Photo dumps have become a fixture on our social media feeds — celebrities and influencers alike have jumped on board! But what exactly is a photo dump and why is it a user favorite? We're diving into what qualifies as a "photo dump," why it's an engagement driver, and how you can try it, below.

What Is a Photo Dump, Anyway?

A photo dump is a collection of photos and videos gathered together in one post on Instagram or, sometimes, TikTok. Rather than perfectly edited photos and videos, a photo dump is a low-effort collection that conveys a story or mood. Think a blurry selfie followed by an image of a half-eaten sandwich, a video at the beach, and a comical meme or GIF. It’s the details that paint a fuller picture, revealing so much more than one single shot.

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Where Can I Post Photo Dumps?

You can post photo dumps on both Instagram and TikTok — they just have slightly different origin stories and uses.

Let’s take a closer look:

Instagram Photo Dumps

It’s no secret that the pandemic seriously impacted our Instagram feeds. IRL events, concerts, and social gatherings took a back seat; yet our social media usage continued to soar. 

And in the years since, Instagram photo dumps have surged in popularity — the hashtag #photodump alone has amassed over 5M posts and counting. 

They’re a great way to connect with your audience through authentic imagery rather than the pressures of “picture-perfect” filters and hyper-edited content. 

TikTok Photo Dumps

While photo dumps originally rose to popularity on Instagram, they eventually migrated to TikTok via “photo mode” — a carousel-style format.

With photo mode, users can share multiple still images — up to 35 slides — to a single TikTok post. 

Set to audio, users can swipe through each image or let the app scroll through automatically.

And thanks to their loop-like format, photo mode posts are perfect for sharing educational content, spotlighting funny memes, or explaining the value of a product or service.

With the right strategy, you can boost engagement, increase brand affinity, and even drive product sales. Win-win-win!

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