Carousel ads are ads that show several images or videos in one swipeable unit, each card with its own link. Advertisers use them to show more than one product, or to tell a story in steps.
What Meta allows
Meta's carousel format lets you show 2 or more images and videos in a single ad, each with its own headline, description, link and call to action. Meta's carousel design specifications set the minimum at 2 cards and the maximum at 10.
Carousel ads can run in several ad placements across Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and Meta Audience Network. Check the preview for each placement in Ads Manager before you publish.
Because every card has its own headline, link and call to action, write each one for its own card. Send each card to the page that matches it, so a shopper who taps the blue jacket lands on the blue jacket, not on a general category page.
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Try for Free ($0 Trial)When a carousel beats a single image
- A catalog. Each card shows a different product and sends the shopper to that product's page.
- A sequence. The cards walk through steps, such as a before and after, a three-part offer or a how-to.
- One product, several angles. Each card shows a different benefit, so you learn which one people stop on.
A single image or video is usually the better choice when you have one message. A carousel earns its extra cards only when each card gives the viewer a reason to swipe.
Example. A candle shop runs a carousel of its five best sellers, one per card, each linking to its own product page, with the strongest seller first. It compares the click-through rate with its single-image ad to see whether the extra choice pays off.
In Madgicx. Creative Insights breaks down what makes your winning creatives win, so you can pick which images and videos deserve a card.
FAQ
How many cards can a carousel ad have?
A Meta carousel ad needs at least 2 cards and can have up to 10. Put the strongest card first, because many people never swipe past it.
Are carousel ads better than single image ads?
Not by default. A carousel suits a catalog or a story told in steps, while a single image suits one clear message. Run both in a creative test and let your own results decide.
Can a carousel ad use video?
Yes. Meta's format covers images and videos, and a single carousel can mix the two.
Where do carousel ads show up?
They can appear across Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and Meta Audience Network. The exact placements depend on your objective and settings.
Related
- Related terms: Ad placement, Call to action (CTA), Click-through rate (CTR)
- In depth: Facebook carousel ads guide
Sources
- About carousel ads, Meta Business Help Center
- Design specifications for carousel ads, Meta Business Help Center
