Statistically, these posts get 3X the engagement of Reels and 2X the engagement of static posts. Compared to video content, your audience is 12% more likely to save these posts. And (mercifully), you can make this content without dancing like a 17-year-old, having any special equipment, or even getting out of bed (I mean, I don’t judge). Want to know what it is? [Read now]

- Charlotte Ellis, Editor ♡

At this workshop, join Stanley Henry and the the Attention Seeker team for a 2-hour session to plan out your content strategy for the whole year.

You’ll learn:

✅ What’s actually working on social right now
✅ How to build a viral content strategy for your brand
✅ The exact approach we use to get millions of views for our clients (and build our own audience of 3.3 million)

PLUS we will have plenty of time for Q&A with you.

Wednesday, 28 Jan | 8:30-10:30am NZT | $49

Stop wasting time making content that doesn’t perform. This is your chance to walk into 2026 with a content plan you know will work 👇

Perismmon, Cool Blue, Jade, Plum Noir, and Wasabi. These hues are based on billions of user engagements and searches, showing what people are saving, shopping, and pinning most, from fashion and beauty to home décor.

Cool Blue offers calming, modern vibes; Jade brings earthy sophistication; Plum Noir adds deep richness; Wasabi injects bold energy; and Persimmon gives vibrant warmth. This forecast reflects a cultural craving for both expressive colour and emotional resonance in design aesthetics throughout 2026. I’m a sucker for a cool blue or jade moment, so this is music to my ears (and eyes).

Wikipedia has struck licensing agreements with major AI companies including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and others to provide direct access to its vast database. And more importantly, this will help the platform finally recoup costs from heavy AI usage.

Historically, AI models have scraped Wikipedia’s content dry, without any compensation. This has created server and maintenance burdens for the nonprofit. These deals give AI firms structured, high-volume access. And they offer Wikipedia a new revenue stream to support operations. Wikimedia’s leadership says this approach helps sustain the platform’s volunteer-driven mission, even as AI continues to rely on its human-curated knowledge.

They call it getting “Claude-pilled.” Because Anthropic’s AI, especially via its Claude Code environment, is generating buzz far beyond the usual tech circles.

The latest version of Claude (Opus 4.5), paired with developer tools like Claude Code and the user-friendly Cowork interface, is being credited with drastically accelerating tasks like software development, data analysis and everyday workflows. Engineers report tasks that used to take months being finished in a week. And non-coding users are exploring capabilities from recovering lost files to building websites.

OpenAI remains a giant competitor. But Claude’s capabilities are positioning it as a serious contender in enterprise AI tooling. Give it a try for yourself and you’ll understand. 

-Sophie Randell, Writer

No fr, I’m kicking my little feet and giggling rn. Because the feed is FINALLY filling with carousels. These are multi-image posts that feel less like content and more like conversation.

Some creators layer on-screen text over their images to build narratives. Others embrace the "photo dump" aesthetic, sharing imperfect, authentic moments that feel refreshingly human.

The data proves it: stills, particularly in carousel format, are outperforming video content in ways that would've been unthinkable less than a year ago. And for creators and brands exhausted by the relentless treadmill of short-form video production, this is a revolution worth joining.

If you've been telling yourself "everything has to be a Reel," 2025 data says otherwise. According to Zoomsphere's analysis of 5 million posts, static images on Instagram are driving 6.2% engagement rates. Meanwhile, Reels sit at just 3.5%. Even more impressively, carousel posts average 10.15% engagement, crushing both single images and video.

Why? Carousels do something Reels can't—they encourage sustained attention. Each swipe signals to Instagram's algorithm that users are deeply engaged. Buffer research found that carousels are 12% more likely to be saved and liked than Reels, and a staggering 114% more than single photos. That snowball effect leads to more clicks, more saves, and more meaningful interactions.

Instagram doubled carousel capacity to 20 slides in August 2024, and the format has exploded. 49% of Gen Z now prefer carousels to static images. The algorithm re-serves carousel content multiple times to users who don't initially engage. This effectively extends post lifespan far beyond traditional metrics.

Reels demand constant creativity, trending audio, precise timing, and often expensive equipment (if you’re that serious.) For many creators and brands, the ROI hasn't matched the effort.

