The maximum number of images or videos allowed in a single Instagram post is ten. This feature, introduced to enhance user engagement, allows for carousel posts that showcase multiple aspects of a subject or event within a single upload. For example, a photographer might use a carousel to display different angles of a single landscape, or a business could feature multiple products in a single post.
Utilizing the full capacity of a multi-image post offers significant advantages. It provides more space to tell a story, demonstrate product features, or offer diverse perspectives, leading to increased engagement. Historically, single-image posts were the standard; the introduction of the carousel format expanded creative possibilities and offered a more dynamic viewing experience for followers. This feature also increases the dwell time on a post, which algorithms often interpret as positive engagement, potentially boosting visibility.