How A Virtual Assistant Agency Can Transform Your Business
This is how a virtual assistant agency can transform your business.…
If you’re a business owner or content creator using Instagram to connect with your audience, you’ll know that carousels have long been one of the most engaging post types on the platform. With their swipe-through format and storytelling potential, they’ve allowed brands to showcase products, tutorials, testimonials, behind-the-scenes content and more — all in a single post.
So when Instagram recently rolled out an update expanding carousels from 10 to 25 images, it naturally caused quite a buzz in the social media world. But what does this update really mean for your business? How should you be adapting your content strategy to make the most of it? And is more always better when it comes to visual content?
In this blog, we’re diving into what this change means from both a marketing and engagement perspective — and sharing how virtual assistants can help you stay ahead of the curve without spending hours planning, designing or scheduling your content.
In case you missed it, Instagram now allows users to add up to 25 images or videos in a single carousel post. That’s more than double the previous limit of 10, and it opens up entirely new possibilities for storytelling and content creation.
As with traditional carousels, users swipe through each frame, one after the other, which encourages longer dwell time on your post. More importantly, the Instagram algorithm rewards posts that keep users engaged — so carousels already had an advantage over static images. With 25 frames, that opportunity is even bigger.
The update is currently rolling out gradually, but once it’s live on your account, you’ll be able to upload up to 25 pieces of media when creating a carousel post. This applies to both personal and business accounts, meaning small businesses, creators, and brands of all sizes can take advantage of the new format.
For business owners, especially those in service-based or visually-led industries, this update is significant. It effectively gives you a bigger canvas to showcase what you do, who you are, and how you help. Instead of choosing between your best five testimonials or compressing a full how-to into ten slides, you now have room to breathe.
For creators and coaches, it means you can share mini-trainings or deep dives without worrying about cutting off your message. For eCommerce brands, it offers a chance to feature full collections, product tutorials, or detailed customer reviews. And if you’re in the virtual assistant industry like us, it’s a fantastic way to spotlight client wins, share educational tips, or walk people through your services — all without the pressure of editing down to ten frames.
The increased limit also encourages more authentic storytelling. You no longer have to prioritise form over depth. You can share longer captions, paired with more imagery, to build trust and connection — which, let’s face it, is the foundation of a strong online brand.
Carousels already outperform other post types on Instagram when it comes to engagement. According to multiple studies, carousel posts generate more likes and saves than single-image or video posts. That’s because they keep users swiping — and the longer someone stays on your content, the more likely Instagram is to serve it to others.
With the update to 25 images, that engagement potential increases. Each swipe signals interest. Each save tells the algorithm your content is valuable. And because Instagram often re-surfaces carousel posts to users who didn’t engage the first time, you now have an even greater chance of being seen more than once.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should cram every carousel with 25 slides. The quality of your content still matters. What the update offers is flexibility. You can now match the length of your post to the depth of your message — without being restricted by an arbitrary limit.
Used well, this change can help you strengthen your authority, improve your storytelling, and encourage more meaningful interactions with your followers.
As with any update, the real challenge lies in implementation. Planning, designing, and captioning 25-frame carousel posts takes more time — and if you’re running a business, time is already in short supply.
That’s where a virtual assistant comes in.
At The Virtual Assistant Company (TVAC), our team supports business owners with content planning, design, caption writing, and scheduling. We keep on top of the latest platform changes so that you don’t have to — and we adapt your strategy in real time to ensure you stay relevant and visible.
If you’re ready to take advantage of the 25-frame format but don’t have the capacity to produce high-quality content consistently, working with a VA can be a game-changer. They can help you map out educational series, create swipe-worthy graphics, and schedule posts that align with your wider marketing goals. Instead of scrambling to create content last minute, you’ll have a structured, strategic plan that works in your favour.
There’s no shortage of creative possibilities now that the limit has been lifted. Whether you’re a product-based business, service provider, or online educator, here are some ideas to consider (without listing them, of course — we’ll keep it conversational).
Think of a carousel as a narrative. With 25 frames, you can build a complete story arc — from setting the scene to delivering value, and ending with a strong call to action. A skincare brand might walk followers through a full morning and evening routine using different products, while a coach might break down a step-by-step process for setting monthly goals.
For virtual assistants or agencies, it’s a chance to share client journeys from onboarding to outcome, or to provide a full behind-the-scenes look at how a specific task is managed. You could showcase an entire month of social media graphics, content strategy examples, or snippets from your standard operating procedures.
The key is to focus on content that earns its length. Just because you can use 25 frames doesn’t mean you always should. Your audience’s time is precious — so every frame should serve a purpose. Whether that’s informing, entertaining or inspiring, the goal is to keep people swiping and spark a response.
The answer depends on your audience, your goals, and your capacity.
If your audience responds well to educational, value-packed content, this update is an opportunity to double down. Long-form carousels can complement short-form video and Stories, giving your feed more variety and depth. If your content strategy has relied heavily on single-image posts or Reels, the 25-frame format offers a new way to recycle and repurpose content in a more immersive way.
It may also prompt a review of your design workflow. More frames mean more assets — and if you’re doing it all yourself, that can quickly become overwhelming. This is where having templated design systems, a solid brand identity, and a reliable VA can make a huge difference.
Consistency still matters. Just because Instagram offers 25 frames doesn’t mean you need to post 25-frame carousels every week. A mix of short and long carousels, depending on your content goals, will likely serve you better in the long run. The update is a tool — not a rule.
One of the potential downsides of this update is that it could lead to longer carousels that simply don’t hold the user’s attention. The temptation to fill every frame can be strong, but without a clear structure or engaging visuals, you risk losing your audience midway through.
Design also becomes more important with more slides. A well-designed 10-frame carousel is manageable, but 25 requires even more visual consistency. If your design system isn’t streamlined, you’ll quickly run into issues with brand cohesion and user fatigue.
To combat this, focus on strong pacing. Alternate between bold, simple statements and more detailed frames. Use white space strategically. Break up long captions so they’re easy to skim. And always keep your audience in mind — what do they want to learn, feel, or do by the end of the post?
Again, this is where professional support from a VA or design assistant can elevate your content. If you’re not naturally design-minded or you simply don’t have the time to create 25-frame carousels from scratch, outsourcing this task ensures your content stays sharp, impactful, and on-brand.
The expansion of carousel posts to 25 frames is more than just a technical update. It signals a shift in how Instagram is positioning itself — not just as a platform for quick content consumption, but as a place for deeper storytelling and meaningful interaction.
For small business owners, creators, and virtual assistants alike, this presents a real opportunity. Not only can you now share more value in a single post, but you can also experiment with content types that may have previously felt too long for the platform. Whether that’s educational mini-trainings, visual storytelling, or in-depth case studies, the limit no longer holds you back.
That said, your strategy still needs to be intentional. Not every piece of content needs to be long-form, and not every audience wants to swipe through 25 slides. It’s about striking the right balance — offering depth when it matters, but still showing up consistently and authentically.
If you’re ready to embrace the update but don’t want to go it alone, that’s exactly what we’re here for. At TVAC, we help business owners grow with confidence by taking the content load off their shoulders — from strategy and design to delivery and optimisation.
Because staying ahead of the algorithm shouldn’t mean burning yourself out trying to keep up.
Let’s talk. Whether you’re looking for monthly content support, one-off designs or a complete content strategy that reflects your brand, we’ve got the expertise — and the virtual assistants — to make it happen.
Get in touch with our team at tvacgroup.com or send us a message on Instagram @TVACGroup to learn more.
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