What a carousel post is and why to use one

A carousel post on LinkedIn is a single post that holds up to 10 images or documents, each with its own caption. Readers swipe or click through them one at a time, like flipping pages. LinkedIn shows the first image in your feed, and people decide whether to tap through the rest.

Carousels work well when you want to tell a story across multiple images — a before-and-after sequence, steps in a process, or related ideas that build on each other. Because each image gets its own caption, you can explain what matters about each one without cramming text into a single post. LinkedIn's algorithm also tends to show carousel posts to more people, because the swiping action signals engagement.

The main reason to use a carousel instead of a single image or a video is control. You decide the order, the pacing, and what text goes with each image. A carousel also lets you mix document screenshots, charts, and photos in one post without making it feel cluttered.

Key Takeaways

  • Carousel posts let you upload up to 10 images or documents in one post, with separate captions for each page.
  • You start a carousel by clicking the image icon in the post box, then selecting multiple files at once before uploading.
  • Write a strong first caption — that image appears in the feed and determines whether people swipe through the rest.
  • Each page can have its own caption, hashtags, and link, so use that space to explain what matters about that specific image.
  • Test your carousel on a phone before posting, because most LinkedIn users will view it on mobile.

How to upload multiple images at once

Open LinkedIn and go to the home feed. Click in the post box at the top where it says "Start a post". You will see a row of icons below the text area — one looks like a landscape image. Click that image icon.

A window will open asking you to select files from your computer. Click "Select photos and videos" or the equivalent button. This is where most people get stuck: you need to select all your images at once, not one at a time. Hold down Ctrl (on Windows) or Command (on Mac) and click each image you want. They will highlight as you click. Once you have selected all of them, click "Open" or "Upload".

LinkedIn will upload all the files and arrange them in the order you selected them. You will see thumbnails of each image in a row. If the order is wrong, you can drag and drop the thumbnails to rearrange them before you post.

Writing captions that make people swipe

The first image is the one people see in their feed. Your first caption needs to make them want to tap through. Avoid vague openings like "Swipe to see more" — instead, tell them what they will learn or see. For example: "I made 5 mistakes in my first year as a manager. Here is what I learned from each one" is stronger than "Check out this carousel."

Each image after the first can have its own caption. You do not have to write the same length for every page — a short caption on one image and a longer one on the next is fine. Use the space to explain what the image shows or why it matters. If an image is a screenshot of data, point out the number that surprised you. If it is a photo from an event, say what happened or what you learned.

Keep captions short enough to read on a phone without scrolling. Most people will skim rather than read every word, so put the key point first. You can add hashtags and links to any caption, not just the first one, but use them sparingly — one or two per image is enough.

Arranging images in the right order

The order of your carousel matters because people decide whether to keep swiping based on what they see. Start with your strongest image — the one that looks most interesting or makes the clearest point. End with a call to action or a conclusion that feels complete, not like you ran out of images.

If you are showing a process or timeline, arrange images chronologically. If you are listing separate ideas, put the most important or surprising one early. If you are telling a before-and-after story, the before should come first, even if the after looks more impressive.

After you upload all your images, you can drag the thumbnails to reorder them. Click and hold a thumbnail, then drag it to a new position. The number on each thumbnail shows its current order. Make these changes before you write your captions, because moving images around after you have written captions can be confusing.

Adding links and hashtags to carousel pages

You can add a link to any page of your carousel, not just the first one. Click on a thumbnail to select that page, then scroll down in the caption area until you see a link field. Paste the URL there. When someone taps that image, they will see the link option appear.

Hashtags work the same way — you can add them to any caption. LinkedIn lets you add up to 30 hashtags per post, but using 5 to 10 relevant ones is more effective than stuffing in every tag you can think of. Put hashtags at the end of the caption, after your main text.

If all your images link to the same destination, put the link on the first image so people see it right away. If different images link to different pages, put each link on the relevant image — for example, if image three is about a product, link that image to the product page.

Checking how your carousel looks on mobile

Most LinkedIn users view posts on phones, not computers. Before you post, preview your carousel on a mobile device if you have one. Open LinkedIn on your phone, go to your draft post, and swipe through each image. Check that text is readable, images are not cut off, and captions make sense at that size.

Images that look fine on a desktop monitor can appear zoomed in or cropped on a phone. If an image has text on it, make sure that text is large enough to read on a small screen. If you notice a problem, you can delete the carousel and start over, or edit the post after you publish it to swap out an image.

Also check that the first image is the one you want people to see in the feed. That thumbnail is what decides whether someone taps through, so make sure it is clear, professional, and relevant to your message.

Publishing and editing after you post

Once your captions are written and your images are in order, click the "Post" button. Your carousel will appear in your feed and in your profile. LinkedIn will show the first image to your network, and people can tap to swipe through the rest.

You can edit a carousel after you post it. Click the three dots in the corner of your post and select "Edit post". You can change captions, reorder images, or swap out an image for a different one. You cannot add or remove images after posting — if you need to change the number of pages, you have to delete the post and create a new one.

Pay attention to how many views and interactions each carousel gets. If people are swiping through all 10 images, your order and captions are working. If most people stop after image two, the third image or caption may not be compelling enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

What file types can I use in a carousel?

LinkedIn accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF images, plus PDF documents. You can mix image types in one carousel — for example, photos on some pages and screenshots on others. Videos are not supported in carousels; if you want to include video, post it separately.

Can I add the same carousel to multiple posts?

No, each carousel is tied to one post. If you want to reuse the same images, you can read them from the first post and create a new carousel, but you will be posting it as a separate post with a separate URL.

How many images should I include in a carousel?

There is no minimum, but most effective carousels have 3 to 7 images. Fewer than 3 and you might as well post a single image. More than 7 and people often stop swiping before the end. Test different lengths to see what your audience engages with.

Do carousels get more views than single image posts?

Carousels often get more engagement because the swiping action signals interest to LinkedIn's algorithm. However, the first image still matters most — if it does not catch attention, people will not swipe at all. A strong single image can outperform a weak carousel.

Can I schedule a carousel post for later?

Yes. Instead of clicking "Post", click the arrow next to the Post button and select "Schedule post". Choose your date and time, and LinkedIn will publish the carousel automatically. You can schedule up to 50 posts in advance.