instagram-carousel

Instagram carousel expertise — 6 carousel structures, slide-by-slide blueprints, IG algorithm optimization, engagement triggers, visual hierarchy rules, and platform-specific anti-patterns

Instagram Carousel Skill

Specialized knowledge base for creating high-performing Instagram carousels. Covers structure selection, slide-by-slide content architecture, visual design rules, algorithm optimization, and engagement mechanics. This skill is consumed by the carousel-designer agent and integrates with the copywriting and platform-mastery skills.

🔒 MANDATORY — Read before generating any carousel

Before producing any carousel structure, read in this order:

reference/voice/GOLDEN-DOC.md — canonical voice for @melgarafael / AutomatikLabs
reference/voice/LINHA-EDITORIAL.md — pillars, angulações
reference/voice/virais/INDEX.md — master viral index
reference/voice/virais/PATTERNS/{category}.md for the editorial category of the request (viralizacao / lead-capture / saves-retencao / venda)
reference/design-system/DESIGN-SYSTEM.md — visual DS (default lime-geist variant)
brand-voice.yaml sections: voice, anti_slop, viral_intelligence, design_system

Viral intelligence rules:

Apply patterns tagged voice_fit: aligns and replicable: yes directly
NEVER copy patterns tagged voice_fit: conflicts
Patterns with seen_count >= 3 and aligned voice have priority
Each carousel cites the inspiring viral in a comment for traceability

Trigger Conditions

Use this skill when the user asks to:

Create an Instagram carousel or carrossel
Design slide content for Instagram posts
Optimize carousel posts for engagement
Build educational, storytelling, or listicle carousels
Create before/after transformation posts
Design tutorial or step-by-step carousel content
Create quote-series carousels
Adapt content into carousel format for Instagram
Improve an existing carousel's structure or copy
Select the right carousel type for a given topic

Brand Voice Integration

MANDATORY: Before generating ANY carousel content, load the brand voice configuration.

from brand_voice.config import load_brand_voice
brand = load_brand_voice()

Every slide must:

Match brand.tone descriptors in headline and body text
Avoid all terms in brand.avoid and anti_slop.banned_phrases
Follow anti_slop.style_rules — carousels are especially vulnerable to slop because each slide has limited space and every word must earn its place
Respect brand.visual_identity for colors, fonts, and logo placement
Use the brand's language register (formal vs casual, technical vs accessible)

Anti-Slop in Slide Text

Carousel slides have 50 words maximum per slide. With so few words, a single slop phrase wastes 10-20% of available space. Apply these additional carousel-specific anti-slop rules:

| Slop Pattern | Problem | Replacement | |--------------|---------|-------------| | "Voce sabia que..." on every slide | Repetitive filler | Use only once, on slide 2 max | | "Nesse post voce vai aprender" | Wastes cover real estate | Jump straight to the hook | | "Vamos la?" | Empty filler | Cut entirely or replace with a specific promise | | "Confira as dicas" | Generic, zero information | Name the specific benefit | | "Fique ate o final" | Begging, not compelling | Create curiosity that pulls naturally | | "Dica de ouro" | Overused cliche | State the tip directly | | Excessive emoji chains | Visual noise, not hierarchy | 1 emoji per concept max |

6 Carousel Structures

Each structure below includes a complete slide-by-slide blueprint. The number of slides is flexible (3-10), but the structural logic must be preserved.

1. Educativo (Educational)

Best for: Teaching a concept, sharing expertise, establishing authority. Typical slides: 7-10 Algorithm strength: High save rate (people save to reference later).

