Noticed more carousels popping up in your feed lately? You're not imagining it—and if you're not already using them, it might be time to bring them back into your content mix.

Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, recently shared why carousel posts are starting to outperform Reels and single-image posts in some cases—and how creators can take full advantage.

More Visibility

According to Mosseri, there are two main reasons why carousels may see more reach:

More Chances to Engage

Instagram may show your carousel to your followers multiple times. First, they'll see it with the cover slide. If they scroll past without engaging, the algorithm might surface it again—this time starting with the second slide. That’s two chances to make an impression (without creating new content).

Carousels with Music Can Appear in the Reels Tab

Here’s a trick: If you add audio to your carousel at the time of posting, Instagram may push it into the Reels tab—expanding its reach even further. It's a small tweak that can lead to big visibility!

How to Design High-Performing Carousels

Carousels aren’t just swipeable—they’re strategic. Here’s how to create scroll-stopping carousels that actually perform:

• Hook with a strong cover slide
  Think of this as your headline. Use punchy text or an eye-catching visual that hooks your audience instantly.
  
  
• Optimize your second slide
  Since Instagram might show this first on the second go-around, make it count. Use it as a teaser or subhead to draw people into the rest of the post.
  
  
• Use text strategically
  Informative slides = more saves. But don’t overwhelm your audience—break up heavy text with line spacing, headers, or icons.
  
  
• Mix in visuals
  A few well-placed images, graphics, or charts (we love a good dupe roundup!) can help keep the flow dynamic and digestible.

• Create a natural flow
  Your carousel should tell a story—whether it’s educational, inspirational, or entertaining. Each slide should build momentum to keep people swiping through.
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• Make it shareable
  Posts that feel relatable or valuable get reshared to Stories, DMs, and beyond. Add that save-worthy factor and watch your reach grow.
  
  

The takeaway? When used intentionally, carousels can boost your reach, extend your post lifespan, and drive more engagement across the board.

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