YouTube is quietly testing something that feels very not YouTube: image carousels inside the Shorts feed. But this isn’t just a feature drop — it’s a signal.

This solo episode breaks down why this small test could reshape how you use YouTube, and how it ties into a bigger trend: every platform becoming… the same.

Key Takeaways:

• YouTube is testing swipeable photo posts (up to 10 images) inside Shorts
• Why this mirrors Instagram carousels and TikTok photo posts
• What makes carousel content effective on other platforms
• The risk of using the same format without adjusting your strategy
• A reminder: strategy always wins over format

Timestamps:

00:00 YouTube's Surprising New Feature

00:32 Introduction to Marketing Trends

00:52 YouTube's Image Carousel Test

01:49 The Bigger Picture: Platform Convergence

04:53 How Carousels Perform on Different Platforms

07:02 Implications for YouTube Creators

08:24 Strategic Takeaways and Conclusion

Not sure how to pivot your content strategy across platforms? That’s exactly what we help with at Next Step Social. Let’s make sure your content converts — wherever it shows up.

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/marketingtrendsnow/

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