Slide-by-Slide Blueprint

| Slide | Type | Content | Design Rules | |-------|------|---------|-------------| | 1 | Cover | Hook question or bold claim. 3-7 words max. Must create a knowledge gap. | Largest text on any slide. Single focal point. No subtitle. | | 2 | Context | Frame the problem or topic. "Voce ja percebeu que..." or a surprising statistic. | Slightly smaller headline. 1-2 sentences body. Optional icon. | | 3-8 | Points | One concept per slide. Icon + headline (5-8 words) + 2-3 bullet points (8-12 words each). | Consistent layout across all point slides. Visual hierarchy: icon > headline > bullets. Progress indicator visible. | | 9 | Summary | (Optional) Quick recap of all points — numbered list, one line each. | Condensed layout. All points visible at once. | | 10 | CTA | "Salva esse post" + "Segue @handle pra mais conteudo". | Two clear actions. Brand handle prominent. Optional: "Manda pra alguem que precisa". |

Educativo Example Structure (7 slides)

Slide 1: "5 erros que matam seu engajamento"
Slide 2: "87% dos perfis cometem pelo menos 3 desses erros"
Slide 3: Erro 1 — Postar sem horario estrategico
Slide 4: Erro 2 — Ignorar os saves como metrica
Slide 5: Erro 3 — CTA generico ou ausente
Slide 6: Erro 4 — Slides sem hierarquia visual
Slide 7: CTA — "Salva pra revisar antes de postar | Segue @handle"

2. Storytelling (Narrative)

Best for: Personal stories, case studies, brand origin stories, lessons learned. Typical slides: 6-8 Algorithm strength: High time-spent (people read through the entire story), high share rate.

Slide-by-Slide Blueprint

| Slide | Type | Content | Design Rules | |-------|------|---------|-------------| | 1 | Cover | Intriguing statement that creates curiosity. Not a question — a statement that demands explanation. "Eu perdi R$40k em 3 meses." | Bold, large text. Dark or dramatic background. No context — just the hook. | | 2 | Setup | Set the scene. Who, when, where. Establish the status quo before the conflict. | Narrative text, 2-3 short sentences. Conversational tone. | | 3 | Conflict | The problem, the mistake, the challenge. Escalate tension. Make the reader feel the weight. | Can use slightly more text. Emotional language. Visual contrast (darker tones or red accents). | | 4 | Turning Point | The moment of change. What happened? What did you realize? What decision did you make? | Shorter text — one powerful sentence or two. Transitional visual. | | 5 | Resolution | The outcome. What changed? Show the transformation. Use specifics (numbers, timelines, results). | Lighter/brighter visual tone. Concrete data. Before/after contrast if applicable. | | 6 | Lesson | The takeaway. One clear, actionable lesson the reader can apply to their own life. | Framed differently — quote style, highlighted box, or different typography. | | 7 | CTA | "Manda pra alguem que precisa ouvir isso" + "Comenta se voce ja passou por algo parecido". | Engagement-focused CTA. Invite the reader into the story. |

Storytelling Narrative Arc

Cover: CURIOSITY (stop the scroll)
  ↓
Setup: CONTEXT (ground the reader)
  ↓
Conflict: TENSION (make them care)
  ↓
Turning Point: PIVOT (the aha moment)
  ↓
Resolution: PAYOFF (deliver the goods)
  ↓
Lesson: TAKEAWAY (make it actionable)
  ↓
CTA: CONNECTION (bring them closer)

3. Listicle (List)

Best for: Tips, tools, resources, habits, mistakes, examples. Typical slides: 7-10 Algorithm strength: High save rate, predictable swipe pattern keeps time-spent high.

Slide-by-Slide Blueprint

| Slide | Type | Content | Design Rules | |-------|------|---------|-------------| | 1 | Cover | Number + hook. "7 ferramentas gratuitas que uso todo dia." The number is the anchor. | Large number (oversized, accent color). Hook text below. | | 2-8 | Items | One item per slide. Number prominent + title (3-6 words) + description (1-2 sentences, 15-25 words). | Consistent layout: number in accent color, title bold, description regular weight. Each slide self-contained. | | 9 | Bonus | (Optional) "Bonus: [extra item]" — rewards the reader for swiping to the end. | Same layout as items but visually distinguished (different accent or "BONUS" badge). | | 10 | CTA | "Salva pra consultar depois" + "Qual desses voce ja usa? Comenta ai". | Save-focused CTA (listicles are reference material). |

Listicle Numbering Rules

Always use the number on every slide — it creates momentum ("3/7" makes people want to reach 7/7)
The cover number must match the total items (if you say "7 ferramentas", deliver exactly 7)
Order matters: strongest or most surprising items at positions 1, 2, and last
The middle items (positions 3-5) should maintain quality — no filler

4. Antes-Depois (Before/After)

Best for: Transformations, results, comparisons, upgrades, redesigns. Typical slides: 6-8 Algorithm strength: High share rate (visual contrast is inherently shareable), high save rate.

