How to Schedule Instagram Carousel Posts Easily?

If you are attempting to narrate not just a story but the whole tale in just one post, Instagram’s feature of Carousel posts is what you need!

In the dynamic realm of social media, Instagram stands out with its visually captivating features. One such engaging feature is the Instagram carousel, which allows users to share a whirlwind of images and videos in a single post and get more views on Instagram.

Carousels are not just visually appealing, but they also hold the potential to narrate a compelling story, making your brand memorable.

However, maintaining a consistent posting schedule can be quite a hurdle. This is where the ability to schedule Instagram carousel  posts comes into play, acting as a time-saver and a game-changer in managing your Instagram content efficiently.

What is a Carousel Post on Instagram?

A carousel post on Instagram is a feature that allows users to share multiple photos or videos (up to 10) within a single post. Viewers can swipe left or right to navigate through the content in the carousel. These posts are highly versatile, accommodating a mix of static images, videos, or even GIFs. They are commonly used to tell a story, provide step-by-step instructions, or showcase various aspects of a product or event.

Carousel posts can be identified by a small icon in the top-right corner of the post (a stack of squares) and dots at the bottom, indicating multiple slides.

Why Schedule Carousel Instagram Posts?

The era of digitalization has brought forth numerous tools and techniques to simplify social media management. Especially when it comes to Instagram, where visuals are the king, scheduling carousel posts can significantly amplify your brand’s presence.

Let’s dissect the benefits further:

Enhancing Engagement

Carousel posts are known for their higher engagement rates. When you schedule carousel Instagram, you ensure that your posts go live at the peak times when your audience is most active, thereby increasing the chances of higher engagement.

Showcasing the Brand Story

A carousel post is a canvas to narrate your brand’s story creatively. It allows you to share a journey, a process, or a collection of testimonials that resonate with your audience. Scheduling these posts ensures you are regularly sharing different facets of your brand, keeping your audience engaged and informed.

Tapping into Analytics

Scheduled posts are not just about convenience; they are about strategy. When you schedule your carousel posts, you can easily track and analyze the performance metrics. Creating engaging Instagram post ideas is made easier when you have analytical insights readily available.

What is the Instagram Carousel Aspect Ratio?

To ensure your Instagram carousel posts are visually appealing and properly displayed, you need to adhere to the platform’s aspect ratio guidelines. Instagram provides three aspect ratio options for carousel posts:

• Square (1:1)
• Horizontal (1.91:1)
• Vertical (4:5)

For images, Instagram recommends a resolution of 1080 x 1080 pixels for optimal quality. For videos, the minimum resolution is 600 x 600 pixels, while the maximum resolution matches the image standard of 1080 x 1080 pixels. When crafting your carousel posts, including videos for schedule Instagram reels, you must take these specifications into account to ensure your content looks its best on Instagram.

Related: Instagram Post Size: A Complete Guide For All Types of Posts

Schedule Carousel Posts on Instagram

Yes, you can schedule carousel posts on Instagram using various tools and methods. Scheduling carousel posts on Instagram is essential for maintaining a consistent content strategy and keeping your audience engaged. Whether you prefer free tools or a premium option, several methods allow you to plan and schedule your carousel posts efficiently. Here are the top ways:

1. Using the Instagram App (Free): Save your carousel posts as drafts directly in the Instagram app and manually publish them when ready.
2. Meta Business Suite (Free): A robust free tool from Instagram’s parent company, Meta Business Suite lets you plan, schedule, and even auto-publish carousel posts.
3. Web Browser Tools (Free): Platforms like Later or Buffer provide free plans with intuitive interfaces for uploading and scheduling Instagram carousel posts via a web browser.
4. RecurPost Tool (Paid): For advanced scheduling and automation, RecurPost offers powerful features for carousel posts. It includes evergreen scheduling, content libraries, and detailed analytics, making it an excellent option for businesses and professionals.

These methods cater to different needs and budgets, helping you streamline your Instagram content planning with ease. Let’s explore each method in detail, focusing on their features and functionality.

How to schedule carousel post on Instagram for Free?

Scheduling Instagram carousel posts free can be a game-changer for content creators and businesses looking to maintain a consistent posting schedule. Instagram’s carousel feature allows you to share up to 10 photos or videos in a single post, making it perfect for storytelling, tutorials, and showcasing products. But the question arises: how do you schedule them efficiently without additional costs?

