Plan Your Carousel in Seconds

Why Carousel Posts Outperform Single Images

Carousel posts are the highest-engagement format on both Instagram and LinkedIn. On LinkedIn, document posts generate more clicks than any other format.

Every swipe is an interaction. The algorithm reads it as engagement and increases your reach. Carousels also earn saves because people want to reference the content later.

The Hook-Value-CTA Framework

Every high-performing carousel follows this structure:

Slide 1: The Hook

Your cover slide must stop the scroll. Use a bold headline with large text, a surprising stat, or a provocative question. Keep it under 8 words. This is the most important slide because it determines whether anyone swipes.

Slides 2 to N-1: The Value

Each middle slide delivers one clear point. Use a bold headline plus 1-2 short sentences of supporting text. One idea per slide. If someone cannot understand the point in 3 seconds, simplify it.

Final Slide: The CTA

Tell people exactly what to do: save this post, share with a friend, follow for more, or click the link in bio. A carousel without a CTA wastes the attention you earned.

Carousel Design Best Practices

• Dimensions: 1080x1350px (portrait) for maximum screen real estate, or 1080x1080px (square)
• Text size: Headlines at 40-60px, body text at 24-32px minimum for mobile readability
• Consistency: Same fonts, colors, and layout across all slides for a cohesive look
• Contrast: Dark text on light backgrounds or light text on dark backgrounds. Avoid busy backgrounds behind text
• Branding: Include your handle or logo subtly on the last slide

Carousel Ideas That Work for Any Niche

• Step-by-step tutorials: Break a process into numbered slides
• Myth vs. reality: One myth per slide, debunked with facts
• Before and after: Show transformation, results, or comparisons
• Listicles: "7 tools I use daily" with one tool per slide
• Quick tips: Bite-sized advice with clear takeaways
• Frameworks: Visual models and mental frameworks

Pair your carousel with a strong caption and post at the best time for maximum reach. Use the caption variant generator to A/B test different hooks for your carousel caption. For LinkedIn carousels specifically, our LinkedIn carousel caption generator writes captions optimized for B2B engagement. For a full walkthrough, read our Instagram carousel posts guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a carousel post and why does it get more engagement?

A carousel post is a multi-slide format where users swipe through a series of images. Each swipe counts as an interaction, increasing algorithmic reach. They also keep users engaged longer, which signals value to the platform.

How many slides should a carousel have?

The optimal length is 7-10 slides. Five slides works for quick tips, 10 for educational content. Instagram allows up to 20, but engagement drops after 10.

What makes a good first slide?

Your first slide must stop the scroll with a bold headline, intriguing question, or surprising stat. Use large text, high contrast, and keep it under 8 words.

How do I structure content across slides?

Follow Hook-Value-CTA: Slide 1 hooks with a compelling headline. Middle slides each deliver one clear point. The final slide tells the viewer what to do next.

Can I use outlines for both Instagram and LinkedIn?

Yes. The structure is similar, but Instagram carousels are image-based while LinkedIn carousels are PDF documents. Adjust the visual style and tone for each platform.