Instagram is shaking things up again! You’ve probably heard about the new 3-minute reels (hello, storytelling mode!), but did you know carousels are dominating the engagement game?

If you're still posting single images and hoping for the best, it’s time for a new strategy. Carousels are getting 3x more engagement than static posts, making them one of the best ways to educate, entertain, and convert your audience. And here's the kicker—Instagram now re-shows your carousel if someone doesn’t engage the first time! That means more chances to grab attention without extra effort.

Why Are Carousels So Powerful?

Think of a carousel as a mini-PowerPoint on Instagram—except instead of boring slides, you’re creating an interactive, scroll-worthy experience. Here’s why they work so well:

• They encourage longer engagement: The more people swipe, the longer they stay on your post, and Instagram LOVES that.
• Instagram automatically retargets non-engagers: If someone scrolls past your first slide, Instagram shows them slide two later. Genius, right?
• They generate more likes and shares: In 2025, these two actions are the most important ranking factors for the algorithm. 

So, if you're posting static images instead of carousels, you're leaving engagement on the table!

The Formula for a High-Performing Carousel

Not all carousels are created equal. A random mix of slides won’t cut it—you need a strategy. Here’s the winning formula we teach in our Instagram Growth Lab:

Slide 1: Hook them in (Make it bold, eye-catching, or even a short video!)
Slide 2: Reinforce the hook + set the context
Slides 3-5: Deliver value (tips, case studies, how-to’s)
Slides 6-8: Deepen engagement (examples, quick wins)
Slide 9: Call to action (Like, share, comment, save!)

Example: Instead of posting a static image that says, “5 Instagram Mistakes You’re Making”, turn it into a carousel:

• Slide 1: Big, bold title ("Struggling to Grow? Here’s Why!")
• Slide 2: "These 5 mistakes are killing your engagement—let’s fix them!"
• Slides 3-7: Break down each mistake with a quick tip
• Slide 8: “Fix these and watch your growth skyrocket!”
• Slide 9: “Save this for later & tag a biz bestie!”

How to Repurpose Reels into Carousels (In Minutes!)

Instead of constantly creating brand-new content, work smarter, not harder by repurposing your best reels. Here’s how:

1. Find your top-performing reels (check insights to see which ones got the most engagement).
2. Use your phone’s voice memo app to transcribe them (iPhones do this automatically!).
3. Copy-paste the transcript into ChatGPT and ask it to format it for a carousel.
4. Find a carousel template in Canva (there are thousands!).
5. Animate the slides and download them as separate video files for Instagram.

Boom! You’ve just created a high-impact carousel in a fraction of the time.

Wrapping Up

Instagram is Rewarding Carousels—Don’t Get Left Behind

Instagram is doubling down on content that keeps users engaged. The longer people interact with your post, the more Instagram pushes it to new audiences.

And with carousels, you’re not just posting—you’re building authority, increasing visibility, and driving action.