- Featured article
- People at Skills360 28 - Oct 2025 | 8 min read
Instagram has changed significantly from just being a photo-sharing app, now it's a space for storytelling that is dominated and affected by algorithms, trends, and content formats. For creators, marketers, and businesses, understanding how the Instagram algorithm works in 2023 is important to remain visible and thrive in a more competitive environment.
At Skills360, we take a detailed look at the data-driven aspects of social media in our Instagram marketing course in Karachi, and educate learners not only on the topic of creative content, but how the algorithms and mechanics impact what gets seen or shared in the app. One of the most talked-about debates in current Instagram strategy is: Which performs better, Reels or Carousels? Let's break it down!
Since its launch, Instagram's algorithm has changed, but 2025 will be much more active and user-centric. The algorithm no longer simply measures "likes" or "comments" but now emphasizes watch time, saves, and other positive interactions that suggest actual interest.
The app's machine learning model assesses how users respond to content formats (Reels, Carousels, Stories, and single posts) and forecasts more of what they will like next, or in other words, the algorithm no longer rewards activity but rewards attention.
Here are some of the "visibility" drivers today:
Relevance: Content that aligns with user interests and previous engagement.
Consistency: Posting consistency fosters trustworthiness and elevates ranking.
Authenticity: Authentic and relatable content performs better than overly polished posts.
Variety of formats: Multiple formats ultimately reach more viewers.
In 2025, brands and creators need to be thoughtful in storytelling while still comprehending the data and that is where Reels and Carousels come into the mix.
Instagram Reels have shown to be the most powerful method of gaining visibility on the platform. Created to challenge TikTok, Reels have emerged to be the most algorithmically beneficial feature of Instagram because of their shareability and discoverability.
Why Reels Will Still Reign in 2025:
High Visibility Butter: Reels have visibility on multiple areas of the platform, including the Reels tab, the Explore page and even your main feeds, which makes for unrivalled visibility.
Watch Time & Loop: The algorithm favours content that keeps viewers on the content until the very end and other content that plays automatically. Edited looping videos in particular, are sure to outperform still content.
Tradable Trends: Partaking in trendy audio or visual formats will help bring engagement to your content. Instagram’s AI more often than not prefers to promote content that support trends in real time.
Concise Storytelling: The target audiences today are looking for snackable content. In less than 30 seconds you can communicate humour, education, and inspiration, allowing for an easier time for brands to create a quick and memorable impact.
If you’re a marketer learning through Skills360’s Instagram marketing course in Karachi, Reels are the ideal platform to showcase creativity and use trend based growth strategies.
Whereas Reels create viral content, Carousels create depth. Their more engaging swipeable, multi-image format prompts users to stick around longer and catalyze engagement and thoughtful interactions.
Why Carousels Are Still Powerful:
Extended Attention Span: Every swipe counts as engagement. Carousels encourage users to literally linger on your post, which signals to the algorithm that content must be highly valuable.
Educational Value: Carousels are helpful in how-to guides, infographics, or storytelling formats. Carousels can accommodate more sprawling ideas, making them useful for communicating less apparent ideas.
Saves over Likes: The most recent metrics introduced by Instagram show that saves (bookmarking your post for reference) are now a more significant indicator for quality than simply likes. Educational carousels are often saved for reference, extending the life of the post.
Repurposable Content: A single carousel can also be reused across different platforms (LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc.) for all of your cross-channel marketing consistency.
Combining a content strategy ensures that you are addressing both your algorithmic goals and audience expectations. Here are four methods you can combo your Reels and Carousels to make sure you are doing both effectively:
1. Use one to follow another
A Reel is a good way to get new followers in, a fast tip or trend will suffice. Follow it up with a Carousel on the same topic. You can get more visibility and more engagement with both.
2. Re-purpose a Reel to use as a Carousel
If a Reel did well, take that and make it a Carousel. Take the topical points from the video to use as a slide! This is a great way to capture users who want to read instead of watch.
3. Tie storytelling between Reels and Carousels
Use Carousels to tell a story between posts and insert Reels to show the visual storytelling! This provides your brand with something fresh, but brings coherence to your brand story.
4. Review engagements separately
Don't measure a Reel against a Carousel based purely on likes. Measure Reels based on reach and watch time and measure Carousels based on saves and shares. Each one serves a different purpose in your funnel.
Although format is important to the algorithm, consistency, relevance, and connection with your audience will always be rewarded. Here's some evergreen advice to "algorithm-proof" your presence in 2025:
At Skills360, we are offering an Instagram marketing course in Karachi that will help learners know how to navigate these factors as they evolve, we cover the algorithm's psychology and performance analytics, and much more.
Numerous brands across UAE and Pakistan have already adopted the hybrid approach.
This hybrid approach not only develops brand storytelling, but also reaches multiple segments of the audience, the ultimate mode of sustainable growth on Instagram.
It's anticipated that by the end of 2025, Instagram's reliance on AI-based personalisation will only deepen, resulting in user feeds that look completely different as a result of the engagement history of the user. Reels will continue to take the lead in discovery but Carousels will still be essential for engaging and providing followers with educational, relatable content.
Creative creators and marketers who know how to strike that balance will remain the most relevant.
Figuring out the Instagram algorithm in 2025 isn't just about deciding between Reels and Carousels, it's about knowing the role of each and using them with a strategy. Reels earn attention, Carousels earn trust, and trust and attention together create sustainable engagement.
If you are prepared to master both aspects of Instagram growth from video creation based on the latest trends to measuring success from your content, register in Skills360's Instagram marketing course in Karachi. Learn how to develop campaigns based on data, analyze algorithm changes, and create a content strategy that will work in 2025 and forward.
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