Meanwhile, carousels are:

Easier to produce: No filming, editing, or on-camera presence required. A collection of thoughtful images with text overlays can tell a complete story, and an engaging one too.

More authentic: Photo dumps, casual, imperfect collections of moments, feel more genuine than polished Reels. They embrace messiness in a way that resonates with audiences tired of performative content.

Better for storytelling: Carousels let you build narrative arcs across multiple slides. You can educate, entertain, and engage without cramming everything into 90 seconds.

Perfectly suited to the scrapbooking trend that’s sweeping IG: digital stickers, ripped paper edges, Polaroid frames, handwritten fonts all add texture and personality to carousels. It's nostalgic, tactile, and distinctly un-algorithmic. It feels like something you made, not something a team of strategists optimised.

If you’re ready to embrace the carousel comeback, here's how to do it right:

1. Lead with a hook (your first slide is everything)

This is no different to SFV - your first 5 seconds determines whether users swipe or scroll past. Make it visually striking, emotionally resonant, or curiosity-inducing. Use bold text overlays, contrasting colours, or a question that begs an answer. Think of it as your thumbnail—it needs to stop the scroll.

2. Layer text to build narrative

Instagram now offers in-app text overlays and stickers, eliminating the need for external design tools. Use them to guide viewers through your carousel. Pose questions on early slides and reveal answers later. Share tips across multiple images. Create interactive flowcharts where each swipe narrows down options (think: "Find Your Perfect Skincare Match").

3. Mix formats within carousels

Instagram now allows variable image sizes and mixed media (portrait, landscape, square) within single carousels. Combine photos, videos, screenshots of text messages or notes app entries, and infographics. This variety keeps viewers swiping to see what comes next.

4. Add audio

An instant game-changer: add trending audio to carousel posts. Instagram treats these as Reels content, pushing them into Reels feeds and suggested content. You get carousel engagement benefits plus Reels reach. It's the best of both worlds.

5. Optimise for saves

Instagram's 2025 algorithm heavily weighs saves, because they signal that content is valuable enough to revisit. Create educational carousels (how-tos, resource lists, checklists) that users will want to reference later. Carousels receive 22-23% more saves than single images, so lean into this advantage.

Video production is expensive, time-consuming, and requires specialised skills. Carousels democratise content creation—anyone with a phone and some creativity can participate.

More importantly, carousels align with what audiences actually want: authenticity over aspiration. The shift from polished, generic content to authentic storytelling reflects users' growing preference for realness.

And when it comes to ROI, carousel ads offer lower cost-per-click with higher click-through rates than other formats. They provide multiple opportunities to engage audiences within a single ad unit. So this makes them ideal for product showcases, testimonials, or educational content.

For years, Instagram told us to dance faster, edit sharper, trend harder. But users are voting with their swipes, and they're choosing substance over spectacle.

The stills are back. The carousels are thriving. And the revolution is swipeable.

-Sophie Randell, Writer

The sound comes from an old Markiplier Five Nights at Freddy’s clip, where he’s calmly being told background context… until his friend casually drops “yeah, and then there was the Bite of ’87.” Markiplier immediately spirals and yells “THE BITE?!”, a reaction that has since become internet canon.

People are using the sound to show moments where information is revealed completely out of sync. One person is calm. The other person is realising they were not emotionally briefed for this conversation.

Think:

You can use this sound two ways:

• Be the person casually relaying the information, completely unfazed, while the reaction tells a very different story

or

• Be the person receiving the information and visibly spiralling as you realise this was not a safe conversation

A few ideas to get you started:

-abdel khalil, brand & marketing exec

😂Yap’s funniest home videos Drinking from anything but a cup
❤How wholesome Peak cat mum content
😊Soooo satisfying Sourdough starter ASMR
🍝What you should make for dinner tonight Cheesy beef taco rice

We get it. Creating content that does numbers is harder than it looks. But doing those big numbers is the fastest way to grow your brand. So if you’re tired of throwing sh*t at the wall and seeing what sticks, you’re in luck. Because making our clients go viral is kinda what we do every single day.