Slide-by-Slide Blueprint

| Slide | Type | Content | Design Rules | |-------|------|---------|-------------| | 1 | Cover | Transformation hook. "De [before state] pra [after state] em [timeframe]." | Split visual or arrow motif. Before/after implied but not shown yet. | | 2 | Before Context | Set the "before" scene. What was the situation? Pain points, metrics, or visual state. | Muted colors, gray tones, or desaturated palette. "ANTES" label visible. | | 3-4 | Before Details | Specific problems, screenshots, metrics, or descriptions of the "before" state. One problem per slide. | Same muted palette. Use icons or small visuals to illustrate each problem. | | 5 | Transition | "O que mudou" or "O que fizemos" — brief description of the action taken. | Visual bridge: half muted, half vibrant. Arrow or divider element. | | 6-7 | After Details | Specific improvements, new metrics, visual results. One improvement per slide. | Vibrant colors, brand palette at full saturation. "DEPOIS" label visible. | | 8 | CTA | "Quer o mesmo resultado? Link na bio" or "Salva pra quando precisar". | Result-focused CTA. Can include a mini before/after summary. |

Before/After Contrast Rules

The visual difference between "before" and "after" slides must be immediately obvious
Use color temperature: cool/gray for before, warm/vibrant for after
Include at least one concrete metric in the after section (percentage, time, money)
Never fake results — anti-slop applies to transformation claims too

5. Tutorial (Step-by-Step)

Best for: How-to content, processes, recipes, workflows, setup guides. Typical slides: 7-10 Algorithm strength: Highest save rate of all types (people save tutorials for later execution).

Slide-by-Slide Blueprint

| Slide | Type | Content | Design Rules | |-------|------|---------|-------------| | 1 | Cover | "Como [achieve result]" or "Passo a passo: [outcome]." Tell them exactly what they will learn. | Clear outcome promise. "Tutorial" or "Passo a passo" badge optional. | | 2 | Overview | (Optional) What they need before starting — tools, prerequisites, context. | Checklist format. Keep short — 3-5 items max. | | 3-8 | Steps | One step per slide. "Passo [N]:" + instruction headline + 1-2 sentences of detail. Include a visual example, screenshot, or illustration. | Numbered prominently. Instruction text clear and actionable. Use imperative verbs: "Abra", "Clique", "Escreva", "Configure". | | 9 | Result | Show the expected outcome. "Pronto! Agora voce tem [result]." | Celebratory visual. Show the finished product or result. | | 10 | CTA | "Salva esse tutorial pra fazer depois" + "Marca alguem que precisa aprender isso". | Save-heavy CTA. Tutorials are the #1 saved format on Instagram. |

Tutorial Writing Rules

Every step must be independently actionable — someone following along should be able to execute it
Use imperative verbs at the start of each step ("Abra o app", "Selecione a opcao", "Digite o valor")
Include one visual reference per step when possible (screenshot, diagram, icon)
Number every step — sequential numbering creates a sense of progress
If a step is complex, split it into two slides rather than cramming

6. Quote-Series (Curated Quotes)

Best for: Motivation, thought leadership, curated wisdom, niche quotes. Typical slides: 6-8 Algorithm strength: High share rate (people share quotes via DM), moderate save rate.

