How to Create Engaging LinkedIn Carousel Posts in 2025

How to Post a Carousel on LinkedIn:

A Guide for Maximizing Engagement

LinkedIn carousel posts have become a game-changer for professionals who want to share detailed content in an engaging, swipeable format. Unlike traditional single-image posts, these multi-slide presentations allow you to tell a complete story, share step-by-step processes, or present data in digestible chunks that keep your audience engaged longer.

The current method for creating a LinkedIn carousel post involves uploading a multi-page PDF document, which LinkedIn automatically converts into a swipeable carousel experience. This approach has replaced the native image carousel feature that was discontinued in December 2023, but it offers even more flexibility for content creators and marketers.

Whether you're a social media manager trying to boost engagement rates, a small business owner looking to showcase your services, or a content creator wanting to share educational content, mastering LinkedIn carousel posts can significantly amplify your reach and engagement. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about creating compelling carousel posts that drive results.

What Are LinkedIn Carousel Posts and Why Use Them?

Defining LinkedIn Carousel Posts

A LinkedIn carousel post functions as a slideshow where multiple pages of content are displayed in a single post that users can swipe through. The current method involves creating a multi-page document (typically a PDF) and uploading it to LinkedIn, where each page becomes an individual slide in the carousel format. This approach gives you the ability to share comprehensive information while maintaining visual appeal and user engagement.

Before December 2023, LinkedIn offered native image and video carousel options, but these features were removed from the platform. The PDF carousel method has emerged as the preferred workaround, allowing content creators to maintain the interactive carousel experience that audiences love. This format works particularly well for tutorials, case studies, infographics, and any content that benefits from a sequential presentation.

The beauty of this format lies in its ability to present complex information in bite-sized, easily digestible pieces. Rather than overwhelming your audience with a wall of text, you can guide them through your content step by step, creating a more engaging and memorable experience.

Why Carousels Boost Engagement and Reach

The interactive nature of LinkedIn carousel posts creates a significant advantage over static content formats. When users swipe through your slides, they're actively engaging with your content rather than passively scrolling past it. This active engagement sends positive signals to LinkedIn's algorithm, which can boost your post's visibility and reach.

Studies show that carousel posts on LinkedIn generate up to 3x more engagement than single-image posts. The increased dwell time - the amount of time users spend viewing your content - is a key factor in this success. When someone takes the time to swipe through multiple slides, they're investing more attention in your message, which often translates to higher rates of likes, comments, and shares.

"Visual content is processed 60,000 times faster than text by the human brain, and carousel posts take this a step further by creating an interactive experience that keeps users engaged longer." - Neil Patel, Digital Marketing Expert

The storytelling potential of carousels also contributes to their effectiveness. You can create a narrative arc that builds suspense, reveals information gradually, or presents a logical progression of ideas. This storytelling approach keeps users engaged throughout the entire carousel, increasing the likelihood they'll remember your content and take action.

What makes carousel posts particularly valuable for professional networking?

The format allows you to demonstrate expertise while providing genuine value to your network. You can share industry insights, explain complex processes, or showcase results in a way that's both informative and visually appealing.

Organic LinkedIn Carousel Posts vs. Carousel Ads: Understanding the Differences

Organic Carousel Posts (PDF Document Method)

Creating an organic LinkedIn carousel post requires uploading a multi-page document through the standard posting interface. LinkedIn accepts several file formats:

• PDF (preferred for design integrity)
• PPT and PPTX
• DOC and DOCX

When you upload your document, LinkedIn automatically processes it and creates a swipeable carousel where each page becomes a slide.

This organic approach offers several advantages for content creators and businesses. There's no cost involved, making it accessible to everyone regardless of budget constraints. You can share detailed information, educational content, or showcase your expertise without any advertising spend. The format works exceptionally well for thought leadership content, industry insights, and educational materials that position you as an authority in your field.

The organic carousel method also allows for more creative freedom in design and content structure. You're not constrained by the specific requirements of advertising formats, giving you flexibility to experiment with different layouts, color schemes, and content approaches. This freedom makes it easier to maintain brand consistency while creating content that resonates with your specific audience.

LinkedIn Carousel Ads (Paid Format)

LinkedIn carousel ads represent the paid advertising option for businesses looking to reach targeted audiences with specific marketing objectives. This format requires uploading individual image files (JPG, PNG, or non-animated GIF) rather than a single document. Each image functions as a separate card within the carousel, and you can assign unique headlines, descriptions, and clickable links to each card.

The paid carousel format offers precise targeting capabilities that aren't available with organic posts. You can define your audience based on job titles, industries, company sizes, and other professional criteria. This targeting precision makes carousel ads particularly effective for B2B marketing campaigns, lead generation, and promoting specific products or services to decision-makers.

