How to get more views on Instagram carousels?

This article has been written by our Instagram expert who will tell you what are the most efficient strategies in your niche

What's the optimal posting time and frequency in 2025 to boost visibility for carousels?

The data consistently shows that 5 AM local time delivers the highest engagement rates for carousel posts, with Tuesday emerging as the strongest day of the week.

This timing works because your content appears fresh in users' feeds as they start their day, before the feed becomes saturated with competing content. Early morning posts have less competition and higher visibility in the algorithm's ranking system.

For frequency, the sweet spot is 3-5 carousel posts per week. This cadence allows you to maintain consistent presence without overwhelming your audience or diluting the quality of your content. Testing different days within this frequency range will help you identify your audience's specific engagement patterns.

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How do Instagram's current 2025 ranking signals prioritize carousel content compared to Reels and single-image posts?

Instagram's 2025 algorithm treats carousels as engagement powerhouses, weighing completion rates and dwell time heavily in the ranking formula.

While Reels still dominate for raw reach, carousels outperform both Reels and single-image posts for meaningful engagement metrics by 12% and over 100% respectively. The algorithm specifically rewards carousels that keep users swiping through all slides, interpreting this as high-value content.

The ranking hierarchy for carousels prioritizes shares as the top signal, followed by saves, then comments and likes. This shift reflects Instagram's focus on content that users find valuable enough to reference later or share with others.

Carousel completion rate has become a critical factor—posts where users swipe through at least 70% of slides receive significant algorithmic boosts. The platform also considers the time spent on each slide, rewarding content that maintains attention throughout the entire sequence.

What kind of hook should be used in the first slide to maximize swipe-through rates?

The first slide must create immediate curiosity while clearly indicating more valuable content awaits in subsequent slides.

Hook Type	Example Format	Why It Works
Curiosity Gap	"The #1 mistake 90% of creators make..."	Creates psychological tension requiring resolution
Number Promise	"5 secrets that changed everything ➡️"	Sets clear expectation of value delivery
Controversial Statement	"Stop doing this immediately"	Triggers engagement through surprise or disagreement
Personal Story Teaser	"How I went from 0 to 100K followers..."	Leverages relatability and outcome desire
Problem Identification	"If you're not getting saves, here's why"	Addresses specific pain points directly
Results Preview	"Swipe to see the before/after"	Visual proof creates irresistible pull
Exclusive Information	"Industry secret revealed on slide 3"	Makes users feel part of insider knowledge

Which content formats or topics tend to perform best on carousel posts based on recent engagement data?

Educational step-by-step tutorials consistently generate the highest engagement rates, followed closely by before/after transformations and storytelling sequences.

Tutorial carousels work because they provide actionable value that users want to save for future reference. The step-by-step format naturally encourages swiping behavior, which the algorithm interprets as high engagement.

Photo dumps have emerged as surprisingly effective, particularly when each image tells part of a larger story or showcases different aspects of a single experience. The key is curation—each slide must add value rather than just filling space.

Industry insights and behind-the-scenes content perform exceptionally well because they satisfy users' desire for exclusive or insider information. User-generated content compilations also drive high engagement, especially when they showcase real results or testimonials.

Not sure why your posts aren't converting? Let us take a look for you.

How many slides should a carousel ideally have to increase completion rate and watch time?

The optimal range is 7-10 slides, which maximizes both completion rates and total dwell time without causing audience fatigue.

While Instagram allows up to 20 slides, engagement typically drops significantly after the 10th slide unless the narrative is exceptionally compelling. The 7-10 range provides enough space to deliver substantial value while maintaining momentum throughout the sequence.

Shorter carousels (3-5 slides) can work for simple concepts but often don't generate enough dwell time to trigger strong algorithmic signals. Longer sequences (15+ slides) may achieve high dwell time but suffer from poor completion rates, which negatively impacts reach.

The key is matching slide count to content complexity—simple tips work well in 5-7 slides, while comprehensive tutorials or stories benefit from the full 8-10 slide range.

How important is the caption for a carousel, and what type of structure converts the most in terms of reach and saves?

Captions serve as the critical bridge between visual content and user action, directly influencing save rates and algorithmic distribution.

The most effective structure front-loads value in the first 125 characters, which appear before the "more" cutoff. This hook should summarize the carousel's main benefit or pose a compelling question that the slides will answer.

High-converting captions use strategic line breaks to improve readability, include relevant keywords for searchability, and end with clear calls-to-action. The middle section should provide context that complements rather than repeats the visual content.

Questions embedded throughout the caption significantly boost comment rates, while asking users to save or share directly correlates with increased engagement in those specific metrics. The most successful captions conclude with engagement-driving prompts like "Save this for later" or "Share with someone who needs this."

How should hashtags be used on carousels in 2025, and is there a proven number or type that drives more impressions?

The optimal hashtag strategy for carousels uses 4-11 highly relevant hashtags, with the sweet spot around 7-9 for most accounts.

Research shows that posts with 4 hashtags maintain high engagement rates, while those with 11+ can also perform well if every hashtag is precisely targeted. The key is relevance over quantity—Instagram's AI now heavily penalizes hashtag stuffing with irrelevant tags.

The most effective approach combines broad reach hashtags (100K-1M posts), niche-specific tags (10K-100K posts), and branded hashtags unique to your content. Placing hashtags at the end of captions maintains visual cleanliness while still providing categorization signals to the algorithm.

Trending hashtags should be used sparingly and only when genuinely relevant to your content. The algorithm now prioritizes hashtag authenticity over volume, making strategic selection crucial for discovery.

How do shares and saves influence the algorithm for carousels versus likes or comments today?

Shares have become the most powerful algorithmic signal for carousels, indicating content valuable enough to recommend to others.

