Carousel or Reels: which format delivers better results on Instagram today?

If you're trying to grow your Instagram presence in 2024, you've probably already found yourself wondering: should I invest in carousels or go for reels? The question isn't simple, and the answer might surprise you. Let's delve deep into this and discover which format truly delivers the best results today.

Instagram has changed a lot in recent years, and understanding these changes is crucial for anyone who wants to stand out on the platform. The algorithm is constantly evolving, and what worked six months ago may no longer work now. Therefore, we will analyze the two formats based on current data and real trends.

Before making any decision, you need to understand that There is no single answer. For all profiles. The ideal format depends on your niche, your audience, and your goals. But don't worry, we'll help you discover which one is best for you!

What are carousels and why do they still matter?

Carousels are posts with multiple images or videos that you swipe through. They've been on Instagram since 2017 and remain a powerful engagement tool. Many people think this format is outdated, but the numbers show otherwise.

The great advantage of carousels is that storytelling ability In a more comprehensive way. You can break a tutorial down into several steps, show before and after, or create educational content in an organized manner. This keeps people scrolling and interacting with your post for longer.

Another interesting thing about carousels is that Instagram's algorithm tends to show them again to people who haven't seen all the images. This means your content can appear twice in the same person's feed, increasing your chances of engagement.

Reels: Instagram's current darling

Reels arrived in 2020 as Instagram's answer to TikTok and quickly became the platform's favorite format. Instagram makes it clear that it is prioritizing short videos, and this is reflected in the reach that Reels are able to achieve.

The main characteristic of Reels is... potential for virality. While carousels generally reach mainly your followers, Reels are much more likely to appear to people who are not yet familiar with your profile. This happens through the Reels tab and the Explore page.

Reels can be up to 90 seconds long, but the best-performing ones are usually between 7 and 15 seconds. They are dynamic, grab attention quickly, and are perfect for an audience that consumes content quickly and consistently.

Comparing the numbers: reach and engagement

Let's talk about concrete data. On average, Reels achieve a reach of 20% to 30% larger than carousels. This means that if you have 10,000 followers, a Reel can easily reach 3,000 people, while a carousel can reach 2,000.

But reach isn't everything. When it comes to deep engagement – meaningful comments, saves, and direct shares – carousels tend to perform better. People tend to save more educational or informative carousels to refer to later.

The save rate is especially important because it indicates that your content has lasting value. Instagram interprets this as a sign of quality and may boost your content even further. Well-made Carousels can have save rates up to 40% higher than Reels.

Advantages of carousels

• Greater depth of content: You can develop complex ideas in a visual and organized way.
• Best for educational content: Tutorials, tips, and guides work exceptionally well in this format.
• More rescues: People save carousels to consult later, which improves their ranking in the algorithm.
• Less editing work: No video editing, transitions, or synchronized audio are needed.
• It appears twice in the feed: Instagram can show the images again for those who haven't seen all of them.
• Best for products: Ideal for showcasing multiple angles or variations of a product.
• Longer lifespan: It continues to generate engagement for several days after publication.

Advantages of Reels

• Exponential reach: Much greater potential to appear to non-followers.
• Follower growth: Best format for attracting new followers quickly.
• Algorithm priority: Instagram clearly favors this format.
• Immediate engagement: It generates likes and views very quickly.
• Emotional connection: Videos create a stronger connection with the audience.
• Trends and audio: You can ride viral trends and increase your reach.
• Entertainment: Perfect format for fun and lighthearted content.

Disadvantages you need to know

Weak points of carousels

Although carousels are great, they have their limitations. organic reach It's definitely smaller compared to Reels. If your main goal is to quickly grow your follower count, carousels alone may not be enough.

Another drawback is that many people simply don't swipe to see all the images. You can create an amazing carousel with 10 slides, but most people will only see the first 2 or 3. This means you need to capture attention right from the first slide.

Carousels also require an attractive visual design. If you don't have design skills or access to tools like Canva, it can be more difficult to create content that stands out. The competition is fierce, and poorly made carousels simply don't perform.

Weak points of Reels

Reels require significantly more production work. You need to think about lighting, audio, editing, transitions, and pacing. This can be intimidating for beginners or those without video experience.

Another problem is that the Engagement can be superficial.. Many views don't necessarily translate into engaged followers or sales. People might watch your Reel, give it a quick like, and move on without truly connecting with your brand.

Reels also have a shorter lifespan. While a carousel can continue generating engagement for weeks, a Reel typically peaks in the first 24 hours and then quickly loses momentum. This means you need to post more frequently to maintain relevance.

