LinkedIn’s carousel feature allows you to showcase multiple pages of content in a scrolling format. This can be an effective way to share more information and keep your audience engaged. However, there are limits to how much you can include in a carousel post. In this article, we’ll examine the carousel format and look at the page and word count limits. We’ll also provide tips for creating effective carousel posts within LinkedIn’s guidelines.
What is the LinkedIn Carousel Format?
The LinkedIn carousel is a scrolling content format that allows you to include multiple pages of information in a single post. Instead of being limited to just text and an image like a regular post, a carousel post can contain up to 10 pages of content.
Each page in the carousel can have its own text, images, videos, and links. Viewers scroll horizontally through the carousel to consume all the pages.
This format is ideal for showcasing detailed content like:
– Step-by-step guides or tutorials
– Research reports, whitepapers, or eBooks
– Product catalogs or service offerings
– Event agendas or conference materials
– Company timelines or history
The scrolling pages keep viewers engaged as they click through your content.
LinkedIn Carousel Page Limit
LinkedIn allows up to 10 pages in a single carousel post. So you can share a substantial amount of content while keeping it organized and consumable for your audience.
Each page can contain up to 2,000 characters. That includes all text, links, @mentions, and hashtags. We’ll discuss the character limits in more detail later.
LinkedIn Carousel Word Limit
In addition to page limits, LinkedIn also imposes word limits for carousel posts:
– Total word count: 30,000 words
– Per page word limit: 3,000 words
This gives you significant flexibility in how you use those 10 available pages. You could maximize each page with 3,000 words. Or you may opt for a combination of longer and shorter pages.
No matter how you divide it, the total words across all carousel pages cannot exceed 30,000.
Tips for Creating Effective Carousel Posts
When designing your LinkedIn carousel content, keep these tips in mind:
Keep page word counts consistent
Try to avoid huge fluctuations between short and long pages. Consistent page lengths help readers predict how much time it will take to click through your content.
Organize content strategically
Group related information into digestible chunks. For instance, you may devote 2-3 pages to an overview or introduction before diving into detailed content. Breaking down your content into logical sections maximizes the carousel format.
Include relevant visuals
Images, graphics, and videos help reinforce key points and improve engagement. But don’t go overboard with unnecessary visuals just for the sake of including them.
Write scannable content
Bulleted lists, headings, and bold text enable readers to scan your pages easily. Scannable content improves the carousel experience versus big blocks of unbroken text.
Check character counts
Keep close tabs on the 2,000 characters per page limit. This includes text, links, @mentions, hashtags, spaces, and punctuation. Go over the limit and LinkedIn will truncate your page.
Formatting Content for LinkedIn Carousels
To create an effective, compliant carousel, follow these formatting guidelines:
Write a strong intro page
The first page acts like your regular post content. Use those initial 2,000 characters to introduce your topic and entice readers to click through the carousel.
Divide information into pages
Break down your content into sections of 2,000-3,000 words or less per page. Organize pages logically for the best flow.
Use text formatting for scannability
Apply formatting elements like bullets, numbers, bold, italics, and headings. This improves scannability and helps convey meaning.
Add relevant visuals
Include images, charts, graphics, and videos where appropriate. But don’t overdo it, as too many visuals can seem spammy.
Include links
Links to external resources provide value for readers. But stay within the 2,000 character per page limit.
Check characters and words
After drafting your carousel, double check that you don’t exceed the limits for characters per page or total words across all pages.
Benefits of Using LinkedIn Carousels
Carousels offer several advantages compared to regular LinkedIn posts:
– Showcase more content in a scrolling format
– Maintain audience attention with multiple pages
– Organize detailed content into digestible chunks
– Combine text, images, graphics, and video
– Improve engagement with carousel interactivity
When used strategically, carousels help you:
– Demonstrate thought leadership with in-depth content
– Promote gated assets like ebooks, whitepapers, and reports
– Share event agendas, product catalogs, and company info
– Spotlight services and offerings for different audience segments
– Provide educational content like guides, tips, and how-tos
Potential Drawbacks to Avoid
Carousels also come with a few pitfalls to be aware of:
Lengthy scrolling format
Too many pages can make the carousel overly long and tiresome to click through. Keep your content focused and purposeful.
Formatting issues
Invalid formatting like too many characters per page can truncate your content or cause display issues.
Technical difficulties
Some users may experience technical glitches like struggling to scroll or pages not displaying correctly. Test your carousel thoroughly before publishing.
Dropoff at later pages
Viewers may lose interest and drop off rather than clicking through your entire carousel. Keep the most impactful content earlier in the sequence.
By understanding these potential downsides, you can design carousels to maximize effectiveness and minimize friction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about LinkedIn’s carousel format:
How many carousel posts can you publish?
There are no limits on the number of carousel posts you can publish. You can use the carousel format for all your LinkedIn posts if you wish.
Can carousel posts only be shared on LinkedIn?
Carousel posts are designed specifically for LinkedIn. They cannot be repurposed off platform. The scrolling pages only display properly within the LinkedIn feed.
What’s the ideal number of pages?
On average, 5-7 pages is optimal. This balances content volume with prevention of dropoff. But the ideal length depends on your specific content.
Do all pages have to follow the same template?
No, you can customize each page with different text, visuals, and formatting as needed. Consistent branding is recommended, but customization keeps things interesting.
Can I include video?
Yes, videos can be embedded within the carousel pages, just like regular LinkedIn video posts. Videos are subject to the 2,000 character per page limits.
Conclusion
LinkedIn’s carousel feature enables you to share extensive content in a format optimized for the platform. You can include up to 10 pages with up to 3,000 words per page, for a maximum of 30,000 total words. Effective carousels have consistent page length, logical organization, quality visuals, and scannable text. Avoid going over the character limits or adding unnecessary pages and images. Used strategically, carousels help showcase thought leadership content, gated assets, and detailed company information. Just be aware of potential drawbacks like dropoff and technical difficulties. Follow LinkedIn’s guidelines and best practices, and carousels can boost engagement with your LinkedIn audience.