What is the best posting format to achieve your goals on Instagram, according to Instagram

Reels and carousels to expand your audience, or Stories to boost engagement, are some of the recommendations offered by the social network.
August 5, 2025

The social network Threads posted recommendations to help content creators achieve their goals on Instagram: reaching new audiences, strengthening engagement with their followers, or fostering loyalty. To do so, it is based on the following chart:

Reels and Carousels to reach new users

If your objective is to grow and reach people who do not yet follow you, Instagram recommends focusing on Reels and carousels. Thanks to their organic reach and visibility on the discovery tab, Reels are ideal for capturing the attention of new audiences.

Example of a Reel:

Carousels, on the other hand, allow you to tell more complete stories and keep users swiping, which increases the likelihood that they will interact and choose to follow you.

Example of a Carousel:

 

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A post shared by Instagram for Business (@instagramforbusiness)

Carousels, Photos, and Stories to boost engagement

When your goal is to better connect with your current community, Instagram suggests focusing on carousels, photos, and Stories. Carousels invite users to spend more time on your content, while photos remain a straightforward and easily consumable format. Stories, due to their ephemeral and interactive nature, encourage quick responses and authentic conversations through polls, questions, or reactions.

Live Streams and Channels to foster loyalty

If you seek to create a lasting relationship with your audience, Live streams and Channels are your best allies. Lives establish real-time closeness, allowing you to address questions, share news, and reveal the most personal side of your brand.

In parallel, Broadcast Channels provide an exclusive space to keep your most loyal followers informed with priority content and key updates.

If you are not clear about what Broadcast Channels are or how you can implement them, Adam Mosseri explains it in the following video:

 

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Photo: Canva

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Content Manager in Marketing4eCommerce

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