How to schedule a carousel post on Instagram app?

Yes, you can easily schedule carousel posts on Instagram for free! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to use the carousel feature on Instagram and schedule your posts using an Instagram carousel planner. Let’s get started!

1. Open your Instagram account and open your profile page. You will two options to create a post over there, the first one on top right, tapping the ‘+’ button.

2. Choose Your Media

• You can choose up to 10 photos or videos to include in your carousel. Tap on the media you want to add in the order you want them to appear, and Instagram will arrange them accordingly.

3. Edit Your Media

Once your photos or videos are selected, you can edit each slide individually. Tap on each media item to apply filters, adjust brightness, contrast, or crop. You can also tap the text icon to add captions for each photo or video.

4. Add Caption, Tags, and Location

• Craft Your Caption: A good caption is the cherry on top of your carousel post. It should be engaging and relevant to the visuals you are sharing.
• Add Hashtags and Location: Including relevant hashtags and location can enhance the visibility of your carousel post.

5. Once your carousel post is ready, on the last page where there is the option to share on the bottom, you will see multiple options as you scroll down like add location, tag people, boost post, and much more.

6. As you scroll down to the end, the last option would be ‘Advanced settings’.

7. When you click on it, its sub-options will open, there on the top will be the option to schedule a post, namely “Schedule this post”. 

8. Upon clicking on it, a pop-up window will open with date and time options. Select the date and time for which you want to schedule the post and then click on ‘done’. 

Note: The best time to post a carousel on Instagram is generally 5 pm to 7 pm, especially on weekdays.

How to edit carousel post instagram app?

1. If you wish to edit, reschedule or delete the carousel post, you can go to your profile and click on the three horizontal lines on top right.

2. Once it opens, again you will see a lot of options and tools like saved, archived, insights and much more. Upon scrolling down a little more, you will see an option of ‘Scheduled content’ below ‘Insights’. 

3. When you click on it, you will see all the posts that are yet to be posted according to your scheduled time and date. 

4. Click on the three dots towards the right of the posts that you want to click on it and you will see 4 options; Edit post, Reschedule, Share now, and Delete. 

Change order of Instagram carousel

After selecting your media, press and hold any photo or video thumbnail. Drag it to the desired position in the sequence.

Edit and Add Details

Once your images are in the correct order, proceed to edit your carousel. Add filters, captions, hashtags, or location tags as needed.

Publish Your Carousel Post
Tap “Next” and then “Share” to publish your perfectly arranged carousel post.

Steps to Reschedule an Instagram Carousel Post:

When you click on the “Reschedule” button, a date and time selection box will appear. This box allows you to easily adjust the timing of your post by selecting the desired date and time from the calendar and clock interface.

How to Schedule Carousel Post on Instagram Using the Meta App

If you’re looking to schedule your Instagram carousel posts with ease, Meta’s Business Suite app (formerly Facebook Creator Studio) is the perfect free solution. It allows you to plan, schedule, and manage your posts directly from your desktop or mobile device. As a content creator or business owner, using the Meta app for carousel posts can help you stay organized and maintain a consistent content schedule, all at no cost.

Step-by-Step Guide to Schedule Carousel Posts Using the Meta App:

Step 1: Log into Meta Business Suite

Open Meta Business Suite and log in with your Instagram account connected to the Facebook page.

Step 2: Create a New Post

Click on “Create Post” at the top of the dashboard. You’ll be given the option to select which platform (Instagram or Facebook) you want to post to.

Step 3: Select Your Media

Click on the carousel icon to add multiple images or videos. Select up to 10 photos or videos from your computer to include in the carousel.

Step 4: Edit Your Content

Once you’ve selected your media, you can edit each image or video individually. Add captions, hashtags, and any necessary tags.

Step 5: Add a Caption and Other Details

Write a compelling caption, add location information, and tag relevant people or accounts.

Step 6: Schedule the Post

Instead of posting immediately, click on “Schedule”. Choose your preferred date and time, then hit “Save” to schedule your Instagram carousel post.

Meta Business Suite makes the process easy and straightforward, allowing you to manage all your Instagram content from one place!

How to Schedule an Instagram Carousel Post on Meta Business Suite (Desktop) for Free

1. Open the Meta Business Suite, and you’ll see the option of “Create Post” right below the profile display.

2. Upon clicking on it, a pop-up window will open with the options to add images, text, or tags. As it is a carousel post, you can add multiple images or videos at a time.