Carousel ads also provide detailed analytics and performance metrics that help you optimize your campaigns. You can track which cards perform best, measure click-through rates, and analyze conversion data to refine your approach. The ability to include clickable links on each card makes it easier to drive traffic to specific landing pages or product pages, supporting direct marketing objectives.

How do you decide between organic and paid carousel formats?

Consider your goals and resources. Organic carousels work best for building thought leadership, sharing educational content, and engaging your existing network. Paid carousels are ideal when you need to reach new audiences, generate leads, or promote specific products with measurable ROI.

Mastering the Specifications and Format for LinkedIn Carousels

Specifications for Organic Carousel Posts (PDF)

Understanding the technical requirements for organic LinkedIn carousel posts ensures your content displays properly across all devices. LinkedIn accepts several file formats for carousel posts, including PDF, PPT, PPTX, DOC, and DOCX files. The PDF format is generally preferred because it maintains design integrity and ensures consistent appearance across different devices and operating systems.

File size limitations allow up to 100MB per upload, which provides plenty of room for high-quality images and graphics. While LinkedIn technically supports documents with up to 300 pages, optimal engagement occurs with 6-12 slides. This range gives you enough space to tell a complete story without overwhelming your audience or causing them to lose interest partway through.

The recommended dimensions for your slides are either square format (1080 x 1080 pixels) or portrait orientation (1080 x 1350 pixels). Square format works well for most professional content and ensures consistent display across desktop and mobile devices. Portrait orientation can be effective for certain types of content but may not display as well on desktop screens.

Color depth and image quality also matter for professional presentation. Use high-resolution images and graphics to ensure your carousel looks crisp and professional. Poor image quality can undermine your credibility, especially when sharing business-related content with professional contacts.

Specifications for LinkedIn Carousel Ads (Images)

LinkedIn carousel ads follow different technical specifications designed to optimize paid advertising performance. Each slide requires a separate image file in JPG, PNG, or non-animated GIF format. The recommended image ratio is 1:1 (square format) at 1080 x 1080 pixels resolution, which ensures consistent display across all LinkedIn advertising placements.

Individual image files cannot exceed 10MB, which is smaller than the organic post limit but still allows for high-quality visuals. You can include between 2-10 cards in a single carousel ad, giving you flexibility to create campaigns of varying lengths based on your messaging needs. Each card can have its own headline (up to 255 characters) and introductory text, allowing for targeted messaging within a single ad.

The advertising format also includes specific text requirements and character limits that help maintain visual consistency and readability. Headlines should be concise and action-oriented, while introductory text should provide context without overwhelming the visual elements. Following these guidelines ensures your ads meet LinkedIn's quality standards and perform well in the competitive advertising environment.

Font choices and text sizing become particularly important in the advertising format since users will view your content on various devices and screen sizes. Use clear, readable fonts and ensure text is large enough to read easily on mobile devices, where many LinkedIn users consume content.

How to Create a High-Converting LinkedIn Carousel Post (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Plan Your Content and Design

Successful LinkedIn carousel posts start with thorough planning that considers both your message and your audience's needs. Follow these essential steps:

1. Define your core objective (educating, sharing insights, promoting services, or establishing thought leadership)
2. Choose your content structure to create logical flow
3. Select design tools that match your skill level and time constraints
4. Set your document dimensions early in the process

Choose your content structure carefully to create a logical flow that keeps readers engaged from the first slide to the last. Consider starting with a compelling hook that addresses a common pain point or promises valuable insights. Plan your middle slides to deliver on that promise with actionable information, data, or step-by-step guidance. End with a strong conclusion that reinforces your key message and includes a clear call-to-action.

Select design tools that match your skill level and time constraints. PostNitro offers AI-powered carousel creation that can generate professional-quality slides in minutes, making it ideal for busy marketers and content creators. For those who prefer more hands-on control, traditional tools like Canva, PowerPoint, or Google Slides provide extensive customization options. Adobe Creative Suite works best for advanced users who need pixel-perfect control over every design element.

Set your document dimensions early in the process to avoid reformatting issues later. Most professionals find that square format (1080 x 1080 pixels) works best for LinkedIn carousel posts because it displays well on both mobile and desktop devices.

What's the secret to keeping readers engaged throughout your entire carousel?

Create a story arc that builds momentum with each slide. Tease upcoming information, ask questions that get answered in later slides, or use numbered lists that create anticipation for the next point.

Step 2: Design Each Slide for Impact

Your first slide serves as the gateway to your entire carousel, making its design absolutely critical for success. Create a compelling headline that clearly communicates the value readers will receive by swiping through your content. Use bold, readable fonts and high-contrast colors to ensure your message stands out in crowded LinkedIn feeds. Include your personal or company branding to build recognition and credibility.

