Carousels consistently outperform other formats by driving engagement and encouraging deeper interaction. At Serotonin, we leverage their power to deliver clear, strategic messaging that converts.
May 23, 2025
Studio
Trends shift, formats evolve, and the Instagram algorithm keeps everyone on their toes.
But when it comes to consistent performance, carousels remain one of the most effective tools in social media.
Instagram carousels give you more than one shot at capturing attention.
You get multiple slides to tell a story, build a message, and drive an action. That alone sets them apart. But what really matters is how they perform, and they deliver.
Carousels keep users engaged for longer, increasing time spent on your post. And the numbers don’t lie… carousels drive an average engagement rate of 1.92%, outperforming both single image posts (1.74%) and videos (1.45%).
More slides. More impact. Better results. More time equals stronger signals to the algorithm. That means better reach and higher visibility.
In short, they work harder for your content.
Instagram’s algorithm loves content that gets people to pause, swipe, engage, and come back. And guess what? Carousels tick all those boxes.
Even Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, has acknowledged the ongoing power of carousels. He’s said that “people tend to like them,” and the platform often resurfaces carousel posts to give them a second chance in the feed.
In a world where most content disappears in moments, that’s a performance advantage.
Carousels aren’t just a format, they’re a storytelling tool. Where a reel captures attention quickly, a carousel holds it. That makes them perfect for:
The key is clarity. Each slide should build on the last, with a strong hook up front and a clear payoff at the end. When done right, carousels can boost your brand’s authority and keep users tapping through to the end and more importantly, to your call to action.
Let’s be real, just posting a carousel doesn’t guarantee performance. The creative and copy need to work together. We’re talking bold headlines, scroll-stopping visuals, and a clear narrative thread.
And don’t forget your CTA. Whether it’s “Swipe to learn more” or “Save this for later,” directing your audience is part of what makes this format convert.
It’s not either/or. The strongest social strategies use both, but for very different reasons. Reels are great for visibility and discovery. Carousels are your secret weapon for depth, storytelling, and converting interest into action.
For brands focused on real outcomes, not just views, carousels deserve a permanent place in your social media strategy.
At Serotonin, we build social strategies that deliver. From paid to organic, we know how to craft carousel content that cuts through and converts.
If you are wanting to boost your social performance, Get in touch with us and we can talk about performance.
