How to Make a Swipe Video on TikTok

You’ve seen them all over your For You page - the stylish and seamless photo carousels that feel more like an interactive story than a video. These swipe videos are one of TikTok's most engaging formats, and they're easier to create than you think. This guide will walk you through exactly how to make them, covering everything from the basic steps to creative strategies that will stop scrollers in their tracks.

What is a TikTok Swipe Video (and Why Should You Care)?

First, a little clarification: a "swipe video" isn't a video at all. It’s a series of photos posted using TikTok’s "Photo Mode," which creates an interactive carousel that users can swipe through at their own pace. Instead of a video that plays automatically, this format puts the viewer in control, encouraging them to slow down and actively engage with your content.

But why should you add this format to your content mix? The benefits are surprisingly powerful.

• Boosts Dwell Time: When a user stops to manually swipe through 10 photos, they're spending significantly more time on your post than they would on a 7-second video. This increased "dwell time" is a huge positive signal to the TikTok algorithm, telling it your content is valuable and worth showing to more people, which can help increase engagement on TikTok.
• Amazing for Storytelling: Photo carousels are perfect for telling a sequential story. Whether you're sharing a before-and-after transformation, a step-by-step tutorial, or a personal journey, each swipe can reveal the next chapter.
• Encourages Higher Engagement: Because users can revisit specific slides, swipe videos are highly saveable. People will bookmark tutorials, outfit ideas, or product roundups to come back to later. Plus, they invite comments like, "Photo #4 is my favorite!" or "Where did you get the item in the third picture?"
• It's a Pattern Interrupt: On a feed filled with auto-playing videos, a static image with swipe dots underneath provides a refreshing change of pace. It breaks the hypnotic scrolling pattern and can often capture a user's attention more effectively than yet another moving video.

How to Make a Swipe Video on TikTok: The Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to make your first one? The process is simple. Just follow these steps.

Step 1: Get Your Photos Ready

Before you even open the app, the most important step is to have your photos selected and ready in your phone's camera roll. For the best results, use high-quality, vertical images that are formatted in a 9:16 aspect ratio so they fill the entire screen on TikTok. Make sure they are in the order you want them to appear in the carousel to save yourself some time later.

Step 2: Start a New TikTok and Upload Your Photos

Open the TikTok app and tap the + icon at the bottom center to start creating a new post. On the creation screen, tap the "Upload" button on the bottom right. This will take you to your camera roll.

At the top, make sure you're on the "Photos" tab, not "Videos." From there, tap the "Select multiple" option. Now, you can tap on all the photos you want to include in your carousel. A number will appear on each photo indicating its position in the sequence, so select them in the order you want your story to unfold.

Step 3: Make Sure You’re in "Photo Mode"

Once you’ve selected your images and tapped "Next," TikTok will bring you to the main editor. Here, look at the bottom of the screen. You should see an option highlighted that says "Switch to video mode." This means you are correctly in Photo Mode, which is exactly what you want.

If for some reason it says "Switch to photo mode," just tap it. You'll know you’re in the right mode when you see a series of dots at the bottom of the screen representing your photos, rather than a single video timeline.

Step 4: Edit and Add Your Creative Touches

This is where you bring your photo carousel to life. The editing options are slightly different than they are for a standard video, but just as powerful.

• Add Music: Tap "Add sound" at the top of the screen to choose a song or trending audio. Your chosen sound will play on a loop as the user swipes through the photos, so pick one with a good beat that complements the vibe of your carousel.
• Add Text and Stickers: This is a game-changer for swipe videos. You can pin different pieces of text to different photos. To do this, add your text as you normally would. Before saving it, look for an option that says "Set duration." Tapping this will reveal thumbnails of all your photos. You can drag the text block onto a single photo, so it only appears when that image is on screen. This is perfect for creating numbered lists or step-by-step guides.
• Use Filters and Effects: You can apply filters to individual photos or apply one consistently across the whole set to create a cohesive look and feel.

Step 5: Write Your Caption and Post

On the final post screen, you’ll write your caption, select a cover image, and add relevant hashtags. Your caption is especially important for a swipe video.