Design your content slides with readability as the top priority. Limit each slide to 25-50 words of text, using bullet points, numbered lists, or short paragraphs to make information easy to scan. Choose fonts that remain readable at small sizes since many users will view your content on mobile devices. Maintain consistent spacing and alignment throughout all slides to create a professional, polished appearance.

Visual elements should:

• Support and enhance your text rather than compete with it
• Use relevant icons, simple graphics, or data visualizations
• Avoid cluttered designs that make focusing difficult
• Utilize white space to draw attention to important information

Brand consistency across all slides helps build recognition and trust with your audience. Use the same color palette, fonts, and design elements throughout your carousel. Include your logo or brand mark in a consistent location on each slide, but keep it subtle enough that it doesn't distract from your content.

Step 3: Export, Upload, and Publish

Once your carousel design is complete, export it as a PDF file to maintain the highest quality and ensure compatibility with LinkedIn's processing system. Before uploading, review each slide carefully to check for typos, formatting issues, or design inconsistencies. A final quality check can save you from publishing content that might damage your professional reputation.

Navigate to LinkedIn and click "Start a post" to begin the publishing process. Instead of selecting the image upload option, click on the document icon to upload your PDF file. LinkedIn will process your document and create a carousel preview that you can review before publishing. Add a descriptive title for your document that helps users understand what they'll find in your carousel.

Write a compelling post caption that complements your carousel content without repeating it exactly. Your caption should include a hook that encourages people to swipe through your slides, relevant hashtags to increase discoverability, and any important links or calls-to-action. Remember that links within your PDF slides won't be clickable, so include any URLs you want people to visit in your post caption.

Consider the timing of your post publication to maximize engagement. LinkedIn users are typically most active during business hours, with peak engagement occurring on Tuesday through Thursday mornings. You can publish immediately or use LinkedIn's scheduling feature to post when your audience is most likely to be online and engaged.

Should you always publish immediately, or is scheduling better for LinkedIn carousel posts?

Scheduling often produces better results because it allows you to post during peak engagement hours when your audience is most active, even if those times don't align with your work schedule.

Tools to Streamline Your LinkedIn Carousel Creation

Design Tools

The right design tools can make the difference between creating carousel posts quickly and spending hours on formatting and design decisions:

• PostNitro: AI-powered carousel generation for busy professionals
• Canva: Excellent middle ground with drag-and-drop interface and templates
• PowerPoint/Google Slides: Familiar interfaces for repurposing presentations
• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced design capabilities for pixel-perfect control

PostNitro stands out as the most efficient option for busy professionals, offering AI-powered carousel generation that creates complete, branded carousel posts in minutes. The platform uses advanced AI to generate both copy and visuals, allowing you to input your topic or key points and receive a finished carousel ready for LinkedIn posting.

Canva provides an excellent middle ground between automation and manual control, offering hundreds of carousel templates specifically designed for LinkedIn. The drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible for users with limited design experience, while still providing enough customization options to create unique, branded content. The platform includes a comprehensive library of stock photos, icons, and graphics that can enhance your carousel posts.

PowerPoint and Google Slides offer familiar interfaces for users who regularly create presentations. These tools work particularly well for content creators who want to repurpose existing presentation materials into LinkedIn carousels. The advantage lies in their widespread availability and the fact that most professionals already know how to use them effectively.

Adobe Creative Suite provides the most advanced design capabilities for users who need pixel-perfect control over every element. While these tools require more design expertise, they offer unlimited creative possibilities and can produce stunning visual results that help your content stand out in competitive professional feeds.

AI-Powered Carousel Generators

Modern AI tools have changed the game for LinkedIn carousel creation, making it possible to produce professional-quality content in a fraction of the time required for manual creation. PostNitro leads this category with sophisticated AI that can generate complete carousel posts from simple text prompts. The platform can create engaging copy, suggest relevant visuals, and maintain brand consistency across multiple carousel posts.

"The most successful content creators are those who can produce high-quality content consistently. AI-powered tools don't replace creativity—they amplify it by handling the technical aspects so creators can focus on strategy and messaging." - Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs

The AI capability extends beyond simple template filling to actually understanding your content and industry context. PostNitro can analyze your input and create carousel posts that align with LinkedIn best practices, ensuring optimal engagement rates. The platform also learns from your preferences and brand guidelines, producing increasingly relevant and on-brand content over time.

Other AI-powered solutions like aiCarousels by Taplio focus on converting existing content into carousel format. These tools can take blog posts, articles, or even Twitter threads and transform them into engaging LinkedIn carousel posts. This repurposing capability helps content creators maximize the value of their existing content while maintaining consistent posting schedules.

