How to Make a Slideshow on TikTok

Table of Contents

Why TikTok Slideshows Are a Game-Changer
Understanding TikTok's Two Slideshow Formats
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Swipeable Slideshow
Creating Non-Swipeable Slideshows with Templates
Customization Mastery - Advanced Options
Crafting Engagement-Focused Narrative Structure
Best Practices for Maximum Impact
E-commerce and Creator Use Cases
TikTok SEO Optimization for Slideshows
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Advanced Tactics for Slideshow Mastery
Conclusion

Introduction: Why TikTok Slideshows Are a Game-Changer for Your Content Strategy

Here's something that might surprise you: TikTok carousel posts are achieving 81% higher engagement rates than traditional video content in 2025. That's not a typo—slideshows are consistently outperforming videos that take hours to film and edit.

If you're exhausted from the constant pressure to produce video content, slideshows offer a genuinely refreshing alternative. They require no filming, no complex editing, and no expensive equipment. Just curated images with the right structure, and you can create content that keeps viewers engaged longer than most traditional videos.

The reason is simple: slideshows put control in the viewer's hands. Instead of being forced to watch at your predetermined pace, they swipe when they're ready. This sense of control translates directly into higher completion rates and better retention metrics—exactly what TikTok's algorithm rewards.

For e-commerce brands especially, this is transformative. You can showcase products from multiple angles, demonstrate before-and-after results, or tell brand stories without the production costs associated with video. And because slideshows are so quick to create, you can test multiple variations in the time it would take to produce a single polished video.

Throughout this guide, I'll walk you through both types of TikTok slideshows, show you exactly how to create them, and share the optimization strategies that separate high-performing content from posts that disappear into the algorithm void. If you're looking to scale your content output while maintaining quality, Reelbase can automate much of this process—but first, let's master the fundamentals.

Understanding TikTok's Two Slideshow Formats

TikTok doesn't just offer one slideshow format—it offers two fundamentally different approaches, and choosing the right one can make or break your content's performance.

Swipeable Slideshows (Photo Mode)

The swipeable slideshow is TikTok's interactive carousel format, and it's easily the more powerful of the two options for engagement. Here's how it works: viewers manually swipe through your images at their own pace, just like scrolling through an Instagram carousel. You can include up to 35 images in a single post, though you'll rarely want to use that many.

The key advantage here is viewer control. When someone has to actively swipe to see the next image, they're making a conscious choice to continue engaging with your content. This manual interaction signals to TikTok's algorithm that your content is valuable, which directly impacts how widely it gets distributed.

Swipeable slideshows excel for specific content types. Product showcases work beautifully because viewers can examine details at their own pace. Step-by-step tutorials benefit from the format because viewers can pause on any step without having to scrub through a video timeline. Detailed storytelling—like transformation journeys or case studies—keeps viewers engaged slide by slide, building curiosity with each swipe.

The completion rate advantage is substantial. Because viewers control the pace, they're more likely to see every slide rather than bouncing partway through. Compare this to video content where viewers often leave before the payoff, and the format's power becomes clear.

Non-Swipeable/Template-Based Slideshows

The template-based slideshow is actually a video format—TikTok automatically plays through your images with transitions, timing, and audio applied. It's more like a video montage than a true slideshow, and the user experience reflects that.

Creating a template-based slideshow is simpler than the swipeable version. You select a pre-designed template, upload your images, and TikTok handles the timing and transitions. For beginners who don't want to think about pacing or music synchronization, this is the easier entry point.

These auto-playing slideshows work well for linear storytelling where you want to control exactly how long viewers see each image. They're also better for creating a cinematic flow with smooth transitions that match your audio. Think of them as halfway between static slideshows and full video production.

However, there's a trade-off: template-based slideshows typically see lower retention than swipeable formats. Without manual interaction, viewers treat them like passive video content. If they're not immediately hooked, they scroll past just like they would with any other video. You lose that engagement signal that comes from active swiping.

