Instagram is no longer just a photo sharing app. Now, you can do so much more with videos, shopping experiences, and more real comments.
That doesn’t mean Instagram isn’t for images anymore. But it does mean that when you share them, you have to make it count.
Something you should seriously consider are carousels, a type of publication that has become an important part of content strategies.
Because?
Studies have shown that carousels are the most engaging post type on the platform.
What are Instagram carousel posts?
If you’re not familiar with carousels, they are “album-style” posts that can include up to 10 images or photos at a time.
The first time someone sees the post in your feed, it will show the first photo as the cover of the post.
But unlike regular image posts, it has a chance to reappear if the user doesn’t interact, this time showing the next image.
Whether it’s photos, infographics, or other types of images, the Instagram carousel is a great way to frame content in a digestible and attractive way.
We share some best practices to keep in mind to create attractive Instagram carousels.
- Use the first image as a “scroll topper”
The first image in the Instagram carousel is essentially your hook. Think of your first image as a title or header image.
Its only goal is to make people stop and pay attention.
Nothing else.
The rest of the carousel and the caption can take care of the other objectives of the post and convey the main message.
If you’re creating an infographic, consider keeping the first slide with an eye-catching title that complements the caption to draw people to the rest of the information.
- Encourage people to swipe
Once you’ve caught people’s attention with the first slide, you’ll want them to see the entire carousel.
As with any marketing activity, the best way to get someone to do what you expect is to prompt or ask them.
A simple caption with a swipe call to action should do the trick. For example, influencers often put something like “Swipe to see more!”
That simple sentence not only makes it clear that the post is a carousel, for anyone who hasn’t noticed it before.
It also adds a bit of curiosity for those who had seen it was a carousel and passed it up.
Another thing brands and influencers often do is add a visual cue to images, such as an arrow pointing right on all images except the final one.
- Make sure each slide can stand on its own
Another thing to keep in mind when designing your Instagram carousel slides and the order of information is that each slide stands on its own.
You never know exactly which image will be the first one someone comes across, as people can share specific images in their stories.
Additionally, once a user has viewed the first image, the post can reappear in their feed showing one of the others. Every image is a potential entry point.
That means you should be able to guess the general theme of the carousel by looking at any of the images it contains.
- Keep everything cohesive
As you try to shape each image into something that can stand alone, make sure you don’t accidentally design 10 individual graphics instead of one cohesive slideshow.
What you want to achieve is that the images feel like part of a series.
Some ways you can do this are:
Use the same fonts and colors on all graphics (brand guidelines should make this easier).
Use the same editing filters, styles, or presets on your photos.
Place a series title or watermark in the header or footer area of each slide.
Use the same design template for each graph.
This is all part of having a cohesive brand overall, which can also help you build brand recognition on Instagram.
Once you’ve managed to create cohesive carousels, you can try to ensure that all posts blend together equally well.
- Avoid information overload
It’s also important to remember that having 10 slides doesn’t mean you have to include 10 times as much information.
A better mindset for approaching Instagram carousels is this: you have much more room to convey the same amount of information.
Let the content breathe.
With these tips, you’ll post Instagram carousels that make people want to like, share, and comment much more than a static image.