Are Reels Still the Way to Grow as a Brand?

Let’s be honest—Reels still matter. They’ve been the go-to for reach and visibility, and they’re not going anywhere.

But here’s what might surprise you: carousel posts are making a major comeback—and right now, they’re driving more views than videos for a lot of creators and brands. Not only are they getting strong engagement, but they’re also being pushed out to non-followers, making them a powerful tool for growth.

Between that and features like Trial Reels (which are quietly helping content reach new audiences), we’re seeing a shift: Instagram is giving us more than one way to grow again.

So what does this mean for your content strategy—and what should you be posting right now to boost engagement?

Let’s dive into it.

Pro Tip for Carousel Posts:

Take a high-performing video and turn it into a carousel post—then make sure the first slide has a hook that makes people want to swipe.

Carousels are getting pushed out to non-followers right now, which makes them a huge opportunity for growth. It’s the perfect way to repurpose content you already know works by breaking it down into swipeable tips, moments, or a mini story. Just remember: that first slide needs to grab attention. That’s what gets people to stop and engage.

Don’t forget to add music—this helps push your carousel to the Reels feed, giving it even more reach.

Carousel Post Ideas That Drive Growth

Here are 4 carousel post ideas you can try this week:

• Recap your week or a Special Event
  A “Week in the Life” or “This Week at [Brand]” is an easy, low-pressure way to share behind-the-scenes moments or product usage. If you already filmed a recap video—just turn those clips into stills or graphics and make it a scrollable story

• Make a mini storytelling series
  Use carousels to build curiosity and take people through a mini journey—whether it’s a customer transformation, a founder moment, or a product launch story. Start with a hook, build tension, and end with a takeaway or CTA.

• Do a side-by-side breakdown or visual comparison
  Before & afters, ingredient highlights, flavour comparisons—anything visual performs well when broken into a carousel. Make it easy for someone to swipe and say, “Wait—I get it now.”

• Showcase product comparisons or how-tos
  Before and after, flavour comparisons, ingredient spotlights—anything that’s visual and educational is perfect for carousels. These formats get saves, shares, and comments.

Actionable Insight:

Choose a story you want to tell right now—whether it’s a product launch, a behind-the-scenes moment, or something personal from your founder journey. Then challenge yourself to share it as a carousel post this week.

Carousels are a powerful way to bring your audience deeper into your world—and right now, Instagram is rewarding that effort. Try creating at least two carousel posts this week (even if they’re repurposed from video content) and compare how they perform next to your Reels.

You might be surprised by what starts to pick up traction.