Instagram Content Types: Which One Should You Post?

Have you ever found yourself lost in the world of Instagram, trying to create every type of post imaginable to keep up with current trends? With so many post options available—photo, videos, reel, carousel, and story—it's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of creating different posts without considering if it’s the best mix for your brand’s goals.

Here’s the thing: Not all types of content are created equal. Choosing the wrong one can result in low engagement and wasted time and effort.

In this blog, we'll explore the different types of Instagram posts and when to use them based on your brand type and audience. So, if you want to learn what’s the most effective and engaging Instagram post you should create right now, keep reading!

Content types and when to use them

The type of Instagram post you should create largely depends on your brand's goals, whether it's to increase engagement, drive sales, or build brand awareness.

Reels

Reels are popular content, considering how easily digestible and entertaining it is. These videos can go from just a few seconds up to 15 minutes, making them an effective tool for quickly engaging your audience with content that is both brief and captivating. One of the best things about Reels is that it allows you to reach a wider audience. Reels can appear on the Explore page, giving your content the potential to be seen by cold audiences and enabling you to attract them and expand your brand's reach.

Instagram's audience typically looks for quick and easily digestible content. So, if you decide to post longer videos, try breaking up the video into shorter segments or adding captions to keep viewers engaged.

When to post: Reels are a go-to for creating entertaining and educational content for brand awareness. Reels are excellent for showcasing your products, providing tutorials, or making fun, behind-the-scenes glimpses.

Here’s an example of a reel we made to educate our audience on the importance of first impressions. Instead of presenting facts, we turn it into a mini-game. It entertained our viewers and encouraged them to interact and spend more time on our page.

Images

The bread and butter of the platform. They're content that is easy and convenient to post wherever and whenever you are. High-quality and visually appealing images are always a must.

When to post: Photos are great for showcasing your brand and creating a visual narrative. Create this kind of content to show off your product and services or tell your brand story—be sure to pick relevant images that will resonate with your audience.

Another way to leverage images on Instagram is by posting quotes and diagrams. They effectively capture your audience's attention and convey your brand's message. Whether they're funny, inspiring, or thought-provoking, they can help increase engagement and awareness. Plus, they're highly shareable, so you can use them to reach a broader audience beyond your existing followers.

Carousels

A carousel post is a way to go when one image is insufficient or you want to throw a video into the mix. It’s great for showcasing multiple photos or videos in one post, giving you additional ways to engage your audience by encouraging them to swipe through.

If you post a carousel, the images or videos appearing on your audience’s feed differ each time they scroll. With it, you can stay on someone’s feed without coming across as repetitive or spammy.

When to post: Carousel is good content to educate your audience or break out complex ideas into multiple images. This allows your audience to digest your point one swipe at a time.

Stories

Instagram Stories are short-form content that lasts for only a day. Stories appear at the top of the Instagram feed and are often the first thing users see when they open the app. Posting stories regularly can help increase your visibility and keep your profile top-of-mind for your followers.

When to post: Stories are a great way to create quick, engaging content that is more informal and personal than regular posts, giving you more avenues to add personality and authenticity. Stickers, GIFs, and other interactive features are fun add-ons to make your stories more engaging and entertaining for your audience.

You can also leverage stories using the link sticker or swipe-up feature to redirect your audience to your event or product page. This will help drive traffic and increase conversions for your business.

Maximizing every post

Whether through visually stunning images, engaging videos, informative carousels, or interactive stories, creating posts should be based on your brand’s business goal and your audience’s preference.

So, take some time to consider what kind of content resonates best, and don’t be afraid to experiment and mix things up. Be creative and keep your audience engaged and coming back for more!