Explaining services
  • Sharing sales & promotions
  • Showcasing testimonials

Plus, it’s a great way to generate added likes and shares, since users may want to bookmark the info-packed post to reference or review later on.

Here are a couple of examples of brands using carousels in creative ways:

Example of carousel post from Seed showcasing "Your Gut-Friendly Airport Guide"
Image via @seed on Instagram
Example of Aerie using an Instagram post to share product photos of new sports bra and legging sets.
Image via @aerie on Instagram

Here’s a short and sweet summary for the next time you’re answering the question, “what is a carousel on Instagram?” 

It’s a single Instagram post that lets you share multiple photos or videos in a swipeable format. Instagram carousel posts revolve around generating engagement through storytelling, teaching, and connecting with your audience by sharing maximum value in one post.

If you want to educate, inspire, or showcase more without cluttering your feed, Instagram carousels are one of the best avenues available.

Now that you know what an Instagram carousel post is and how it works, you’re ready to start using them more effectively in your own content.

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