As platforms grow and expand, so do their service offerings and purpose.
On Instagram, we’re seeing this growth consistently, especially with the introduction of reels to compete with TikTok. This is why it’s important to know what option is best. Between carousels, reels and stories, the purpose and effectiveness differ. Each format has its own strengths, so be sure you’re picking the correct format for the right purpose. Here is a quick guide on what you need to know to get the most out of Instagram:
Carousels
A carousel can have up to 10 slides and are best for a deep dive into a particular topic, story, or to convey a longer message. It’s a place to give out tips, advice, and share some great imagery. As carousels offer a more interactive option by sliding through the imagery, users can spend more time looking at them than a typical single post. This can encourage engagement in your posts as users will find your content valuable and visit your profile for more.
Reels
Relative to other items on this list, reels are still relatively new to Instagram, which is why they have the opportunity to reach more users than static content. Instagram has made a push towards video content to beat TikTok as the place to be for short relevant video content. Ensure your content is relatable to your offering so you’re attracting the right audience.Stories
Stories are a way to keep your page active even if you’re not posting as often. If you’re active on stories, once you do create a post, the Instagram algorithm will push your post higher on your follower’s feeds. They are a good way to showcase the BTS behind your brand, you can showcase more about your business, your staff and your day-to-day process.
Highlights
These should be added to highlight your brand, your offering and social proof consistently. For new visitors to your page, highlights ensure they can visit your old stories and this might be the difference that gains you a new follower.