Slide-by-Slide Blueprint

| Slide | Type | Content | Design Rules | |-------|------|---------|-------------| | 1 | Cover | Theme statement. "5 frases que mudaram minha forma de pensar sobre [topic]." | Clean design. Theme text prominent. No quote on the cover. | | 2-7 | Quotes | One quote per slide. Quote text (15-30 words) + attribution (name, optional title or context). | Quote in large, elegant typography. Attribution smaller, below or beside. Consistent layout. Optional: decorative quotation marks. | | 8 | CTA | "Qual frase mais te impactou? Comenta o numero" + "Manda pra alguem que precisa ler isso". | Engagement CTA — asking them to pick a favorite drives comments. |

Quote Selection Rules

Curate for coherence — all quotes should orbit the same theme
Mix well-known and lesser-known sources for freshness
Avoid over-quoted cliches ("Be the change you wish to see" is not stopping anyone's scroll)
Add context when needed: "Sobre disciplina:" or "Sobre comecar:" before the quote
Attribution is mandatory — unattributed quotes lose credibility

Instagram Rules & Constraints

Hard Limits

| Parameter | Value | Notes | |-----------|-------|-------| | Max slides per carousel | 10 | Instagram enforces this. Plan for 7-10. | | Min slides per carousel | 3 | Fewer than 3 defeats the carousel purpose. | | Optimal aspect ratio | 4:5 (1080x1350px) | Takes maximum vertical feed space. More visibility = more engagement. | | Alternative ratios | 1:1 (1080x1080), 9:16 (1080x1920 for Stories) | Square for clean aesthetic, 9:16 for Story-adapted carousels. | | Max file size per image | 30MB | Stay well under this. | | Supported formats | JPEG, PNG | PNG for text-heavy slides (sharper). JPEG for photo-heavy. |

Typography Constraints

| Element | Minimum Size | Recommended Size | Notes | |---------|-------------|-----------------|-------| | Body text | 28px | 32-36px | Must be legible on a phone screen held at arm's length. | | Headlines | 48px | 56-72px | Larger = more scroll-stopping power. | | Cover hook | 56px | 64-96px | The cover text should dominate the slide. | | Caption/attribution | 20px | 24-28px | For sources, fine print, or secondary info. | | Progress indicator | 14px | 16-18px | Small but visible. |

Content Density Rules

| Metric | Limit | Rationale | |--------|-------|-----------| | Words per slide (content) | Max 50 | More than 50 words = wall of text, people skip. | | Words per slide (cover) | Max 7 | Cover must be scannable in under 1 second. | | Bullet points per slide | Max 4 | 3 is ideal. More than 4 loses readability. | | Words per bullet | Max 12 | Bullets are scannable fragments, not sentences. | | Ideas per slide | 1 | One concept. One takeaway. Period. |

Cover Slide Mastery

The cover slide is the single most important element of your carousel. It determines whether someone swipes or scrolls past. Invest 50% of your creative energy here.

Cover Slide Principles

One message, large text. The cover should communicate a single idea that creates a knowledge gap or emotional reaction.
3-7 words maximum. If your cover needs more than 7 words, you haven't distilled the hook enough.
Curiosity over information. The cover's job is NOT to inform — it is to make them swipe. The information comes on slides 2+.
No metadata on the cover. Never waste cover space on "Slide 1 de 7", "Deslize para o lado", or "Novo post". The user knows how carousels work.
Visual dominance. Text should occupy 60-80% of the visual weight of the cover. Background should support, not compete.

Hook Patterns That Work

| Pattern | Template | Example | |---------|----------|---------| | Error/Mistake | "X erros que [negative consequence]" | "5 erros que matam seu engajamento" | | How-To + Result | "Como [result] em [timeframe]" | "Como dobrar seus saves em 30 dias" | | Stop Doing | "Pare de [common mistake]" | "Pare de postar sem estrategia" | | Number + Bold Claim | "[Number] [things] que [unexpected outcome]" | "3 habitos que separam amadores de profissionais" | | Question | "[Provocative question]?" | "Voce esta jogando conteudo fora?" | | Contrarian | "[Common belief] esta errado" | "Postar todo dia nao funciona" | | Confession | "Eu [vulnerable admission]" | "Eu perdi 10k seguidores em 1 mes" | | Challenge | "Voce consegue [difficult thing]?" | "Voce consegue criar conteudo sem essas 5 muletas?" |

Cover Slide Anti-Patterns

"Deslize para o lado" — patronizing, wastes space
"Novo post!" — zero information, zero curiosity
"Slide 1 de 7" — metadata, not content
"Voce precisa ver isso" — vague clickbait
Using a stock photo as the cover with small overlaid text — text must dominate
Putting the CTA on the cover — kills curiosity, inverts the funnel
Using more than 2 fonts on the cover — visual noise

CTA Patterns (Last Slide)

The CTA slide converts passive viewers into engaged followers. Every carousel must end with a clear call to action.

