From more space to fill with creative to new ways to measure success, Code3 Creative Strategists are jumping for joy and excited to dive into these new updates. What does it mean for brands? We’re sharing how you can harness these changes to supercharge your Instagram strategy.
Expanded Carousels
Instagram has doubled down on carousels, increasing the limit to 20 photos or videos per post. That’s right, cue the applause: you’re no longer limited to just 10 pieces of content in a single post. Social media managers everywhere just shouted gleefully.
Why is this a big deal? Think of carousels as your digital canvas. With 20 slots to fill, brands have more space than ever to craft immersive stories, showcase product features, or create step-by-step tutorials that keep audiences swiping. Brands can now build deeper narratives in a single post: imagine launching a new collection with a carousel that’s almost a mini-lookbook, or taking your followers on a visual journey through a day in your life.
Creative Tip: Use this extra space to experiment with interactive storytelling - no video budget required. Why? Because nothing hooks audiences like a good story. Kick things off with a question or a juicy cliffhanger in the first slide, then keep them swiping as you tease out the answer by the last. It’s like a mini-mystery they just have to solve! Plus, it’s a super cost-effective way to keep your followers engaged and coming back for more, all while showing off your creative chops.
Views Take the Spotlight
Instagram is shifting gears, making “views” the primary metric across all content formats, from Reels to Stories to photos… and Code3 Creative Strategists are buzzing with excitement. It’s like we’re getting a VIP pass to see how audiences are truly loving the content we’re putting out. We’ll have a clearer picture on what’s capturing attention, whether it’s a quick scroll through a Reel or multiple replays of a story.
Views are more than just a number—they’re a pulse check on your content’s impact. Unlike reach, which tells you how many unique eyeballs saw your post, views can track multiple engagements from the same person. It’s like watching a movie you love over and over—each view deepens your connection with the content. For creators, this exciting change means a more nuanced understanding of how your audience interacts with what you share. And let’s not forget the power of “sends per reach,” a metric that tells you how many people couldn’t resist sharing your content in a DM.
A New Grid Format
Picture this - you’ve spent years perfecting your Instagram aesthetic, carefully curating each square to create a cohesive, visually stunning profile. Now, Instagram is testing a new rectangular grid layout. At first, you might panic - Coders may or may not have. What about our…I mean…your perfect squares? But then, we saw the possibilities, and are sharing why this change could be great.
This new grid format is a challenge to think differently about how content is presented and an opportunity to play with new visual dynamics. Plus, brands that get a jump on the new grid format have the chance to experiment with layouts that could set you apart.
Carousel Reels
TikTok has captivated millions with its swipeable, multi-part content, and now Instagram is stepping up to the plate with carousel Reels. Think of this as the perfect fusion of TikTok’s addictive swiping and Instagram’s polished aesthetic.
Carousel Reels allow you to pack more punch into your Reels by letting users swipe through multiple clips within a single post. It’s an interactive experience that invites your audience to engage more deeply, whether you’re breaking down a tutorial into easy steps or simply sharing a series of moments that are better together. This feature is your ticket to creating Reels that are not just watched, but experienced.
Creative Tip: Use carousel Reels to tell multi-part stories or showcase different angles of a single event. This format is perfect for creating a sense of anticipation and discovery, as viewers swipe to see what happens next.
As your agency BFF, we’ve got your back, and we’re not about to let you navigate these Instagram updates alone. That’s why we’ve put together this cheat sheet to keep you in the loop and help you make the most of all the shiny new tools Instagram is rolling out. View or download here.