When to Use Each Format

The decision framework is straightforward:

Use swipeable slideshows when:

You want maximum engagement and algorithm favor
Your content benefits from viewer control (product details, tutorials, comparisons)
You're showcasing multiple variations of something (color options, styling ideas)
Your audience needs time to absorb information on each slide

Use template-based slideshows when:

You want quick, simple creation without thinking about flow
Your content tells a linear story with specific timing
You're creating cinematic content with mood-matched transitions
You're new to slideshows and want to experiment with minimal setup

For most creators and brands focused on growth, swipeable slideshows are the clear winner. The engagement metrics simply don't lie—but both formats have their place depending on your specific goals and content type.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Swipeable Slideshow

Let's walk through the exact process for creating a high-performing swipeable slideshow on TikTok. I'll break this down into five phases so you can follow along whether you're creating your first slideshow or your hundredth.

Preparation Phase

Before you even open TikTok, your slideshow success is largely determined by preparation. Start by selecting 5-10 high-resolution images. I recommend this range because it's long enough to tell a complete story but short enough to avoid swipe fatigue. Yes, TikTok allows up to 35 images, but you'll lose viewers well before that point.

Every image must be in 9:16 aspect ratio—that's vertical format optimized for mobile viewing. Horizontal or square images will get awkwardly cropped or letterboxed, immediately signaling amateur content. If you're working with existing photos, crop them before uploading.

Arrange your images in logical order before you start uploading. Think through the narrative arc: you need a hook image that stops the scroll, value images that deliver on your promise, and a clear call-to-action at the end. Write this sequence down. Random image ordering kills engagement because viewers can't follow your story.

Visual consistency matters more than you'd think. Your images should share a color palette or aesthetic style. If slide one is bright and vibrant while slide two is dark and moody, the jarring transition will cause viewers to bounce. Consistent styling signals professionalism and makes your slideshow feel cohesive.

Upload and Image Selection

Open TikTok and tap the "+" button at the bottom of your screen—the same button you'd use to record a video. Instead of hitting the red record button, look for the "Photo" option on the right side of the screen. Tap it.

You'll see options for "Post" and "Story." Select "Post" (stories disappear after 24 hours, which defeats the purpose of evergreen slideshow content). Now tap "Select multiple" at the top of the screen.

Here's where your pre-planning pays off. Choose your images in the exact order you want them to appear. TikTok will display small numbers on each image showing the sequence. If you mess up the order, you'll need to deselect and reorder—it's easier to get it right the first time.

Once you've selected all your images in sequence, tap "Next" in the bottom right corner.

Format Selection

This is the critical choice that determines whether you're creating a swipeable or template-based slideshow. On the next screen, you'll see two options: "Photo" and "Video."

Choose "Photo" for the swipeable slideshow format we're focusing on. This creates the interactive carousel where viewers manually swipe through your content. The alternative "Video" option creates a template-based auto-playing slideshow, which we'll cover in the next section.

Understanding this choice is important because you can't change formats after this point without starting over. Photo mode = swipeable. Video mode = auto-play with templates.

Customization and Editing

Now comes the creative work. Your slideshow editor offers several customization options that directly impact engagement.

Background music is your first priority. Tap the "Add sound" option and search for trending audio or mood-appropriate music. Trending sounds give you an algorithmic advantage because TikTok favors content using popular audio. The music you choose should match your content mood—upbeat for product showcases, emotional for transformation stories, informative-feeling for tutorials.

Text overlays are essential for slideshows. Most viewers watch TikTok with sound off, so text isn't optional—it's required. Tap "Text" to add captions. Keep each slide's text minimal (one key point per image), choose fonts that match your brand, and ensure high contrast for readability. Black text on light backgrounds or white text on dark backgrounds works best.

Filters and effects help create visual cohesion if your original images aren't perfectly matched. A single filter applied to all slides can tie disparate images together aesthetically. But don't overdo it—subtle filtering looks professional, while heavy effects scream amateur.

Stickers and GIFs can boost engagement when used strategically. An arrow pointing to the next slide with text saying "Swipe for more" gives viewers a clear action to take. Question stickers or polls make content interactive. Just don't clutter your slides—one or two strategic elements maximum per image.