Primary CTA Templates

| CTA Type | Template | Algorithm Signal | |----------|----------|-----------------| | Save | "Salva esse post pra consultar depois" | Saves (strongest IG signal) | | Share | "Manda pra alguem que precisa ouvir isso" | Shares (second strongest signal) | | Follow | "Segue @handle pra mais conteudo como esse" | Follower growth | | Comment | "Comenta [emoji] se voce ja passou por isso" | Comments (engagement depth) | | Link | "Link na bio pra [specific resource]" | Off-platform conversion |

Double CTA Strategy

Always combine two CTAs for maximum algorithm impact:

Primary: Save + Follow
"Salva esse post pra revisar depois e segue @handle pra mais conteudo como esse"

Primary: Share + Comment
"Manda pra um amigo que precisa e comenta qual dica voce vai aplicar primeiro"

Primary: Save + Comment
"Salva pra consultar e me conta: qual ponto mais te surpreendeu?"

CTA Slide Design Rules

CTA text should be visually distinct from content slides (different layout, centered, or boxed)
Include the brand handle (@handle) prominently
Keep the CTA under 25 words total
Use imperative verbs: "Salva", "Manda", "Segue", "Comenta"
Optional: include a small visual summary or key takeaway alongside the CTA

Anti-Patterns (What NOT To Do)

Content Anti-Patterns

| Anti-Pattern | Why It Fails | Fix | |-------------|-------------|-----| | More than 50 words per slide | Wall of text, people skip | Ruthlessly edit. One idea per slide. | | Font smaller than 28px | Illegible on mobile | Increase font size, reduce text amount. | | No visual hierarchy | Everything looks the same, nothing stands out | Use 3 levels: headline (large, bold), body (medium, regular), caption (small, light). | | Inconsistent design between slides | Looks unprofessional, breaks immersion | Use a template. Same fonts, colors, layout grid across all slides. | | No progress indicator | Reader has no sense of position or completion | Add dots, slide numbers, or a progress bar. | | CTA on the first slide | Kills curiosity, puts the ask before the value | CTA belongs on the LAST slide only. | | Generic stock photo backgrounds | Looks like every other carousel | Use solid colors, gradients, or brand-specific imagery. |

Design Anti-Patterns

| Anti-Pattern | Why It Fails | Fix | |-------------|-------------|-----| | More than 3 fonts | Visual chaos | 1 headline font + 1 body font. Max 2. | | Text touching slide edges | Looks cramped, gets clipped on some devices | Maintain 60-80px safe margin on all sides. | | Low contrast text | Fails accessibility, hard to read outdoors | Minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for body text, 3:1 for large text. | | Decorative elements competing with text | Distracts from the message | Background elements at 10-20% opacity max. Text always wins. | | Different text alignment per slide | Inconsistent, disorienting | Pick one alignment (left or center) and stick with it. | | Busy gradients behind text | Reduces readability | Gradient as accent only, never behind body text. Use solid overlay if needed. |

Strategic Anti-Patterns

| Anti-Pattern | Why It Fails | Fix | |-------------|-------------|-----| | Carousel with only 2-3 slides | Too short for algorithm engagement | Minimum 5 slides for meaningful swipe-through. | | All text, no visual variety | Monotonous swipe experience | Vary slide types: text, icon+text, quote, visual example. | | No carousel type / mixed structure | Confusing narrative, reader drops off | Pick one structure and follow it consistently. | | Repurposing a blog post word-for-word | Too dense, not designed for slide format | Rewrite for slides: one idea per slide, visual hierarchy, scannable text. | | Same CTA on every post | Audience fatigue | Rotate CTAs: save, share, comment, follow. |

Palette by Niche

Color palette selection significantly impacts carousel performance. The right palette signals the content niche before a single word is read.

