In recent years, Instagram has become an essential marketing tool for businesses of all sizes. With over 1 billion monthly active users, the platform provides a powerful way to connect with customers, build brand awareness, and drive sales. One feature that has gained popularity among marketers is the Instagram carousel format.
By allowing users to post up to 10 photos or videos in a single post, carousels offer a unique opportunity to share more content and tell a more comprehensive story. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using Instagram carousel posts in your marketing strategy and discuss trends and future predictions for the format.
We will also provide tips on how to create successful carousels and share examples from different industries. Additionally, we will explore how social media scheduler tools like RecurPost can enhance and simplify the process of creating and scheduling Instagram carousels.
By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how Instagram carousels can benefit your business and how to use them effectively in your marketing strategy.
So let’s dive right into our ultimate guide to carousels!
What is Instagram Carousel
An Instagram Carousel is a post format on Instagram that allows you to share up to 10 photos or videos in a single post. Each photo or video is displayed as a separate card within the carousel and your followers can swipe left or right to view the content.
The carousel format is an excellent way to share multiple pieces of content in one post, allowing you to tell a more comprehensive story. As a business owner, you can use carousels to showcase products, share user generated content, provide educational information, and more.
Marketers love using Instagram carousels because they can lead to increased engagement, better storytelling, improved visibility on the platform, and get more clients for their agency. By creating eye-catching and creative carousels, you can stand out from other brands and capture the attention of potential customers.
Advantages of Instagram Carousel for Marketing
Increased engagement
One of the primary advantages of using Instagram carousel posts is that they can lead to increased engagement from your followers. Carousels indeed offer a unique opportunity to showcase multiple pieces of content in one post, which can capture the attention of your audience and encourage them to spend more time on your page. By creating compelling carousels, you can increase likes, comments, and shares, which can help to boost your reach and visibility on the platform.
Enhanced storytelling
Instagram carousels can be an effective tool for telling a more comprehensive story about your brand or product. By sharing multiple images or videos in one post, you can provide more context and detail about your message or offer. Carousels can also be used to create visual narratives, using each slide to build on the previous one and tell a more complete story.
More information in one post
Another advantage of using Instagram carousels is that they allow you to share more information in a single post. With up to 10 cards available in each carousel, you can provide more details about your product, service, or message without overwhelming your followers with too much information in a single post (or even do photo dumps!). You can also run an Instagram carousel ad when you want to reach potential customers by providing them with more information in a single ad.
Better visibility
Instagram carousels can help to improve your visibility on the platform. By creating engaging and high-quality carousel posts, you can increase your chances of being featured on the Explore page, which can lead to increased visibility and reach for your brand. Additionally, carousels can help to break up the monotony of your Instagram feed, making your posts more eye-catching and interesting to your followers.
Instagram Carousel in 2024: Trends and Future Predictions
Increased focus on video carousels
Video carousels have already become popular on Instagram, and we can expect to see more brands using this format in 2024. This trend is in line with the rise of short-form video content and the popularity of TikTok, which has demonstrated the effectiveness of video content in capturing and retaining audience attention. You can use manual or even AI video editing apps to come up with amazing videos for your carousels.
Instagram’s video carousel format allows you to showcase multiple videos in one post, allowing for more immersive and engaging storytelling. You can use video carousels to showcase product features, provide educational content, or also to tell compelling stories that capture the attention of your audience.
Rise of interactive carousels
Interactive carousels are an excellent way to engage audiences and build stronger relationships with followers. You can use interactive carousels to create polls, quizzes, and other types of engaging content that can help to drive engagement and gather feedback from your audience.
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Interactive carousels also allow you to provide a more personalized experience for your followers, as you can tailor the content based on the user’s interests or preferences. In 2024, we can expect to see more creative use of interactive carousels, with brands experimenting with different types of interactive content that provide a unique and engaging experience for their followers.
Personalization of carousels
Personalized carousels are a powerful tool for building brand loyalty and driving engagement. By using data and analytics to create customized carousels for individual users, you can provide a more tailored experience that resonates with your followers.