For slides with heavy text or detailed images, you can set the display duration. Tap the timing controls to give viewers more time on information-dense slides. This is particularly useful for tutorials or data-heavy content where viewers need time to absorb what they're seeing.

Finalization and Publishing

You're almost done. Before hitting publish, there are critical optimization steps that most creators skip—and their reach suffers for it.

Your caption is prime SEO real estate. Write a descriptive caption that includes your primary keyword naturally. For a product slideshow, describe what you're showing. For a tutorial, tease the outcome. Front-load the most important information because captions get truncated after two lines.

Cover image selection determines your click-through rate. TikTok will suggest a default cover, but don't accept it blindly. Choose the image that best represents your entire slideshow and makes viewers want to see more. Your cover should be your strongest hook image.

Hashtags need to be strategic, not generic. Add 3-5 relevant, specific hashtags rather than popular generic ones. "TikTokMadeMeBuyIt" has millions of posts and yours will disappear. "MinimalistHomeDecor" or "SmallSpaceOrganization" are specific enough to find your actual audience. Research hashtags before using them—check how many posts use each tag and what kind of content performs well there.

Privacy settings should typically stay on "Everyone" unless you have a specific reason to limit visibility. Restricting to followers defeats the purpose of TikTok's discovery algorithm.

Call-to-action is your final overlay or caption instruction. Be explicit: "Swipe to see all 7 tips," "Comment which one you'd try," "Link in bio for the product," or "Save this for later." Without a CTA, viewers don't know what action to take, and you leave engagement on the table.

Finally, tap "Post" and your slideshow goes live. The algorithm will test it on a small audience first, so don't panic if views start slow. If your retention metrics are strong on those first few hundred views, TikTok will push it to increasingly larger audiences.

Creating Non-Swipeable Slideshows with Templates

If swipeable slideshows feel too manual or you want something with more automatic polish, template-based slideshows offer a faster path to published content. The trade-off is less control and typically lower engagement, but the creation speed can make up for that if you're producing high volumes of content.

Template Selection Process

After selecting your photos and tapping "Next," choose "Video" instead of "Photo." This takes you into TikTok's template selection interface where you'll see dozens of pre-designed slideshow templates.

Browse through the available options by swiping left through the template carousel. Each template shows a preview of how it handles transitions, timing, and effects. Some templates are minimalist with simple fades, while others include dramatic zooms, rotations, and effects.

The critical consideration when selecting a template is image quantity. Each template is designed for a specific number of photos—some work with 3 images, others with 5, 10, or more. TikTok will show you which templates match your selected image count. If you've chosen 7 photos, stick with templates designed for 7—forcing your images into a 5-photo template means two of your slides will get cut or awkwardly combined.

Preview several templates before committing. Tap each one to see how your specific images look with that template's transitions and timing. What looks good in the generic preview might not work with your content's aesthetic.

Photo Upload and Ordering

Once you've selected a template, TikTok automatically arranges your photos in the order you selected them during upload. Each slide in the timeline will show a small duration box indicating how long that image displays.

This is where template-based slideshows differ significantly from swipeable ones: the timing is predetermined by the template. Some templates show each image for 1 second, others for 2-3 seconds. If you have a text-heavy slide that needs more viewing time, you need to either choose a different template or work within the constraints of your current selection.

Pay attention to how your images flow with the template's transitions. A zoom-in transition might crop out important parts of your image. A rotation effect might not work if your image has text that needs to stay readable. You can reorder images by dragging them in the timeline, which sometimes helps if a particular slide isn't working with the transition effect.

Advanced Customization

Template-based slideshows offer more customization options than swipeable ones in some areas, because you're working in TikTok's full video editor.

Voice-over recordings let you narrate your slideshow. Tap the "Voiceover" option and record your audio as the slideshow plays. This is powerful for tutorials or storytelling where you want to guide viewers through each image with explanation. Your voice-over automatically syncs with the visual timing.

Captions (distinct from text overlays) can be auto-generated from your voice-over or manually added. TikTok's auto-captioning has improved dramatically in 2025, and it's essential for accessibility and sound-off viewing. Edit the auto-generated captions for accuracy—AI still makes mistakes with technical terms or brand names.