Tech / SaaS

palette:
  background: "#0a0a0a" or "#1a1a2e"
  text_primary: "#ffffff"
  text_secondary: "#a0a0b0"
  accent_primary: "#6c5ce7"  # purple
  accent_secondary: "#00cec9"  # teal
  style: dark-premium or gradient
  mood: "innovative, technical, premium"

Health / Wellness

palette:
  background: "#ffffff" or "#f5f5f0"
  text_primary: "#2d3436"
  text_secondary: "#636e72"
  accent_primary: "#00b894"  # green
  accent_secondary: "#dfe6e9"  # light gray
  style: clean-educator or minimal
  mood: "natural, trustworthy, calming"

Finance / Business

palette:
  background: "#0a1628" or "#ffffff"
  text_primary: "#ffffff" or "#1a1a2e"
  text_secondary: "#8395a7"
  accent_primary: "#d4a574"  # gold
  accent_secondary: "#2c3e50"  # navy
  style: dark-premium or minimal
  mood: "authoritative, premium, trustworthy"

Creative / Design

palette:
  background: "#ff6b6b" or "#a29bfe" or "#fdcb6e"  # vibrant solid color
  text_primary: "#ffffff" or "#2d3436"
  text_secondary: varies by background
  accent_primary: contrasting vibrant
  accent_secondary: complementary vibrant
  style: vibrant-creator or bold
  mood: "energetic, bold, expressive"

Education

palette:
  background: "#f8f9fa" or "#edf2f7"
  text_primary: "#2d3436"
  text_secondary: "#636e72"
  accent_primary: "#0984e3"  # blue
  accent_secondary: "#74b9ff"  # light blue
  style: clean-educator
  mood: "accessible, clear, professional"

Personal Brand

palette:
  background: "from brand-voice.yaml → visual_identity.colors.background"
  text_primary: "from brand-voice.yaml → visual_identity.colors.text"
  text_secondary: derived from text_primary at 60% opacity
  accent_primary: "from brand-voice.yaml → visual_identity.colors.primary"
  accent_secondary: "from brand-voice.yaml → visual_identity.colors.secondary"
  style: auto-selected from brand tone
  mood: "consistent with brand personality"

Palette Application Rules

Cover slide: Accent color dominant (background or large text). Maximum visual impact.
Content slides: Neutral background, accent for headlines and icons only. Readability first.
CTA slide: Accent color returns prominently. Bookend visual consistency with cover.
Never use more than 4 colors in a single carousel (background, text, primary accent, secondary accent).
Test in dark mode: Many users browse Instagram in dark mode. Ensure colors work on both light and dark device screens.

Narrative Progression Framework

Every carousel, regardless of type, follows a fundamental narrative arc. This framework ensures the swipe experience feels satisfying rather than random.

The 5-Stage Progression

HOOK → PROBLEM → SOLUTION(S) → PROOF/EXAMPLE → CTA

| Stage | Slides | Purpose | Engagement Goal | |-------|--------|---------|----------------| | Hook | Slide 1 | Stop the scroll. Create a gap. | Impression → Swipe | | Problem | Slide 2 | Frame why this matters. Make it personal. | Swipe → Investment | | Solution(s) | Slides 3-7 | Deliver the value. One point per slide. | Investment → Time Spent | | Proof/Example | Slide 8-9 | Validate with data, screenshots, or story. | Time Spent → Trust | | CTA | Slide 10 | Convert attention into action. | Trust → Save/Share/Follow |

Progression Rules

Never front-load all value on slide 2. Distribute insights across slides to maximize swipe-through.
Create micro-hooks between slides. End each slide with an implicit "and here's another one..." to pull them forward.
The middle slides must maintain quality. Slides 4-6 are where drop-off happens. Keep these strong.
Slide 2 is the commitment point. If they swipe past slide 1 and read slide 2, they are likely to complete the carousel. Slide 2 must reward the initial swipe.
The last content slide before the CTA should be the strongest point. It is the freshest in memory when they reach the CTA.