The speed advantage of AI-powered tools becomes particularly valuable for marketing agencies and content creators who need to produce multiple carousel posts regularly. What once took hours of design work can now be accomplished in minutes, freeing up time for strategy, engagement, and other high-value activities.

How can AI tools help maintain brand consistency across multiple carousel posts?

AI platforms like PostNitro can store your brand guidelines, color schemes, and messaging preferences, then apply them consistently across all generated content, ensuring every carousel post aligns with your professional brand identity.

Best Practices for LinkedIn Carousel Post Success

"The key to successful social media content is providing value in every single post. Carousel posts allow you to deliver comprehensive value while maintaining engagement throughout the entire experience." - Mari Smith, Facebook Marketing Expert

Creating successful LinkedIn carousel posts requires more than just understanding the technical specifications. The most engaging carousel posts follow proven strategies that maximize both reach and engagement. Start each carousel with a strong hook that addresses a specific problem your audience faces or promises valuable insights they can't find elsewhere.

Structure your content to create momentum throughout the carousel. Use numbered lists, step-by-step processes, or problem-solution formats that encourage users to swipe through every slide. Each slide should provide value while building toward a larger conclusion or call-to-action. Avoid filler slides that don't contribute meaningful information to your overall message.

Timing plays a crucial role in carousel post performance. LinkedIn engagement peaks during business hours, particularly Tuesday through Thursday between 9 AM and 11 AM. However, your specific audience may have different patterns, so experiment with posting times and track your engagement metrics to identify optimal publishing windows.

Engagement tactics can significantly boost your carousel post performance. Ask questions within your carousel content to encourage comments, include controversial or thought-provoking statements that spark discussion, and always end with a clear call-to-action that tells readers exactly what you want them to do next.

Measuring and Optimizing Your LinkedIn Carousel Performance

Tracking the right metrics helps you understand what resonates with your audience and refine your carousel strategy over time. LinkedIn provides built-in analytics for all posts, including carousel posts, showing engagement rates, reach, and audience demographics. Pay particular attention to the completion rate - how many people view all slides in your carousel - as this indicates whether your content maintains interest throughout.

Engagement metrics tell different stories about your content's effectiveness. High like-to-view ratios suggest your content resonates emotionally with your audience, while high comment rates indicate you're sparking meaningful conversations. Share rates represent the highest form of engagement, suggesting your content provides enough value that people want to share it with their networks.

A/B testing different carousel approaches helps optimize your content strategy. Test different hook styles, slide counts, design approaches, and posting times to identify what works best for your specific audience. Keep detailed records of your tests so you can build on successful strategies and avoid repeating unsuccessful approaches.

Long-term optimization requires analyzing patterns across multiple carousel posts rather than focusing on individual post performance. Look for trends in your most successful content to identify topics, formats, and approaches that consistently perform well with your audience.

Conclusion

LinkedIn carousel posts offer a powerful way to share detailed, engaging content that cuts through the noise of professional social media. By following the PDF upload method and applying the strategies outlined in this guide, you can create carousel posts that significantly boost your engagement rates and expand your professional reach. Remember that success comes from combining technical knowledge with strategic thinking about your audience's needs and interests.

FAQs

How many slides should a LinkedIn carousel have?
The optimal number of slides for a LinkedIn carousel post is between 6-12 slides. This range provides enough space to tell a complete story or share comprehensive information without overwhelming your audience. Shorter carousels (6-8 slides) work well for quick tips or simple processes, while longer ones (10-12 slides) are better for detailed tutorials or case studies.

Are links in a PDF carousel clickable on LinkedIn?
No, links embedded within PDF carousel slides are not clickable on LinkedIn. Any URLs, website links, or calls-to-action that require clicking must be included in your post caption text. This limitation means you should design your carousel content to drive readers to check your caption for important links and next steps.

What are the best dimensions for LinkedIn carousel slides?
The recommended dimensions for LinkedIn carousel slides are either 1080 x 1080 pixels (square format) or 1080 x 1350 pixels (portrait format). Square format is generally preferred because it displays consistently across both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring your content looks professional regardless of how people access LinkedIn.

Can I use images or videos for organic LinkedIn carousels anymore?
Currently, organic LinkedIn carousel posts must use the multi-page PDF document method rather than individual images or videos. LinkedIn discontinued the native image and video carousel features in December 2023. However, you can include images and graphics within your PDF slides to create visually engaging carousel content.

What file formats are supported for organic LinkedIn carousel posts?
LinkedIn supports several file formats for organic carousel posts, including PDF, PPT, PPTX, DOC, and DOCX. PDF is the most commonly used format because it preserves design elements and ensures consistent display across different devices. PowerPoint files are also popular, especially for users who are comfortable creating presentations.