Engagement Type	Algorithmic Weight	Why It Matters for Carousels
Shares	Highest priority signal	Indicates content worth recommending to others
Saves	Strong reach indicator	Shows users want to reference content later
Comments	Medium-high priority	Demonstrates active engagement and discussion
Likes	Medium priority	Basic engagement but less weight than before
Completion Rate	High for carousels specifically	Unique to carousels, shows content quality
Dwell Time	High across all formats	Longer viewing time on each slide matters
Profile Visits	High conversion signal	Shows content drives business objectives

What visual design principles (colors, fonts, structure) are trending and lead to higher carousel dwell time?

The 2025 design landscape favors bold, high-contrast visuals with playful elements that create visual interest without overwhelming the core message.

Sticker cutouts and digital stickers add personality while maintaining professionalism, especially when used consistently across slides. Bold outlines around key elements help information stand out on mobile screens, where most carousel consumption occurs.

Scrapbook and vintage effects—including ripped paper edges, Polaroid frames, and hand-drawn doodles—create authenticity that resonates with audiences seeking genuine content. Animated text or subtle icon movement adds dynamism without being distracting.

Typography trends emphasize large, readable fonts with titles at minimum 40px size. Handwritten fonts and curved text create approachability, while consistent color palettes across all slides improve brand recognition and professional appearance.

The 4:5 aspect ratio (1080x1350px) maximizes mobile screen real estate, allowing for larger text and clearer visual hierarchy. Screenshots maintain authenticity while providing social proof that audiences trust.

If you feel like your content isn't getting enough engagement, we can help improve that.

Are there specific CTA placements (first slide, last slide, or middle) that result in better conversion to profile visits?

The most effective CTA strategy uses micro-CTAs throughout the carousel with the primary conversion CTA on the final slide.

Early slides should include subtle prompts like "Swipe for more" or "Save this tip" to encourage completion, while middle slides can use engagement-focused CTAs like "Comment your thoughts" or "Tag someone who needs this."

The final slide delivers maximum impact for conversion-focused CTAs such as "Follow for more," "Visit profile for details," or "DM for personalized help." This placement leverages peak engagement when users have consumed your full value proposition.

Research shows that CTAs placed on the last slide generate 23% higher profile visit rates compared to first-slide placement, as users are more likely to take action after receiving value rather than before.

How does collaborating with other accounts affect reach on carousels, and what are the most effective types of collaborations?

Instagram's collaboration feature significantly amplifies carousel reach by exposing content to both audiences simultaneously, often resulting in 40-60% higher impression rates.

Co-created educational carousels perform exceptionally well, particularly when each collaborator contributes their expertise to different slides. This format provides diverse perspectives while maintaining cohesive value delivery.

User-generated content collaborations, where you feature customer results or testimonials across multiple slides, build trust while expanding reach to the featured users' networks. Joint storytelling carousels that showcase partnerships or shared experiences create authentic content that both audiences engage with enthusiastically.

Cross-promotional carousels work best when collaborators serve complementary rather than competing audiences. The key is ensuring genuine value exchange rather than simple account tagging.

What updates or changes are expected in 2026 that could shift the way carousels are ranked or discovered?

Instagram's 2026 roadmap prioritizes enhanced AI personalization, with carousels likely to be ranked more dynamically based on individual user interest signals and historical completion patterns.

Anticipated changes include deeper integration of AR elements within carousel slides, allowing for interactive product try-ons or immersive educational experiences. Music integration may expand beyond Reels to include carousel backgrounds, creating more engaging multi-sensory experiences.

The algorithm will likely place even greater emphasis on original, creative content, with AI systems becoming more sophisticated at detecting and rewarding authentic carousel creation over templated or recycled content.

Interactive elements such as polls, quizzes, or clickable hotspots within carousel slides are being tested, which would transform carousels from passive consumption to active engagement experiences. These features could significantly impact completion rates and dwell time calculations.

Don't know which format works best for your audience? We can help you test and optimize.

Conclusion

Sources

1. Shopify - Best Time to Post on Instagram
2. Later - Best Time to Post on Instagram
3. Cropink - Instagram Reels Statistics
4. Buffer - Instagram Algorithm Guide
5. UseVisuals - Instagram Carousel Best Practices
6. PostNitro - Boost Carousel Swipe-Through Rates
7. ContentStudio - Instagram Carousel Guide
8. Sprout Social - Instagram Trends
9. Snappa - Instagram Hashtags Guide
10. HauteStock - 2025 Instagram Design Trends

Who is the author of this content?

NAPOLIFY

A team specialized in data-driven growth strategies for social media

We offer data-driven, battle-tested approach to growing online profiles, especially on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Unlike traditional agencies or consultants who often recycle generic advice, we go on the field and we keep analyzing real-world social content—breaking down hundreds of viral posts to identify what formats, hooks, and strategies actually drive engagement, conversions, and growth. If you'd like to learn more about us, you can check our website.

How this content was created 🔎📝

At Napolify, we analyze social media trends and viral content every day. Our team doesn't just observe from a distance—we're actively studying platform-specific patterns, breaking down viral posts, and maintaining a constantly updated database of trends, tactics, and strategies. This hands-on approach allows us to understand what actually drives engagement and growth.

These observations are originally based on what we've learned through analyzing hundreds of viral posts and real-world performance data. But it was not enough. To back them up, we also needed to rely on trusted resources and case studies from major brands.

We prioritize accuracy and authority. Trends lacking solid data or performance metrics were excluded.

Trustworthiness is central to our work. Every source and citation is clearly listed, ensuring transparency. A writing AI-powered tool was used solely to refine readability and engagement.

To make the information accessible, our team designed custom infographics that clarify key points. We hope you will like them! All illustrations and media were created in-house and added manually.