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For example, a fashion brand could create a personalized carousel that showcases products based on the user’s previous purchases or browsing history. In 2024, we can expect to see more brands investing in personalization, as it can help to differentiate their brand, provide a competitive edge, and improve social media positioning.
Integration with e-commerce
E-commerce has become increasingly important on Instagram, with more brands using the platform to drive sales and revenue. The integration of carousels with e-commerce is a natural evolution, as it provides a seamless shopping experience for customers.
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You can use carousels to showcase products, provide additional information, and also enable customers to purchase directly from the post. In 2024, we can expect to see more brands using this format to drive sales, with the possibility of new e-commerce features being added to Instagram’s platform to facilitate this trend.
Increased use of user-generated content (UGC) carousels
UGC has become increasingly popular on social platforms, as it provides social proof and builds trust with followers. In 2024, we can expect to see more brands using UGC carousels as a way to showcase their customers and build a stronger community around their brand.
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UGC carousels can feature photos and videos submitted by users, along with captions or testimonials that highlight the benefits of the product or service. You can also use UGC carousels as a way to collect feedback and gather insights about your products or services. With the rise of UGC carousels, you can create a more authentic and relatable image, and connect with your audience on a more personal level.
How to Create a Successful Instagram Carousel
Defining the purpose and goal of the carousel
Before creating an Instagram carousel, it’s important to define the purpose and goal of the post. Are you trying to showcase a new product, promote a sale, or tell a story? By identifying the primary objective of the carousel, you can tailor the content and design to achieve your desired outcome.
Additionally, you should consider the target audience and what types of content will resonate with them. When defining the purpose and goal of the carousel, it’s important to consider the overall marketing strategy and how the post fits into the larger picture.
For example, if you’re running a product launch campaign, the carousel could be used to showcase the different features and benefits of the product. Alternatively, if you’re promoting an event, the carousel could feature photos or videos from previous events to build excitement and anticipation.
Planning and designing the carousel
Once you’ve defined the purpose and goal of the carousel, it’s time to plan and design the post. This involves deciding on the number of images or videos to include, the order in which they should appear, and the layout of the post. You should also consider the aesthetic of the post, including the use of colors, fonts, and graphics that align with your brand identity.
The recommended Instagram carousel size is a “Width of 1080 pixels and height between 566 and 1350 pixels.” When planning and designing the carousel, it’s important to consider how the post will look on both mobile and desktop devices.
Instagram carousels are viewed differently depending on the device, so it’s important to test the post on both platforms before publishing. You should also consider using Instagram carousel templates or design tools like Canva to create a consistent look and feel across all of your Instagram carousels.
RecurPost offers a seamless solution for planning and designing captivating Instagram carousels. With its built-in Canva editor, you can easily create eye-catching posts that align with your brand identity, utilizing the recommended size for Instagram carousels. The Canva editor allows you to customize the number of images or videos, arrange them in the desired order, and choose from various colors, fonts, and graphics.
Once your carousel is designed, you can conveniently schedule it for posting directly from the RecurPost dashboard, making it a seamless process from planning to scheduling your Instagram carousels.
Crafting the content and messaging
The content and messaging of the carousel are crucial for engaging your audience and achieving your desired outcome. Each image or video should be crafted to tell a compelling story or provide valuable information to your audience. You should also consider the tone of the messaging and how it aligns with your brand voice.
Additionally, you should include a clear call-to-action (CTA) that prompts your audience to take action, such as visiting your website or making a purchase. When you create Instagram carousel designs, it’s important to focus on providing value to your audience. This could include tips, insights, or behind-the-scenes content that provides a glimpse into your brand.
You should also consider incorporating storytelling elements, such as a beginning, middle, and end, to make the post more engaging. Additionally, you should consider using captions to provide context and add depth to your social media post.
