Instagram Tests New Collaborative Carousel Feature

03-Nov-2023

Instagram is currently testing a new feature that allows users to collaborate with friends on carousel posts.

According to The Verge on Monday (Oct 30, 2023), when users upload a carousel, Instagram will offer a new option that lets followers submit their own photos and videos to the post.

However, these submitted photos and videos will not be added automatically. The original poster must approve each contribution before it appears in the carousel.

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri shared a screenshot of the new feature on Threads. Called the Collaborative Carousel, the feature includes an “add to post” button located in the bottom-left corner.

Expanding Instagram’s Collaboration Tools

Instagram has long supported collaboration features. Since 2021, creators have been able to co-author Feed posts or Reels with other creators.

Collaborative posts appear in the feeds of both creators’ followers, and all engagement metrics—including comments, views, and likes—are shared equally.

This collaboration tool can be activated from the tagging screen, where the invited creator must accept the collaboration request.

In March 2023, Instagram also launched collaborative collections, allowing users to save posts together. To use the feature, simply tap the bookmark icon on a post, select the option to create a collaborative collection, name it, and activate “Allow friends to join this collection.”

Users can add up to 250 people to a collaborative collection.