Best Carousel Content Ideas for Instagram Growth in 2026 📈🚀📲

If you want to go viral in 2026, you need to stop creating carousels like it’s 2021. That basic Canva infographic? Not cutting it.Instead, you need bold, opinionated, story-led content that cuts through the scroll and converts eyeballs into followers, buyers, and fans.In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 viral carousel types dominating my feed, my metrics, and my business right now—with real examples, the psychology behind why they work, and how you can start posting them today.Whether you're building a personal brand or scaling a service-based biz, this is your go-to strategy guide for carousels that actually move the needle in 2026.🎯 What you’ll learn:• Why your carousels aren’t converting—and how to fix it• The 3 scroll-stopping formats you should post every month• Hooks, CTAs, and messaging tweaks that build trust + drive clicks• Behind-the-scenes of my own viral posts (and how you can remix them)

Posts referenced:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNWHaHyyA-M/?img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMbJBUczycg/?img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLqJxyGTTj6/?img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNrCKNq5tRJ/?img_index=1

✨ Steal my templates:Want my exact carousel layouts, design formulas, and CTA slides?Grab the SMM Template Bundle—now updated with top-performing posts from 2025:👉 https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd?coupon_code=DISHINGUPComment below and let me know: Which carousel type are you posting first?xx Ellen💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the PodcastUse code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:👉 https://getrella.com/?via=ellen___________________________________________________________💻 //LINKS// 💻Join the Dishing up Digital School: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-SchoolBuy Ellen’s book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenzieeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee🤯 //FREE GUIDE//How to become a social media manager: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freebie👩‍💻 Ellen’s business: https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com