Engagement Triggers

Specific techniques to increase saves, shares, comments, and swipe-through rate.

Question Triggers (Drive Comments)

Place on slide 2 or the CTA slide to maximize comment engagement:

| Trigger | Example | Where | |---------|---------|-------| | Relatable question | "Voce ja cometeu esse erro?" | Slide 2 | | This-or-that | "Voce prefere [A] ou [B]?" | CTA slide | | Self-identification | "Comenta 1 se [option A], 2 se [option B]" | CTA slide | | Confession prompt | "Conta aqui: qual desses voce ainda faz?" | CTA slide | | Opinion poll | "Concorda ou discorda? Comenta ai" | CTA slide |

Data Triggers (Build Credibility)

Concrete numbers stop the scroll and build trust:

| Trigger | Example | Where | |---------|---------|-------| | Surprising statistic | "87% dos marketers nao medem saves" | Slide 2 or 3 | | Specific result | "Cresci 4.200 seguidores em 60 dias" | Cover or slide 2 | | Time-bound claim | "Em 30 dias, sem anuncios" | Cover modifier | | Comparison metric | "2x mais engajamento que posts estaticos" | Supporting slide |

Contrast Triggers (Create Visual/Conceptual Tension)

| Trigger | Example | Where | |---------|---------|-------| | Before/after | Visual comparison of transformation | Slides 2-3 vs 6-7 | | Right/wrong | "O que a maioria faz vs o que funciona" | Point slides | | Myth/reality | "Mito: postar mais = crescer mais. Realidade: ..." | Slide 2-3 | | Expectation/result | "O que eu esperava vs o que aconteceu" | Storytelling slides |

Curiosity Triggers (Increase Swipe-Through)

| Trigger | Example | Where | |---------|---------|-------| | Open loop | "E o terceiro erro e o mais perigoso..." | End of a slide, resolved on next | | Numbered list promise | "7 ferramentas (a #5 mudou meu jogo)" | Cover — promises value ahead | | "Voce sabia que..." | Unexpected fact that reframes the topic | Slide 2 | | Controversy/contrarian | "[Common belief] esta errado. Veja por que:" | Cover or slide 2 | | Incomplete revelation | "O segredo esta em..." (continued on next slide) | Any content slide |

Emoji as Visual Anchors

Emoji serve as rapid visual cues, not decoration. Rules:

1 emoji per headline or key point maximum
Use consistently: same emoji for same concept type across slides
Functional emoji: checkmarks for tips, X for errors, arrows for steps, numbers for lists
Never: emoji chains, random emoji, emoji replacing words entirely
Recommended set: check, x, arrow_right, brain, bulb, fire, chart, star, warning, point_right

Platform-Specific Optimization

Best Posting Times for Carousels

Carousels need more time-on-content than static posts. Post when your audience has time to swipe, not just scroll.

| Day | Best Times (BRT) | Notes | |-----|------------------|-------| | Monday | 11:00-13:00 | People settling into the week, consuming content at lunch | | Tuesday-Thursday | 11:00-13:00, 19:00-21:00 | Lunch break + evening wind-down are peak carousel times | | Friday | 10:00-12:00 | Morning focus, engagement drops after lunch as weekend starts | | Saturday | 10:00-12:00 | Casual morning browsing | | Sunday | 17:00-20:00 | Sunday evening prep-for-the-week consumption |

Important: These are baselines. Always check your own Instagram Insights for your specific audience's active hours.

Caption Strategy

The caption complements the carousel — it does not repeat it.

Caption Structure

[Hook line — first 125 characters visible before "...mais"]

[1-2 paragraphs expanding on the carousel's topic. Add context,
a personal angle, or bonus information not in the slides.]

[CTA that mirrors the last slide's CTA]

.
.
.
[Hashtags — in a separate block, visually separated]

Caption Rules

First line is the hook. It appears below the carousel in the feed. Must complement the cover slide, not repeat it.
Add value beyond the slides. The caption should give a reason to read even after swiping through all slides.
Include a CTA in the caption. Reinforce the slide CTA: "Salva esse post" or "Marca alguem".
Keep it scannable. Line breaks between paragraphs. No walls of text.
Caption length: 300-800 characters for carousels. Longer than static posts, shorter than Reels.