What works best for each type of content?

To educational content and tutorials, Carousels are still unbeatable. If you want to teach something step-by-step, demonstrate a process, or share detailed information, a carousel is your best choice. People can go at their own pace, go back to review steps, and save it for later reference.

Already for entertainment, behind-the-scenes footage, and personality content, However, Reels are much more effective. They allow you to showcase your energy, charisma, and authenticity in a way that still images can't. If you want to create an emotional connection, go for Reels.

To product launches, The combination of both formats is ideal. Use Reels to generate buzz and initial reach, and carousels to detail features, benefits, and showcase the product from different angles. This hybrid strategy usually yields the best results.

The hybrid strategy: the best of both worlds.

Here's the truth few people tell you: you don't have to choose between one or the other. The smartest strategy in 2024 is to use... both formats in a strategic way. Each one has their role in your content strategy.

A good ratio for most niches is 60% Reels and 40% Carousels. Reels will bring in new followers and keep your reach high, while carousels will nurture your audience with valuable content and increase qualified engagement.

You can also reuse content across formats. That educational carousel can become a quick Reel highlighting the main points. And that viral Reel can be transformed into a more detailed carousel for those who want to delve deeper into the topic.

How your niche influences the choice

If you work with fitness, cooking or beauty, Reels are practically mandatory. These niches are extremely visual and dynamic, and the audience expects to see movement, transformations, and processes in action. A workout or a recipe becomes much more appealing in video.

For niches of education, finance, personal development In any area involving dense information, carousels perform excellently. People in these niches are looking to learn and prefer content they can consume at their own pace.

Already for fashion, travel and lifestyle, A balanced mix works best. Reels to showcase looks in motion, landscapes and experiences, and carousels for compilations, destination guides or outfit combinations.

Practical tips for maximizing results with carousels.

The first slide is absolutely critical. It needs to stop scrolling and make the person want to see more. Use large text, contrasting colors, and a clear promise of what's to come. Think of the first slide as the cover of a book – it needs to sell the content.

Keep a consistent visual identity Consistently use the same fonts, color palette, and design style across all your carousels. This creates brand recognition and professionalism. When someone sees your carousel in their feed, they should immediately recognize it as yours.

Don't overdo it with the number of slides. Between 5 and 8 slides is ideal. More than that and you risk losing people's attention. Each slide should add real value – if it doesn't, cut it without hesitation.

Practical tips to maximize results with Reels.

The first 3 seconds of your reel are crucial. You need a strong hook Something that prevents the person from scrolling. It could be an intriguing question, a controversial statement, or a promise of value. Don't waste time with long introductions.

Use trending audio. Reels that use music or sounds that are currently popular have a much higher chance of going viral. Keep an eye on the Reels tab and see which audios are being used most in your niche.

Add captions to your Reels. Most people watch with the sound off, especially when in public or at work. Captions ensure your message is understood even without audio, and also increase viewing time.

What the latest data shows

Studies from 2024 show that profiles using both formats are growing. 3 times faster than those who focus on just one. This reinforces the importance of the hybrid strategy we mentioned earlier.

Interestingly, carousels with storytelling elements have higher 50% sharing rates than purely informational carousels. People love stories, so even in static formats, telling a narrative makes all the difference.

Regarding Reels, those that show the creator's face consistently perform better than those without a human presence. This is true even for niche products – showing a person using or presenting the product significantly increases engagement.

Testing and analyzing your results

The only way to know for sure what works best for you is test and analyze. Publish both formats for at least 30 days and compare the results. Look at reach, engagement, saves, and especially conversions.

Use Instagram Insights metrics to understand your audience's behavior. See when they are most active, what type of content generates the most saves, and which format brings in the most new followers. This data is pure gold for your strategy.

Don't be afraid to pivot. If you started by focusing on carousels and aren't seeing results, try increasing the frequency of Reels. Instagram is always changing, and your strategy needs to be flexible enough to adapt.

Conclusion: which one to choose after all?

If you want rapid growth and maximum reach, the Reels are your best bet. Right now, Instagram is clearly prioritizing this format, and ignoring it means leaving a lot of reach on the table. For those who are starting out or want to gain visibility, Reels should be a priority.

On the other hand, if you already have an established audience and want to nurture it with valuable content, build authority, and generate real conversions, then... carousels are extremely powerful. They create deeper and more lasting engagement.

But the most honest and effective answer is: use both. Each format has its place in a successful Instagram strategy. Reels bring people to you, and carousels make them stay and truly engage. Combine the two and you'll have a much stronger and more complete Instagram presence.