Transitions can sometimes be customized beyond the template defaults. Look for the "Transitions" option in the editor to experiment with different effects between slides. Fades work for almost everything, while zoom and rotation effects should be used sparingly for dramatic moments.

Timeline editor access gives you granular control over timing. You can extend or shorten how long each slide displays, which is crucial if your template's default timing doesn't match your content needs. Tap any slide in the timeline to adjust its duration.

TikTok's video editor tools—effects, filters, text—all work in template-based slideshows. This means you have access to trending effects and filters that aren't available in swipeable slideshows. If there's a viral effect related to your niche, you can incorporate it here.

Export and Publishing

Before publishing, run through a customization checklist:

Does each slide display long enough for viewers to read any text?
Is the audio (music or voice-over) properly synced?
Are transitions smooth and not jarring?
Do any effects obscure important content?

Add your metadata: a compelling title in your caption, relevant hashtags, and location tags if applicable. Location tags can help with local discovery if your content has geographic relevance.

When you're satisfied, tap "Next" to reach the publish screen. Write an optimized caption, select your cover frame (usually your strongest hook image), add hashtags, and include your call-to-action. Template-based slideshows benefit from the same SEO optimization as swipeable ones—don't skip these steps just because the format is different.

Hit "Post" and your template-based slideshow goes live as a video on your profile. It will compete in the algorithm like any other video content, which means retention in the first 3 seconds is absolutely critical.

Customization Mastery - Advanced Options

Once you've mastered the basics of slideshow creation, these advanced customization techniques will separate your content from the thousands of generic slideshows flooding TikTok.

Text Overlay Strategy

Text overlays can make or break your slideshow's performance. Here's how to use them strategically rather than slapping random words on images.

Font selection should match your brand identity and content mood. TikTok offers dozens of fonts, but stick with 2-3 maximum across your slideshow. Using a different font on every slide looks chaotic and unprofessional. Choose one font for headers and one for body text. Sans-serif fonts (clean, modern) work best for most content, while serif fonts (traditional, elegant) work for luxury or formal content.

Color contrast is non-negotiable for readability. Your text must be instantly readable even when someone is scrolling quickly. The highest contrast combinations are black on white, white on black, or white on colored backgrounds with a semi-transparent dark overlay. Test your slideshow at arm's length from your phone—if you can't read the text easily, neither can your viewers.

Minimal text per slide is the rule. Each slide should communicate one idea, not an entire paragraph. If you're writing more than 10-15 words per slide, you're writing too much. Viewers won't read dense text blocks on fast-scrolling social media. Break complex ideas across multiple slides rather than cramming everything onto one.

Strategic text placement follows a hierarchy: your hook goes on slide one, value propositions on slides 2-4, supporting details on slides 5-8, and your call-to-action on the final slide. The first slide's text should be your absolute best scroll-stopper—a shocking statistic, a provocative question, or a bold claim. Everything that follows should deliver on that initial promise.

Audio Selection

Audio matters more for slideshows than most creators realize. Even though slideshows don't have the natural audio of filmed content, your music choice directly impacts both viewer engagement and algorithmic distribution.

Trending music gives you an algorithmic advantage because TikTok actively promotes content using trending sounds. The platform wants songs to go viral, so it pushes content using those sounds to more viewers. Check TikTok's "Trending" tab regularly and bookmark sounds related to your niche. When you create a slideshow, pull from your saved trending audio rather than generic music.

Matching audio mood to content seems obvious but is often ignored. Your product showcase shouldn't have melancholic piano music. Your transformation story shouldn't have aggressive EDM. The disconnect creates cognitive dissonance that makes viewers bounce. Browse audio by mood and choose music that reinforces your content's emotional tone.

Continuous audio has a hidden engagement benefit: it keeps users on your slideshow longer. When viewers swipe from slide to slide, the music continues uninterrupted. This creates a sense of flow and momentum that encourages completing the entire slideshow. If your slideshow is silent, there's less reason to keep swiping.

Copyright considerations matter less on TikTok than YouTube, but they still matter. Stick with music from TikTok's official library, which is cleared for use on the platform. Don't upload copyrighted songs from external sources—TikTok will mute your audio and tank your reach.

