It feels like an age ago when we were posting single shots to Instagram. These days, it's all about carefully-curated photo dump.
And amidst many major changes to the platform (some of which that have felt a little scary to say the least), there's finally some good news for those of us who have a thought for every photo. Instagram has just released a new feature that allows every slide in a carousel to have its own unique caption. Meta describes the update as “a long-requested feature,” and we count ourselves amongst those who were rallying for it.
Below, we've gathered everything there is to know about Instagram's carousel caption update and how you can make the most of it.
Is it straightforward to use?
Fortunately, yes. This isn't one of those updates that will cause you grief.
When writing a caption for your carousel post, you'll find an option that says 'Single caption' or 'Multiple caption'. Single is the default, however if you want a caption for specific images , you can now do so. You can then update each caption as you swipe through your post.
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When can we start using multiple captions?
The new feature started rolling out on 18 June 2026. However, don't be discouraged if it hasn't popped up in your app yet. As the feature is rolling out globally, it might take a few days to appear in different locations. Meta has stated within a week everyone should have it, which means by the 27 June 2026.
How many captions can you have on a carousel?
The current limit on carousels is 20 slides, so we can expect 20 captions to be the maximum.
What are the benefits to this feature?
Whether you're a business or a content creator that relies on Instagram, this is a game changer. The Instagram algorithm prioritises engagement through shares, views and swipes – so having multiple captions is likely to increase dwell time on a single post, therefore boosting your content in the algorithm.
Carousels have actually outperformed reels on Instagram in terms of enagement each quarter since 2023. Besides algorithmically, it's a better experience and can be a fun one for your followers to get a new caption on each photo, whether its humorous or just adds a bit more to what you're trying to show.
