How to Create Video Carousel on Instagram (and Why It Might Be Your Next Viral Post)

Why Instagram Carousels Might Be Your Secret to Going Viral

If you’re still relying only on Reels for reach, it’s time to experiment with something that’s quietly outperforming videos: carousel posts.

At Marlo Studios, our carousel posts consistently receive higher impressions, views, and engagement compared to our Reels. One of our most viral carousels, “POV: you open Illustrator on my laptop”, reached nearly 500K views, while some of our Reels struggle to hit 10K.

So, what makes carousel collages so powerful and how can you use them to boost engagement and storytelling on Instagram?

What the Data Says: Carousels Drive More Engagement

According to Buffer’s 2022 study on Instagram carousels, carousel posts outperform static and video content in several key areas:

• 2.37% higher engagement rate than other post types
• 2x more saves compared to single-image or video posts
• Carousel posts often perform better if they appear consistently and are published at the right time

Although carousels might receive fewer likes or comments on average, their engagement rate (which accounts for impressions) tells a clearer story; once your audience sees your carousel, they’re more likely to interact with it.

That means carousels can quietly become your most powerful format for reach, saves and storytelling, especially if you use video.

Why Video Carousels Work So Well

Think of carousels as the perfect middle ground between a static post and a video.

A photo carousel is good for tips, design showcases or client stories. But a video carousel collage feels cinematic. It lets people move through your story at their own pace, revisit it and save it for inspiration.

How to Create Video Carousel Collages on Instagram

Here’s how we approach it at Marlo Studios 👇

1. Storytelling First

Every great carousel tells a story.

When we launched our “Made by Marlo” series, we initially focused on static branding posts but the engagement plateaued. Switching to carousel storytelling allowed our audience to slow down, swipe and connect with our creative process.

💡 Pro tip: Use the first slide as a hook (something relatable, emotional or visually striking). The last slide should invite a save, share or comment.

2. Try a Video Carousel Format

Recently, we created a “Week in Our Life” carousel — a split-screen layout showcasing Marlo Studios on one side and Marlo’s Matcha on the other. The result?

More interaction, longer watch time and better saves than any static post. A video carousel is more immersive. It’s dynamic enough to keep users swiping but personal enough to feel real.

🎥 How to create it:

• Combine short vertical clips (2–3 seconds each) into a single carousel post
• Keep consistent color grading or typography for brand cohesion
• Add captions or text overlays for storytelling
• Save each frame as a separate video file and upload as a multi-slide carousel

Carousel Content Ideas for Creatives

If you’re a designer, content creator or small business owner, try these carousel formats:

• “POV:” style storytelling (relatable moments that invite comments)
• “A week in the life”: style storytelling (relatable moments that invite comments)
• “Process posts”: show how your design, packaging, or product comes together
• “Mini brand story collages”: snippets of design + product + behind-the-scenes

The Takeaway: Carousels Are Built for Connection

Video carousels give your audience something rare: time — to pause, swipe, and connect at their own pace. If you haven’t created one yet, this is your sign to try it.