Maximizing the impact with hashtags and CTAs
To maximize the impact of the carousel, you should include relevant hashtags and CTAs. Hashtags are a great way to increase visibility and reach a wider audience on Instagram. You should include hashtags that are relevant to your brand, industry, and the content of the post.
CTAs, on the other hand, prompt your audience to take action and engage with your brand. You should include a clear CTA in the post, such as “Shop Now” or “Learn More”, that encourages your audience to take the desired action. When using hashtags in your Instagram carousel, it’s important to strike a balance between relevance and volume.
You should aim to use hashtags that are specific to your brand or industry, while also using popular hashtags to increase visibility. Additionally, you should consider using location-specific hashtags to reach a local audience. When using CTAs, it’s important to make the desired action clear and easy to follow.
You should also consider using urgency and scarcity tactics to encourage immediate action. You can use a social media bulk scheduling tool to schedule all your carousel posts at once, making sure that your grids are never empty.
Analyzing and optimizing the results
Finally, it’s important to analyze the results of the carousel and optimize for future posts. Instagram provides valuable insights into the performance of your post, including engagement metrics such as likes, comments, and shares.
By analyzing these metrics, you can identify what worked well and what could be improved for future carousels. You should also consider testing different content formats, messaging, and design elements to see what resonates best with your audience.
When analyzing the results of your Instagram carousel, it’s important to consider the engagement rate as well as the overall business impact. For example, if the carousel drove a significant increase in website traffic or sales, you should consider replicating the elements that contributed to that success in future posts.
You should also consider testing different post formats, such as adding videos or GIFs, to see what resonates best with your audience. Finally, it’s important to continuously track and analyze the performance of your Instagram carousels to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. You can also play around with different Instagram carousel sizes and see what works best for you.
How RecurPost can Automate and Enhance Your Instagram Carousel Marketing
As a marketer, you likely know that consistency and frequency are key to building a successful social presence. But creating and publishing regular Instagram carousels can be a time-consuming process. That’s where RecurPost comes in – a social media scheduling tool that can automate the process of creating and publishing Instagram carousels.
RecurPost is a social media scheduling tool that allows you to create and publish content across multiple social platforms, including Instagram. Some of its features include a content library, which lets you store and organize your posts, as well as the ability to schedule posts in advance. Additionally, RecurPost offers analytics and insights to help you track the performance of your social media content.
How RecurPost can streamline the creation and scheduling process for Instagram carousels
RecurPost’s intuitive platform can help streamline the creation and scheduling process for Instagram carousels. Its drag-and-drop editor allows you to easily create and organize your Instagram carousel post, while the scheduling feature lets you plan and automate your posting schedule. With RecurPost, you can save time and effort and schedule Instagram posts at once.
Customization options for carousel scheduling and posting
RecurPost offers a variety of customization options for carousel scheduling and posting. You can choose to post your carousels at specific times or on specific days of the week, or even set up recurring posting schedules. Additionally, you can customize the captions, hashtags, and other details of each carousel post to ensure they align with your brand’s messaging and tone.
Analytics and insights provided by RecurPost for Instagram carousel performance
One of the key benefits of using RecurPost for Instagram carousel marketing is the detailed analytics and insights it provides. You can track the engagement rate, reach, and other important metrics for each of your carousel posts. This information can help you optimize your posting strategy and refine your content to better resonate with your audience.
Support for other social platforms
Apart from the ability to schedule Instagram carousel post, RecurPost lets you schedule Facebook posts on your profiles, groups, and pages. You can use RecurPost’s content library to store and organize your social posts, making it easier to manage your content strategy.
You can easily schedule tweets on multiple accounts and create tweet variations for posting the same message multiple times without the fear of getting banned.
RecurPost also allows you to schedule LinkedIn posts on your personal and business pages to connect with business professionals in your industry. To brand your products and services, you can schedule pins using RecurPost’s Pinterest scheduler.
The mobile application offered by RecurPost helps you to schedule, edit, and manage your posts on the go. It offers you an amazing feature of social inbox – where you can see and manage messages, notifications, and comments from all the social accounts that you have connected.
