Instagram is stepping up its game by rolling out a new feature that allows users to add up to 20 photos or videos to their feed carousels. This move reflects the platform’s recognition of the growing trend of “photo dumps,” where users share a collection of photos and videos in a single post, rather than obsessing over the perfect image.
Back in 2017, Instagram introduced the ability to post up to 10 photos or videos in a swipeable carousel format, a feature that quickly became popular among users. Now, with the ability to post double the amount of content, Instagram is further embracing the photo dump culture just in time for the end of summer.
In its early days, Instagram was all about curating that single, flawless photo to share with your followers. Over time, however, users began to shift toward a more relaxed approach, sharing multiple images and videos in a carousel format to capture the full essence of their experiences. This evolution paved the way for the rise of the “photo dump,” a trend that’s become synonymous with authenticity and spontaneity on the platform.
The new update, which allows users to share up to 20 photos and videos in a carousel, feels like a nod to the nostalgic days of uploading entire photo albums on Facebook after a summer vacation. It’s a feature that invites users to share more, with less concern about narrowing down their choices to just a few images.
Interestingly, this update also brings Instagram closer to TikTok’s carousel feature, which already allows users to include up to 35 photos in a single post. While Instagram’s move to expand carousel limits may be seen as a way to keep up with its competitors, it also highlights the platform’s ongoing evolution from a simple photo-sharing app to a multifaceted social media platform.
However, not everyone may be thrilled with this change. Some users might see the expanded carousel limit as overkill, especially as Instagram continues to add more content formats like Reels, Stories, and Notes. With so much content already competing for attention, the idea of swiping through more than 10 slides in a post may feel like a bit much for some.
It’s worth mentioning that this update didn’t come out of the blue. Instagram was spotted testing the expanded carousel limit earlier this year, so Thursday’s announcement wasn’t entirely unexpected.
In a related development, Instagram also revealed that it’s making “Views” the primary metric across all its formats, including Reels, Live, Photos, Carousels, and Stories. This change will allow creators to track the same performance metric across all of their content, streamlining the way engagement is measured on the platform.
As Instagram continues to evolve, it’s clear that the platform is keen on adapting to the changing preferences of its user base. Whether the expanded carousel limit will be a hit or miss remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Instagram is fully embracing the photo dump culture, encouraging users to share more of their lives in a single post.