Include a clear call-to-action (CTA) that encourages the swipe. Phrases like "Swipe to see the final look," "Let me know your favorite in the comments," or using arrow emojis (➡️) can significantly increase the chances that someone will interact with your post instead of just scrolling by.

When you're ready, hit "Post," and your interactive swipe video is live!

Beyond the Basics: Creative Ideas for Your Swipe Videos

Now that you know how it's done, what should you make? Here are some proven ideas that perform incredibly well in the swipe format.

1. "Before and After" Reveals

The swipe gesture is built for satisfying reveals. This is a classic format for home makeovers (before, during, after renovation), beauty transformations (bare-faced to full glam), design mockups (the sketch vs. the final product), or even a recipe (raw ingredients to a plated dish). The anticipation builds with each swipe, making the final result even more impactful.

2. The "Photo Dump" or Behind-the-Scenes

Give your audience an authentic peek into your brand or life. Share a casual roundup of photos from a recent event, a "day in the life" recap, or a look at your unfiltered creative process. Captions on each image can add personal commentary or context, making your audience feel like they're getting an exclusive look behind the curtain.

3. Step-by-Step Mini-Tutorials

Break down a complex process into easy, digestible steps. Each photo in the carousel can represent one step. This is amazing for:

• Simple recipes (Slide 1: ingredients, Slide 2: chop veggies, etc.).
• Styling tips (Slide 1: the dress, Slide 2: add shoes, Slide 3: add purse).
• DIY projects or craft how-tos.
• A short workout routine, with one exercise demonstrated per photo.

4. Listicles and Product Roundups

People love lists. Use the swipe format to create numbered content pieces like "5 Books That Changed My Life," "My Top 3 Travel Essentials," or "7 Fall Outfit Ideas." If you’re a business, this is a fantastic way to showcase a product. You can dedicate each slide to a different feature, show the product from multiple angles, or display it in different contexts.

5. Compelling Storytelling

Use each slide to advance a personal or brand narrative. Use text overlays combined with powerful imagery to tell a linear story from beginning to end. For example, you could share your journey of starting a business, the story behind developing a new product, or a recap of a meaningful trip. The user controls the pacing, letting them absorb the story more deeply.

Pro Tips for High-Performing Swipe Videos

Creating the carousel is one thing, making it go viral is another. Here are a few last tips to help your swipe videos perform their best.

• Hook Them with the First Photo: Your first image in the carousel acts as the cover photo in the FYP. It needs to be visually stunning or intriguing enough to make someone stop scrolling. Use your best photo first, or add a bold text overlay that asks a question or teases the story inside.
• Guide the User: Don't assume people know to swipe. Use visual cues like hand-pointing emojis (👉) in your caption or subtle text on the photos themselves ("Part 2 →") to guide them through the carousel.
• Keep a Consistent Vibe: While the photos can be different, try to maintain a cohesive visual theme. Use the same filter or color grading across all images to make the set feel professional and polished. Abrupt visual changes can be jarring.
• Think About the Sound Loop: The sound you choose will play over and over as the user swipes. Avoid long intros or strange pauses. A short, melodic beat that sounds good on repeat is often the best choice.
• Ask for Interaction in Your Caption: Drive conversation by asking your audience a direct question related to the content. "Which outfit should I wear?" "Have you tried this recipe before?" This prompts comments beyond just "nice post!" and gets the algorithm working in your favor.

Final Thoughts

Creating a TikTok swipe video is a fantastic method for telling deeper stories, boosting audience engagement, and holding attention for longer. By switching to Photo Mode and thoughtfully curating your images, text, and sound, you can transform a simple photo collection into an interactive experience that both your followers and the algorithm will love.

As you add these carousels to your calendar alongside regular TikTok videos and Reels, staying on top of your content plan can get tricky. Personally, we use Postbase to plan out our entire social strategy in one visual calendar. Because it's designed specifically for today’s short-form video world, it handles TikToks exactly as you’d hope, allowing us to schedule all types of content confidently across our platforms. It helps us see the full picture of what’s going live and when, all in one place and without any of the usual frustrations.