Why Instagram carousels sometimes start on the second slide
Do you ever wonder why, when you're scrolling through Instagram, the second photo of a carousel pops up first?
According to Instagram head Adam Mosseri, that's often because you might have seen that carousel already but didn't swipe — so you're getting a second chance.
"If someone sees your carousel post but they don’t swipe, we’ll often give that carousel a second chance and automatically move to that second piece of media for the viewer," Mosseri said in an Instagram Reel.
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He added that carousels "often get more reach than photos" in part because of this second chance posting, but also because "multiple pieces of media are going to mean more interactions with your carousel posts, and more interactions is going to mean more reach on average."
Beyond posting a carousel, Mosseri also said you might want to "add music" to the post if you're trying to increase reach.
"I highly advise you to add music so it's eligible to show up in video experiences, like the Reels tab," Mosseri said. "Now, don't feel like you have to force it, but if you're on the fence and you can go either way, choosing a carousel over a photo will often help you get more reach."
Happy posting!
Topics Instagram
Christianna Silva is a senior culture reporter covering social platforms and the creator economy, with a focus on the intersection of social media, politics, and the economic systems that govern us. Since joining Mashable in 2021, they have reported extensively on meme creators, content moderation, and the nature of online creation under capitalism.
Before joining Mashable, they worked as an editor at NPR and MTV News, a reporter at Teen Vogue and VICE News, and as a stablehand at a mini-horse farm. You can follow her on Bluesky @christiannaj.bsky.social and Instagram @christianna_j.
