If you’ve been on Instagram lately, you’ve probably noticed something:
carousels are making a comeback.
They’re everywhere—and unlike the quote dumps of 2021, these new carousels are actually getting views, saves, and shares.
The catch? Most people have no idea why they work or how to make them.
So today, we’re breaking down five carousel formats that are dominating feeds right now — and exactly how you can steal them for your next post.
Think of this one like a flipbook.
Each swipe shows a tiny change — a coffee cup filling, a design coming to life, or a product slowly revealing itself.
It feels like movement, even though it’s made from stills. That pattern interrupt keeps people swiping because they want to see the final frame.
Why it works:
It breaks the static scroll pattern
It creates curiosity — you have to keep sliding
It’s surprisingly easy to make with simple animation or Canva frame exports
Pro tip: Add a “Hold and Swipe 
” text cue to make the effect obvious.
Classic, timeless, always a hit.
The structure:
Title slide: Number + Promise
(e.g. “5 AI Tools That Saved Me 10 Hours This Week”)
Body slides: Each one delivers a bite-sized takeaway
Final slide: CTA (“Save for later” / “Try one this week”)
Why it works:
Humans love numbered lists. They promise structure and value in a predictable format.
You can use it for tips, myths, lessons, or mistakes — anything that can be broken down into pieces.
This one’s a storytelling machine.
Each carousel follows this three-step flow:
Problem: Name what people are struggling with.
Insight: Reframe it or share the truth behind it.
Execution: Show exactly how to fix it.
The hook formula:
“Don’t know how to X? You just don’t know how Y. Here’s how to Z.”
Example:
“Can’t grow on Instagram? You just don’t know how to test hooks. Use these 3 templates.”
Why it works:
It teaches and reframes at the same time — instant authority.
Perfect for lifestyle or product creators.
You start with what you bought — groceries, gear, tools —
and then each slide shows how you used it.
Meal prep, room makeovers, product use cases, you name it.
Why it works:
It transforms basic consumption into creative storytelling.
People love before-and-after journeys — and this format gives them one with each swipe.
One of the easiest ways to show personality and build trust.
Just share what you’re:
Reading 📚
Watching 🎥
Listening to 🎧
Add a quick takeaway under each one — why it’s worth checking out — and link or tag where possible.
Why it works:
This type of post feels human, relatable, and valuable all at once.
It’s like a curated recommendations list from a trusted friend.
Bonus Tip: Optimize Your Carousel for Reach
Add trending audio that fits the vibe of your carousel.
→ Instagram now pushes more carousels that use audio in the Reels tab, so this simple step can boost your organic reach.
Don’t sleep on your second slide.
→ If a user doesn’t engage with the first slide, Instagram often shows them the second later. That means your second frame needs to be just as strong as your opener — treat it like a second hook.
We help brands create SICK
content on social media