Visual Consistency Tactics

Visual consistency is what separates professional-looking slideshows from amateur collections of random images. Here's how to create that cohesive aesthetic:

Color scheme organization means your images should share a complementary color palette. If you're pulling images from different sources or photo shoots, run them all through the same filter or color grading process. Apps like Lightroom or VSCO let you save presets and apply them consistently across multiple images. Even slightly off-brand colors can make your slideshow feel disjointed.

Filter application for unified aesthetic is powerful but requires restraint. Choose one filter and apply it consistently to every slide in your slideshow. TikTok's built-in filters work fine, but external apps like Lightroom offer more control. The goal isn't to make your photos look heavily edited—it's to ensure they all look like they belong in the same slideshow.

Transition effect experimentation can enhance your storytelling when used thoughtfully. Fades work for almost any content. Zoom transitions create drama and focus attention on specific details. Flip transitions work for before-and-after comparisons. But don't use a different transition between every slide—pick one or two that serve your content and stick with them.

Template usage from design tools like Canva can give your slideshows a polished, professional look. Create branded templates with your logo, color palette, and fonts, then use those templates for all your text-heavy slides. This consistency builds brand recognition—viewers will start to recognize your content before even seeing your username.

The key principle across all these tactics: consistency builds trust and professionalism. Random, mismatched elements signal low-effort content, which viewers instinctively skip.

Crafting Engagement-Focused Narrative Structure

Creating a slideshow isn't just about putting images in order. The structure of your narrative determines whether viewers swipe through your entire slideshow or bounce after slide two. Here's how to engineer that progression for maximum engagement.

The Hook — First Image Imperative

Your first image has one job: stop the scroll. It's not about being pretty—it's about being impossible to ignore. TikTok users scroll at a rate of roughly 3 videos per second. You have literally one second to make someone's thumb stop moving.

Testing attention-grabbing angles means experimenting with what breaks pattern. Unexpected perspectives, extreme close-ups, bold text overlays, or shocking visuals all work. The biggest mistake is using your "best" image first—use your most scroll-stopping image first, even if it's not the most aesthetically pleasing. Beautiful product photos don't stop scrolls. "Before" images of disasters, provocative questions, or counter-intuitive statements do.

Visual hierarchy on your first slide should guide the eye to the most important element immediately. If you're using text, it should be large, high-contrast, and positioned in the upper two-thirds of the image where eyes naturally land first. If your hook is visual, ensure the focal point is obvious—no clutter, no competing elements.

Cover image selection for your TikTok post preview is critical because it determines click-through rate from the For You Page. Many creators make their hook image and cover image the same, which makes sense—whatever stops the scroll in-feed should also generate clicks from profile views or search results. Test different cover images to see what drives more initial engagement.

The hook slide needs to create a curiosity gap. It should make a promise, ask a question, or present a problem that can only be resolved by swiping to the next slide. "3 mistakes ruining your..." requires swiping to see the mistakes. "You're doing this wrong" requires swiping to see what "this" is. "Swipe to see the transformation" explicitly tells viewers what they'll get.

Building Curiosity Through Progression

Once you've stopped the scroll, every subsequent slide needs to maintain momentum and build curiosity for what's coming next. Viewers should feel compelled to keep swiping, not because you told them to, but because they genuinely want to see what follows.

Logical sequence is essential. Your slides should guide viewer attention through a clear progression: setup → buildup → payoff. For product showcases: overview → details → styling → purchase information. For tutorials: problem → solution steps → result. For stories: beginning → complication → resolution. Random ordering breaks narrative flow and causes viewers to lose interest.

Variation between close-ups and wide shots keeps the viewing experience dynamic. If every slide is the same type of shot, visual fatigue sets in. Alternate between different perspectives: wide shot, close-up detail, medium shot, back to wide shot. This rhythm maintains visual interest and helps emphasize key moments through framing choice.

