How to Make a Swipe Post on TikTok

TikTok’s photo swipe posts are one of the most effective and underrated ways to tell a story on the platform, and they’re surprisingly simple to create. This guide will walk you through exactly how to make your own swipe post (officially called Photo Mode), share creative ideas to get you started, and give you some pro tips to help your content connect with a wider audience.

What Exactly Is a TikTok Swipe Post?

You’ve probably seen them on your For You Page: a post that looks like a video at first, but prompts you to swipe through a series of still images at your own pace. That’s a TikTok swipe post, or Photo Mode carousel. It plays a series of high-quality photos one after the other, set to music, while viewers can swipe left to move through the images or let them auto-advance.

Unlike a video that stitches photos together into a fixed slideshow, a swipe post hands control over to the viewer. This small difference is incredibly powerful. Because users control the pace, they tend to spend more time on the post, which signals to the TikTok algorithm that your content is engaging. It’s an amazing format for tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, product showcases, and compelling storytelling.

Why Should You Use Photo Mode?

If you're still on the fence, here’s why swipe posts deserve a spot in your content strategy:

• Increased Engagement: When viewers actively swipe through your content, they’re more invested. This longer dwell time and active interaction can significantly boost your post's performance and reach.
• Perfect for Detail-Driven Content: Video moves fast. Photo mode lets you break down complex information into digestible steps. It's ideal for sharing recipes, step-by-step instructions, workout routines, or detailed product features. Viewers can swipe at their own speed, absorbing each detail without feeling rushed.
• Epic Storytelling: Photo carousels are a brilliant medium for telling a story with a beginning, middle, and end. You can build suspense, share a personal journey, or give a day-in-the-life tour that feels more intimate and personal than a fast-paced video.
• Easier to Create: Let’s be honest - not everyone has the time or energy to film and edit a video every day. Creating a swipe post with photos you already have is a much lower lift. It’s a fantastic way to stay consistent and repurpose content from your camera roll into something new and engaging.

How to Make a Swipe Post on TikTok: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to make your first photo carousel? The process is straightforward and only takes a few minutes once you have your photos selected. Follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Open TikTok and Go to the Create Screen

Just like you would for any other post, open the TikTok app and tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom center of the screen to open the camera.

Step 2: Choose Your Photos

In the bottom right corner of the camera screen, tap the "Upload" button. This will take you to your phone’s camera roll. From here, you can select the still images you want to feature in your swipe post. You can choose as many as you like, though 5-15 images are usually a good sweet spot to keep viewers engaged without overwhelming them.

Step 3: Switch to "Photo Mode"

This is the most important step! After selecting your photos, you’ll see two options at the bottom of the screen: "Video mode" and "Photo mode." TikTok automatically defaults to "Video mode," which will turn your photos into a fast-paced video slideshow. To create a swipeable carousel, you need to tap on "Photo mode."

You’ll know you’ve done it right when you see the photos presented individually in the editor, rather than as clips on a video timeline.

Step 4: Edit and Arrange Your Photos

Now it’s time to perfect your carousel. In photo mode, you can:

• Reorder your images: Tap and hold a photo to drag it into the correct position. Make sure your photos tell a logical and compelling story from start to finish.
• Crop or rotate photos: TikTok's default format is vertical (9:16 aspect ratio). If any of your photos are horizontal, you can tap the crop icon to reframe them to better fit the screen.
• Add text overlays: Tap the "Aa" text icon to add captions or commentary to each slide. You can change fonts, colors, and place the text anywhere on the screen. This is fantastic for adding context or instructions.

Step 5: Pick the Perfect Sound

Music is the soul of a good swipe post. Tap "Add sound" at the top of the screen to choose a song or trending audio clip. The music helps set the mood and pacing of the autoscrolling images. A trending sound can also give your post an algorithmic boost. Choose something that complements the story you’re telling with your photos.

Step 6: Write Your Caption and Add Hashtags

Once you’re happy with your photos and music, tap "Next." Now you're on the final posting screen. Here you'll write an engaging caption, add relevant hashtags to help people discover your post, and tag any accounts if needed.

Your caption should add a bit more context and encourage people to look at the photos. A simple call to action like "Swipe to see the final result!" or a question like "Which of these is your favorite?" can increase engagement.

Step 7: Post It!

The last step is to hit the "Post" button and share your creation with the world. Congratulations, you’ve just made your first TikTok swipe post!

Creative Ideas for Your Next Swipe Post

Knowing how to make a swipe post is one thing, knowing what to post is another. Here are some proven ideas that work incredibly well in the photo carousel format:

1. Step-by-Step Tutorials

Break down a process into simple visual steps. Each photo acts as a new stage, making it easy for viewers to follow along.

• Recipes: 1. Ingredients, 2. Mix dry ingredients, 3. Add wet ingredients, 4. Final product.
• DIY Projects: Show the materials, the process, and the finished item.
• Beauty Routines: Share your morning skincare steps or a specific makeup look.

2. Tell a Story

Use text overlays on each photo to narrate a story. This can be personal, funny, or inspirational.

• "A day in my life": Walk your followers through your daily routine, from your morning coffee to your evening wind-down.
• GRWM ("Get Ready With Me"): Show your outfit, makeup, and accessories for a specific event.
• Transformations: Before-and-after photos of a home renovation, a fitness journey, or a creative project.

3. Listicles and Recommendations

People love lists. They’re scannable, informative, and deliver value quickly.

• Top 5s: "My top 5 favorite books of the year," "5 underrated coffee shops in my city," "5 apps I can't live without."
• Roundups: Showcase a collection of things, like "My favorite outfits from this week" or "A photo dump from my vacation."

4. Product Showcases for Brands

If you run a business, swipe posts are a fantastic way to showcase your products without being overly "salesy."

• Product details: Use each slide to highlight a different feature of a product.
• Lifestyle shots: Show your product being used by different people in different settings.
• Behind the scenes: Tell the story of how your product is made.

Tips for making your swipe posts stand out

You've got the how-to and the ideas. Now, let’s talk about optimization. A few small tweaks can make a big difference in how many people see and engage with your content.

• Design an Unskippable First Photo: The first image is your hook. It needs to grab attention immediately and make someone curious enough to swipe. Use bold text, a compelling question, or a visually stunning photo.
• Create Suspense and Payoff: Give people a reason to swipe to the last photo. You can build a narrative that resolves at the end or use text like "The last photo will surprise you!" to pique their curiosity.
• Optimize Your Photo Quality: Use clear, bright, high-resolution photos. Dark or blurry images will cause people to swipe away. Make sure your visuals are up to par.
• Maintain a Cohesive Visual Style: Your swipe post will look more polished and professional if the photos have a consistent vibe. Try using the same filter or color-correcting them so they look like they belong together.
• Mind the Text: Make your text overlays short, punchy, and easy to read. Place them strategically so they are not covered by TikTok’s on-screen interface elements like your username or the caption.

Final Thoughts

TikTok’s photo mode is a flexible and engaging format that lets you tell deeper stories and share valuable information in a way that feels organic to the platform. By following these steps and getting creative with your content, you can create compelling swipe posts that stop the scroll and keep your audience captivated.

Planning this kind of detailed content is often the most time-consuming part of social media. At Postbase, we designed our visual calendar so you can see your entire strategy - from swipe posts to Reels to Shorts - all in one clean view. By scheduling your content in advance, you can ensure a consistent presence across platforms, letting you focus more on the creative process. With stable connections and reliable publishing, Postbase gives you the peace of mind that a well-planned post will go live exactly when it's supposed to.