Hashtag Strategy for Carousel Posts

| Category | Count | Examples | |----------|-------|---------| | Niche-specific | 3-5 | #marketingdigitalbr, #dicasdeinstagram, #conteudoeducativo | | Topic-specific | 3-5 | #carouselpost, #dicasparaempreendedores, #socialmediatips | | Branded | 1-2 | #suamarca, #suaserie | | Total | 8-12 | Sweet spot. More than 15 looks spammy. |

Hashtag Placement

Option A: At the end of the caption, separated by line breaks
Option B: In the first comment (cleaner caption, same reach)
Never: Inline with caption text ("Aprenda #marketing #digital hoje")

Alt Text for Accessibility

Every carousel slide should have descriptive alt text. This also improves discoverability through Instagram search.

Alt Text Rules

Describe the visual content AND the text content of each slide
Format: "Slide [N] of [carousel title]: [description of visual] with text reading '[key text]'"
Keep under 100 characters per slide
Do not stuff keywords — write for screen reader users first
Instagram allows alt text per image in the carousel

Alt Text Example

Slide 1: Cover slide with dark background and large white text reading "5 erros que matam seu engajamento"
Slide 2: Infographic showing 87% statistic with text "87% dos perfis cometem pelo menos 3 desses erros"
Slide 3: Educational slide with warning icon and text "Erro 1: Postar sem horario estrategico"

Cross-Posting Adaptation

Carousel content can be repurposed, but each platform has different rules.

| Platform | Format | Key Differences | |----------|--------|----------------| | LinkedIn | PDF carousel (document post) | Professional tone, more text per slide acceptable (up to 80 words), no emoji anchors, add source citations | | Twitter/X | Thread or image series (4 max per tweet) | Condense to key points, more provocative hooks, no progress indicators needed | | Pinterest | Long-form infographic (2:3 or 1:2.1 ratio) | Combine all slides into one tall image, keyword-rich description, link to source | | TikTok | Photo carousel or slideshow video | Add trending audio, text overlays instead of embedded text, vertical 9:16 format | | Blog | Embedded or expanded into article | Expand each slide into a paragraph, add internal links, SEO-optimize |

Cross-Posting Anti-Patterns

Posting the exact same images on LinkedIn (different audience, different tone)
Posting Instagram carousels as Twitter images without condensing the message
Forgetting to adjust aspect ratio for Pinterest (Instagram 4:5 crops wrong on Pinterest)
Not removing Instagram-specific CTAs ("Salva esse post") when posting elsewhere

Output Contract

Carousel Output Schema

output_contract:
  skill: instagram-carousel
  format: structured_slide_plan
  required_sections:
    - slide_plan:
        type: string  # carousel type (educativo|storytelling|listicle|antes-depois|tutorial|quote-series)
        total_slides: integer  # 3-10
        slides:
          - slide_number: integer
            type: string  # cover | content | context | transition | summary | cta
            headline: string  # max 10 words (7 for cover)
            body: string  # max 50 words per slide
            bullets: list  # max 4 items, max 12 words each
            icon: string  # emoji or icon name
            cta_text: string  # for CTA slides only
            cta_action: string  # save | share | follow | comment | link
    - design_spec:
        palette: string  # niche palette name or custom
        style: string  # minimal | bold | gradient | clean-educator | dark-premium | vibrant-creator
        dimensions: string  # "1080x1350" default
        fonts:
          headline: string
          body: string
    - quality_checks:
        cover_words: integer  # must be <= 7
        max_words_per_slide: integer  # must be <= 50
        total_slides: integer  # must be 3-10
        has_progress_indicator: boolean
        has_cta: boolean
        anti_slop_passed: boolean
        brand_voice_matched: boolean
        visual_hierarchy_consistent: boolean
  validation:
    anti_slop: true
    brand_voice: true
    platform_constraints: true
    accessibility_alt_text: true