How to Post a Carousel on Facebook

A single image is good, but multiple images in one post can tell a powerful story, showcase a product from every angle, or break down a complex idea into simple, digestible steps. That's the power of the Facebook carousel, an interactive format that lets you display up to ten images or videos in a single ad or post that users can swipe through. This guide will walk you through exactly how to create a carousel post, share creative ideas to get you started, and cover best practices for making your carousels truly stand out.

What Exactly is a Facebook Carousel Post?

Think of a carousel post as a mini photo album or a slide deck built directly into the Facebook feed. It’s a single post that holds multiple "cards," and each card can have its own unique image, video, headline, description, and link. This last part is what makes it so useful for businesses and marketers - you can direct traffic to ten different product pages from one interactive post.

So, why should you use them?

• Better Storytelling: One image captures a moment, but a series of images can narrate a full story. You can walk someone through a process, show a before-and-after, or take them on a behind-the-scenes tour.
• Increased Engagement: The interactive nature of carousels invites users to swipe, linger, and spend more time with your content. This increased dwell time signals to the Facebook algorithm that your post is valuable, potentially boosting its reach.
• Product/Service Spotlights: They are perfect for e-commerce brands wanting to display multiple products, an agency looking to feature different services, or a SaaS company highlighting various product features.

How to Post a Carousel on Facebook (Using Meta Business Suite)

The most robust way to create a carousel post with unique links for each card is through Meta Business Suite (formerly Creator Studio). It gives you the most control and is the standard for professional creators and marketers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to create your first carousel post:

1. Navigate to Meta Business Suite

Log in to your Facebook account and head over to the Meta Business Suite. Make sure you’ve selected the correct Facebook Page from the dropdown menu in the top-left corner.

2. Click "Create post"

Look for the prominent blue "Create post" button on your main dashboard or within the "Content" tab. This will open the post composer window, where all the post-creation happens.

3. Upload Your Media

In the post composer, click on "Add photo/video." Instead of selecting a single image, hold down the Ctrl key (or Cmd on a Mac) and select multiple photos or videos from your computer. Facebook allows you to add up to 10 cards per carousel.

4. Select the Carousel Format

Once your media is uploaded, Facebook will often default to grouping them into a single post. Look for the small icon that lets you change the format and select the "Carousel" option. This will transform the uploaded images into the classic swipeable format.

If you intended to create an ad, you'd select the "Carousel" format in the Ad setup section of Ads Manager.

5. Customize Each Carousel Card

This is where the format really shines. For each image or video you uploaded, you can now add a unique:

• Headline: A short, punchy title that sits directly below the image.
• Destination URL: The specific webpage link you want that card to point to. For an e-commerce brand, this would be the product page for the item in the picture.

To edit a card, simply click on it in the preview panel. You'll see fields appear where you can type in the headline and paste the URL. Go through each of your cards and customize them as needed. You can also drag and drop the cards to reorder them.

6. Write Your Main Post Copy

Above the carousel preview, you'll find the main text box. This is where you write the overall message for the post. This text appears above the carousel and should provide context, ask a question, or introduce the story your carousel tells. Use emojis and compelling copy to encourage people to start swiping.

7. Preview and Publish

Before you send your creation out into the world, use the preview function. It allows you to see exactly how your post will look on both desktop and mobile feeds. Pay close attention to how your images crop and how the headlines appear. Once you're happy with it, you can either click "Publish" to post it immediately or "Schedule" to have it go live at a future date and time.

Creative Ideas for Engaging Carousel Posts

Knowing how to post a carousel is just the first step. The real fun is figuring out what to post. Here are some proven ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Showcase a Product Line or Collection

This is the most common use case for a reason - it works. Use each card to feature a different product from a collection. A clothing brand could showcase different items from a new seasonal drop, while a home goods store could display various pieces of a matching dinnerware set.

• Card 1: An eye-catching shot of all the products together.
• Cards 2-9: Individual shots of each product, with a headline mentioning its name and a link to its product page.
• Card 10: A call-to-action card encouraging users to "Shop the full collection" with a link to the main category page.

Tell a Step-by-Step Story or Tutorial

Break down a process into simple visual steps. A food blogger could share a recipe, a fitness influencer could demonstrate an exercise routine, or a craft business could show how to complete a small DIY project.

• Card 1: The stunning final result (e.g., the finished cake).
• Cards 2-9: Each card represents a single step, with a text overlay like "Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients."
• Card 10: A summary of the key ingredients or a call to check out the blog for the full recipe.

Share a "Top 5" List or Listicle

People love lists. Use a carousel to present a "Top 5 Travel Destinations," "3 Ways to Style a Scarf," or "The 4 Best Books We Read This Month."

• Card 1: The engaging title card, e.g., "Our Top 5 Tips for Better Sleep."
• Cards 2-6: Each card details one of the tips.
• Card 7: A recap or a question asking, "Which tip will you try first?"

Introduce Your Team or Share Company Culture

Humanize your brand by putting faces to the names. Use a carousel to introduce team members, showcase a day in the office, or share behind-the-scenes content from a company event. It builds connection and trust.

Present Customer Testimonials or User-Generated Content

Let your biggest fans do the marketing for you. Dedicate each carousel card to a positive customer review, pairing their quote with a photo of the product they're praising or even a picture they shared themselves (with their permission, of course).

Best Practices to Keep in Mind

To get the most out of your carousels, follow these simple guidelines:

1. Strong First Card: The first image or video in your carousel needs to stop the scroll. Make it bold, intriguing, or beautiful enough to make someone pause and want to see more.
2. Visual Consistency: Use a consistent color palette, filter, or style across all your cards. This makes the entire post feel cohesive and professional rather than like a random collection of images.
3. Encourage the Swipe: Sometimes, users need a little nudge. You can incorporate graphic elements like arrows or subtly design an image to "flow" across two cards, creating a visual mystery that can only be solved by swiping.
4. Text and Links Matter: Don't forget to customize the headlines and links on each card. It’s extra work, but targeting traffic with that level of precision is what makes the format so effective for business goals.
5. Don't Overload It: While you can use up to 10 cards, you don't always have to. A tight, focused carousel with 3-5 cards often performs better than a sprawling 10-card post that loses an audience's attention partway through.
6. Always Check the Mobile View: The vast majority of Facebook users will see your content on their phones. Use the mobile preview in Meta Business Suite to confirm that your images look great and your text is readable in a vertical format.

Final Thoughts

The Facebook carousel is a dynamic and versatile content format that gives you the space to tell richer stories, educate your audience, and showcase what you offer in a visually compelling way. By following the steps above and getting creative with your content, you can create engaging posts that invite your audience to interact and spend more quality time with your brand.

Crafting more complex posts like carousels and planning them cohesively as part of social media campaigns can feel like a lot to manage. This is exactly why we built Postbase. Our visual calendar lets you see your entire content strategy laid out, so you can plan multi-card posts and campaigns with clarity. When you’re ready to schedule it, our platform handles the rest with rock-solid reliability, ensuring everything goes live exactly when it's supposed to, without a hitch.