3. After being done with entering the details, you can scroll down and you’ll find the option called, “Scheduling options”. And on the right towards the same option, you will see the option to ‘Set date and time’.

4. Upon tapping it, a new pop-up window will open, you can enter the date and time that you wish to schedule the carousel post to, and then click on the tab of “Schedule”, and the post will be scheduled.

How to make any changes to a scheduled carousel post on Meta Business Suite

1. Once the post is scheduled, you’ll be redirected to the dashboard where you can select the option of ‘Planner’ on the left side of the desktop in a vertical line. There you’ll find the scheduled post below the date that you scheduled it for.

2. As you click on it, a pop-up window will open with the scheduled post with an option with three horizontal dots. 

3. Upon clicking on it, you will find the options to edit, duplicate, reschedule, delete the post or move it to drafts.

If you’re looking to schedule a carousel post on Instagram, using a reliable Instagram carousel planner like Meta Business Suite is a great option. It allows you to schedule and manage carousel posts easily, straight from your desktop or mobile. However, if you’re seeking more advanced features, RecurPost is also one of the best apps for Instagram carousel scheduling. With RecurPost, you can automate your Instagram posts, making it an excellent tool for content planning and long-term scheduling, especially for businesses and social media managers.

Ready to get started? Sign up for a free trial of RecurPost and take your Instagram scheduling to the next level!

How to schedule a carousel post on RecurPost (desktop)

1. Upon logging into your RecurPost account (the third-party-app in reference here), the application’s dashboard will open. You will find all your social media accounts across all the social media applications that you are linked to your mail.

2. On the top of the screen, you’ll see the option to “Share a Post”, you can click on it in order to start working on the post.

3. As you do so, a pop-up window will open with the options to add pictures, videos, emojis, and text along with many other additional tools will show up; like add from camera, add custom fields, add AI content, add bag of tags.

4. Along with all the other options, you’ll see the option of “Preview”. After clicking on it, you’ll be able to preview the post, how the post and text would look like.

5. Once you feel convinced with the layout, you can click on “Done”, and you will be able to be redirected to the pop-up window with all the posting options. Upon completing the post, you can click on the option to “Schedule”, and the post will be scheduled.

How to make any changes to a scheduled carousel post on RecurPost

1. If you wish to edit, reschedule or delete the carousel scheduled post, click on the scheduled post under the date that you scheduled it for.

2. Below the text “One-off posts”, there are three options symbolising the three emojis: preview, edit and delete.

3. If you wish to edit the scheduled posts, you can click on the ‘edit’ option and edit the image, text or any other details of the scheduled post. 

3. And if you wish to delete the post altogether, you can click on the ‘delete’ option and the scheduled post will be deleted.

Note: If you want to learn how to schedule Reels, Stories, and other types of posts on Instagram, check out our comprehensive guide on scheduling Instagram posts here.

The requirement for an Instagram Scheduler

While Instagram allows native scheduling, the feature may fall short when managing multiple posts or analyzing performance metrics. This is where a scheduling tool becomes indispensable. Scheduling tools offer a centralized platform to not only schedule carousel Instagram but also analyze engagement metrics, helping to fine-tune your content strategy. The convenience of scheduling your carousel posts, coupled with insightful analytics, makes employing a scheduling tool a smart choice for individuals and brands aiming to maintain a robust and engaging Instagram presence.

Using RecurPost to Schedule Carousel Instagram Posts

In the bustling digital world, having a reliable tool to schedule carousel Instagram posts is a boon. Among the myriad of tools available, RecurPost stands out for its ease of use and robust features. Here’s a glimpse into how RecurPost can be your companion in social media management:

Ease of Scheduling: RecurPost simplifies the process of scheduling Carousel Instagram. With a user-friendly interface, scheduling your carousel posts becomes a breeze.

Content Categorization: Organize your posts effectively by categorizing them, which not only keeps your content organized but also allows for easy scheduling and rescheduling.

Performance Analytics: Understanding the impact of your carousel posts is crucial. RecurPost provides insightful analytics to help you gauge the engagement and performance of your posts.

Evergreen Content Recycling: Ensure your evergreen content gets the recognition it deserves by scheduling it to be posted at regular intervals.

