What is a Carousel Post? Types, Examples & How to Create It

If you are an active user of social media, then you must be familiar with what a carousel post means.

In general, a carousel is a social media feature that allows users to upload multiple photos or videos at once within a single piece of content.

In the article below, you will learn about what a carousel post is, its types, examples, and how to create one. 

What Is a Carousel Post? 

A carousel refers to a feature on social media platforms that allows users to upload and display multiple images or videos within a single post. 

With this format, users can view more interesting photos/videos that are usually interconnected. Unlike single-image posts, carousels allow content creators to tell a richer and more comprehensive visual story. 

This feature typically comes in different formats on each type of social media. For example, on Instagram and LinkedIn, a carousel post may appear as horizontal slideshows. Meanwhile, some other platforms display them in a grid format.

Why Is Carousel Important?

According to a 2020 study by Search Engine Journal, carousel posts have the potential to generate up to 2.07% engagement, as long as the content is crafted to be as compelling as possible.

Carousels are versatile and are accessible to a wide range of users, from influencers (KOL) to the general public, and even social media accounts for businesses across various niches. 

In fact, in 2022, the Social Media Specialist team at Hootsuite explained that carousels have successfully reached more target audiences up to 1.4 times greater than single-image posts.

Carousel Function

The carousel post can be utilized for various purposes in content creation. Some of them are as follows:

1. Create Listings

Carousel posts are widely used to present content that includes tutorials or guides on how to do or achieve something.

In this case, a carousel format allows for a more in-depth exploration while simultaneously keeping the audience engaged.

2. Storytelling

This feature is highly valuable, especially for businesses that implement storytelling-based marketing and generally upload numerous photos or videos at once.

Through a carousel post, businesses can narrate an event, discovery, or historical moment in an interesting and relevant manner.

3. Product Marketing

Most of the time, potential buyers love to see a comprehensive preview of a product from various angles. This is where a carousel post is needed.

For instance, you can put the first slide to display an overall image of the product. Accordingly, you can put detailed photos or videos that highlight various aspects of the product on the subsequent slides.

4. Sharing Portfolio

Uploading content in the form of carousel posts can also be a suitable strategy if you are aiming to enhance your branding.  

Some creative professionals often use carousels to showcase their work. By sharing this portfolio, the likelihood of attracting potential clients will also be significantly increased.

5. Sharing Photo Dumps

Carousels are also frequently used by Gen Z and millennials on their social media. You've probably heard the term "photo dump" before, haven't you?

In short, the term is used to describe a series of images without a specific order or theme, but it would be a shame not to upload them.

Carousel Types

A carousel post can be categorized into two types based on its intended use. Here for more:

1. Organic Carousel Post

An organic carousel post is designed to make your social media content a lot more interactive. With this feature, you can express ideas, share information, or showcase related photos more profoundly.

Organic carousel posts offer several benefits, such as:

• Maximizing reach.
• Increasing interaction, discussions, and participation in polls.
• Serving as an informative tool to enhance personal branding.
• Providing a gallery with a series of more detailed media and much more.

2. Carousel Ads

Carousel Ads allow users to upload several photos or videos that are specifically created for advertising and promotion on social media.

Many businesses adopt this format as it is believed to be more effective in increasing interaction with the target audience through informative content.

Businesses can enhance their digital campaigns, maximize audience engagement, and encourage them to stay longer within specific content.

Now, marketing teams can even analyze the performance of each image in carousel content to understand user behavior and optimize subsequent campaigns.

In essence, Carousel Ads offer significant benefits, such as:

• Maximizing engagement with the target audience.
• Providing double exposure for businesses and attracting potential customers.
• Maximizing the visibility duration of a post, especially if the content is compelling.
• Serving as a budget-friendly marketing tool.

Some Examples of Carousel in Various Social Media

To better understand what is a carousel, let's review some of its examples directly, shall we? 

Here are some examples of carousel posts on some popular social media platforms:

1. Instagram Carousel

Instagram Carousel is highly popular since it can showcase a diverse array of photos or videos within a single post.

This platform allows users to upload photos and videos with a maximum of 10. In recent times, Instagram has become one of the most used marketing channels for businesses looking to promote their products or services. 

You can see the Instagram carousel example below:

2. LinkedIn Carousel 

Similar to Instagram, LinkedIn also incorporates the carousel format into its posting options. 

However, the use of carousels on LinkedIn differs from Instagram, as it is more commonly employed for sharing informative content rather than personal photos.

Users on LinkedIn can upload multiple images within a single post, provided each image's size does not exceed 10 MB. 

Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that the image scale adheres to the dimensions of 312 x 312 pixels. You can take a look at how a carousel post will appear on LinkedIn below.

3. Facebook Carousel

On Facebook, you can upload up to 10 carousel cards in a single piece of content. Additionally, Facebook recommends a 1:1 image ratio, with 30 MB size, and a resolution of 1080 x 1080 pixels.

Here's an example of a Facebook carousel:

4. Carousel X (Twitter)

On X, you have the ability to upload up to 4 photos simultaneously to create a cohesive carousel. If you wish to upload more photos than that, you can continue them in the form of a thread.

Below is an example of a carousel post on X (Twitter).

Tips on How to Make A Carousel Post

After understanding that a carousel post can increase both personal and business branding, you might be curious about how to create an engaging and competitive carousel. 

Therefore, consider the following tips:

• Prepare several photos or videos you want to upload.
• Prioritize storytelling content by uploading photos or videos in a sequential order of events.
• Ensure that the cover image has a unique and captivating visualization.
• In addition to visuals, make sure your content uses strong copywriting that intrigues the audience enough to swipe all the slides.
• Utilize a CTA on the last slide if you intend to sell something. 

That concludes the explanation of “what is a carousel post”, its functions, types, examples, and tips for creating one.

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