Instagram is advancing its platform by allowing users to share up to 20 photos or videos in a single feed carousel, doubling down on the popular “photo dump” trend. In 2017, Instagram introduced the feature to create carousel posts with up to 10 items, but the latest update offers the opportunity for even richer storytelling by doubling content capacity.
Gone are the days when Instagram was solely about curating the perfect image to present to the world. Now, the trend of photo dumps has taken center stage, with users preferring to share collections of images and videos that offer a more authentic glimpse into their lives. This more casual approach to posting reflects a shift from the meticulous curation of the perfect feed to a more relaxed and genuine sharing experience.
The expansion of carousel posts comes just in time for users to share an array of moments from their summer activities, similar to how people used to share entire photo albums on Facebook during its prime. The update indicates a shift in Instagram’s functionality, making it more competitive and reminiscent of TikTok’s carousel feature, which already allows up to 35 items in a single post.
While the update is exciting for those looking to share more content at once, some Instagram users may find the increased volume overwhelming. The app, once celebrated for its simplicity, is now filled with a variety of formats such as reels, stories, and notes, potentially making a 20-slide carousel post less appealing to those who favor a straightforward experience.
The expanded carousel limit isn’t entirely unexpected, as clues of Instagram testing this feature surfaced as early as March.
This update coincides with Instagram’s recent changes to its metrics system, where “Views” will become the primary statistic for evaluating content performance across all formats, including reels, live videos, photos, carousels, and stories. This uniform metric will offer creators a streamlined approach to measuring their content’s impact.
Instagram’s commitment to adapt its platform to user trends and behavior, such as the growing appeal of photo dumps, signifies an important evolution for the social media giant as it seeks to meet the diverse needs and preferences of its global community.