Leveraging a tool like RecurPost can significantly auto schedule Instagram posts, freeing up your time while ensuring your Instagram carousel posts are well-optimized and reach your audience when they are most active.

Tips to Make Your Carousel Posts More Engaging

Creating an Instagram carousel post that captivates the audience requires a blend of creativity, relevancy, and aesthetics. Here are some tips to elevate your carousel posts:

Utilizing High-Quality Images and Videos

One will always say a picture is worth a thousand words, especially in the era of modern technology where a good-quality photo goes for a thousand likes on Instagram. Your images and videos must be of exceptional quality for you to catch your customers’ attention.

Crafting Captivating Captions

Your caption should narrate a story or convey emotions that resonate with your visuals. A well-crafted caption can significantly enhance the engagement rate of your carousel post.

Call to Action

You can also engage your audience and generate more interest by including a call to action that invites them to participate in the posts. A clear CTA does a lot when it comes to inviting questions, urging them to state their opinions, and guiding them to your website among others.

These tips will put fire into all other aspects of the carousel to make your Instagram page full of interesting content.

Boost your Instagram engagement and marketing efforts using the best tools for marketers.

Benefits of Using a Scheduling Tool for Carousel Posts

Embracing a scheduling tool to schedule carousel Instagram posts is akin to having a virtual assistant. Here are some of the stellar benefits it brings along:

• Time Efficiency: Scheduling tools are a time saver. Prepare your carousel posts at your convenience, schedule them, and let the tool take care of the posting at the right time.
• Consistent Posting: Consistency is key in social media management. A scheduling tool ensures your posts go live as per your planned schedule, maintaining a consistent brand presence on Instagram.
• Better Engagement Analysis: With scheduling tools, you get to dive deep into how your carousel posts are performing. Analyzing engagement metrics assists in refining your Instagram strategy for better engagement.

Incorporating a scheduling tool into your Instagram management routine is a prudent step toward fostering a compelling and engaging Instagram profile.

Want to explore more tools? Check out our list of the top apps that schedule Instagram posts to find the best fit for your needs.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

While the journey to schedule carousel Instagram posts may seem straightforward, it comes with its share of hurdles. Here’s how to navigate through them:

• Overcoming Scheduling Errors: Technical glitches can happen, but they shouldn’t derail your posting schedule. In case of an error, double-check your internet connection, the format of your images and videos, and the scheduling time.
• Ensuring Quality Across All Slides: Each slide of your carousel post should maintain a high-quality standard. Ensure all images and videos are clear and crisp and convey your message effectively.

Addressing these challenges head-on will ensure your carousel scheduling journey is smooth, keeping your Instagram game strong and engaging.

Case Studies of Brands Excelling with Scheduled Carousel Posts

Here are brief success stories showcasing how schedule carousel Instagram posts have impacted brand engagement and follower growth:

Vans: Vans leveraged Instagram carousel posts to promote one of its newest shoes. The brand showcased different angles and features of the shoe through multiple images within a single carousel post, providing a detailed visual insight into the product to its audience​​.

Airbnb: Airbnb creatively used the carousel feature to display a wider canvas. They posted panoramic shots split up into several slides arranged in a carousel post, displaying the full beauty of a location. This innovative use of the carousel feature not only provides a visually appealing viewing experience but also showcases the property or location in a more engaging manner​.

These examples underscore the versatility and engaging nature of Instagram carousel posts when utilized effectively by brands. The success stories of Vans and Airbnb illustrate how carousel posts can be used for different purposes, be it product promotion or showcasing a location, thereby enhancing brand engagement on Instagram.

Conclusion

Is it not annoying when you get 3 amazing pictures in the same setup with almost the same pose, and no matter how hard you try to choose one of them to post, you feel like posting all of them? Well this is where Instagram’s new feature of carousel comes in!

Mastering the art of scheduling carousel Instagram posts is an endeavor worth undertaking. It not only streamlines your social media management but also amplifies engagement, telling your brand’s story in a compelling manner. Whether you choose to schedule posts natively or employ the robust features of a scheduling tool like RecurPost, the essence lies in delivering engaging content consistently. Embrace the scheduling voyage and witness your Instagram engagement soar!

FAQs

Debbie Moran

Debbie Moran is a Digital marketing strategist with 5+ years of experience producing advertising for brands and helping leaders showcase their brand to the correct audience. She has been a part of RecurPost since 2019 and handles all the activities required to grow our brand’s online presence.