Also, to target your local audience, you can also schedule Google Business posts with a call to action.
Examples of Successful Instagram Carousels
Below are some Instagram carousel examples used by brands from different industries:
Fashion and beauty industry
Fashion and beauty brands have been using Instagram carousels to showcase their collections, products, and behind-the-scenes footage. For example, the popular beauty brand Glossier often uses carousels to showcase their skincare products, featuring multiple images and videos of people using the products. Also, fashion brands like Zara use carousels to show off their latest collections, allowing users to swipe through multiple images of outfits styled together.
Food and beverage industry
Food and beverage brands have also found success with Instagram carousels, using them to showcase their products, recipes, and behind-the-scenes footage. For example, the popular coffee chain Starbucks often uses carousels to showcase new drinks and menu items, featuring multiple images and videos of the drinks being made and enjoyed. Food brands like Tasty often use carousels to showcase their recipes, featuring multiple images and videos of the cooking process and final product.
Travel and hospitality industry
Travel and hospitality brands have been using Instagram carousels to showcase their destinations, accommodations, and experiences. For example, the luxury hotel brand Four Seasons often uses carousels to showcase their properties around the world, featuring multiple images and videos of the accommodations and amenities. Travel brands like Lonely Planet often use carousels to showcase different destinations, featuring multiple images and videos of the sights, food, and culture.
Fitness and wellness industry
Fitness and wellness brands have also found success with Instagram carousels, using them to showcase workouts, healthy recipes, and lifestyle tips. For example, the popular fitness brand Nike often uses carousels to showcase their latest workout gear, featuring multiple images and videos of people wearing the gear while exercising. Wellness brands like MindBodyGreen often use carousels to showcase healthy recipes and lifestyle tips, featuring multiple images and videos of the ingredients and preparation process.
It is also a good idea to download Instagram carousel posts shared by these brands and refer them for designing your own creatives.
The Bottom Line
To sum up, Instagram carousels are a highly effective marketing tactic that offers a range of benefits for businesses looking to boost their online presence. From increased engagement to enhanced storytelling and better visibility, carousels offer a versatile and engaging way for you to showcase your products, services, and brand personality.
Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, we can expect to see continued growth and evolution of the Instagram carousel format, with a focus on video carousels, interactive elements, personalization, and e-commerce integration. With the right strategy and approach, you can leverage these trends to create even more engaging and effective Instagram carousels in the years to come.
Moreover, social media automation tools like RecurPost can help streamline the creation and scheduling process for Instagram carousels, allowing you to maximize their impact with minimal effort. Check out RecurPost’s pricing and see how affordable it can be to automate your social accounts. By taking advantage of these tools, you can ensure you’re creating and sharing high-quality content on a regular basis, without sacrificing time or resources.
Sign up for RecurPost and take the free trial today!
Frequently Asked Questions
To use a carousel on Instagram, select multiple photos or videos when creating a post and then tap the “Carousel” option to arrange and customize the order of your content.
To make a sliding carousel on Instagram, select multiple photos or videos when creating a post and then tap the “Carousel” option to arrange and customize the order of your content, and users can swipe left or right to see all the content.
Carousel posts can perform better on Instagram as they allow for more creative expression and storytelling, and can increase engagement and time spent on a post.
The current limit for Instagram Carousel is 10 photos or videos per post.
A good Instagram carousel has a clear theme, tells a story, uses eye-catching visuals, and includes a call-to-action or engagement prompt.
Seamless carousel is a type of Instagram carousel where multiple photos or videos are arranged in a way that makes them look like a single image or video when viewed in the grid view of a user’s profile.
Disadvantages of using a carousel on Instagram include the potential for lower engagement on individual slides and the possibility of overwhelming or confusing followers with too much content in one post.
Dr. Dinesh Agarwal is a research scientist turned entrepreneur. He is fascinated with the social media world and has been working in the industry since 2013, where he built his first social media management tool that got acquired a few years later. He likes sharing his experience on podcasts, conferences and via his articles.