Text-heavy vs. image-focused slide balance prevents cognitive overload. Don't make viewers read dense text on every single slide—they'll bail. A good rhythm is: image → text → image → image → text → image. This gives viewers' brains alternating modes of processing, which reduces fatigue and maintains engagement longer.

Subtle visual cues prompting continuation should appear on slides 2-6, not just the first slide. Small arrows pointing right with text like "Keep swiping" or "More" remind viewers that there's additional content coming. This is especially important if a middle slide could feel like a natural ending point—you need to signal that the story isn't over yet.

The psychological principle here is the Zeigarnik effect: people remember incomplete tasks better than completed ones. Keep viewers feeling like the story is incomplete until the final slide, and they'll keep swiping to reach resolution.

The Call-to-Action Finale

Your final slide is prime real estate for conversion, whether that conversion is engagement, traffic, or sales. Most creators waste it by just saying "Follow for more"—which is fine, but not optimized.

Strong final slide messaging should reflect the entire slideshow's purpose. If you showed product variations, the final slide should facilitate purchase: "Link in bio to shop" with your product image. If you taught something, the final slide should encourage implementation: "Try this today and comment your results." If you told a story, the final slide should invite discussion: "Which step was hardest for you?"

CTA types to choose from:

Engagement-focused: "Comment your favorite," "Tag someone who needs this," "Which one would you choose?"—these generate comments and shares, which boost algorithmic distribution
Conversion-focused: "Link in bio," "Shop now," "Book a call"—these drive traffic and sales
Viral-focused: "Share this with friends," "Save this for later," "Send this to someone"—these increase your reach through shares and saves, which TikTok interprets as high-value content

Reinforcing brand message in the final frame ensures your slideshow has a cohesive conclusion. Include your logo, brand colors, and a consistent sign-off. This builds recognition over time—viewers start associating that visual signature with your content before even checking the username.

Testing different CTAs for performance optimization is critical because what works varies by niche and audience. Create the same slideshow with three different final slides, each featuring a different CTA, and post them on different days. Track which one generates the most of whatever metric matters to you (comments, shares, link clicks). Use that CTA style going forward until testing reveals something better.

The worst thing you can do with your final slide is leave it blank or use a generic "Thanks for watching." You've earned viewers' attention through 8-10 slides—capitalize on that attention with a clear action for them to take.

Best Practices for Maximum Impact

These best practices aren't optional—they're the difference between slideshows that get pushed by the algorithm and ones that die with 200 views.

Image Quality Standards

TikTok users are more sophisticated than ever about production quality. Poor image quality immediately signals low-effort content, and viewers will scroll past without engaging.

High-resolution requirement means every image should be at least 1080x1920 pixels (the native resolution of most phone screens). Pixelated or blurry images harm engagement because they look unprofessional. If you're pulling images from the internet, never use small web thumbnails—download the full-resolution version or don't use it at all.

9:16 aspect ratio optimization is mandatory for TikTok. This is the vertical format that fills the entire screen on mobile devices. Images in other ratios will get letterboxed with black bars or awkwardly cropped, both of which look amateurish and reduce your usable screen space. Crop your images to 9:16 before uploading, and frame your subject with vertical viewing in mind.

Good lighting is the foundation of professional-looking images. Even the best phone camera produces terrible images in bad lighting. Natural light is ideal—shoot near windows during daylight hours. If using artificial light, ensure it's bright enough and evenly distributed. Dark, muddy images perform poorly because viewers can't see details.

Natural lighting preference isn't just about quality—it's about authenticity. TikTok audiences gravitate toward content that feels real rather than overly produced. Natural lighting achieves this balance: professional enough to look credible, authentic enough to feel genuine. Harsh studio lighting can actually hurt performance on TikTok because it signals "advertisement" rather than "relatable content."

Professional presentation reflecting brand dedication matters because it's a trust signal. When viewers see consistently high-quality images, they assume you care about your brand and products. When they see inconsistent, low-quality images, they assume you don't care—and if you don't care, why should they?

Conciseness and Pacing

More slides don't equal better engagement. In fact, most slideshows benefit from being shorter than creators initially think.

5-10 images as optimal sweet spot is based on engagement data across thousands of slideshows. This range is long enough to tell a complete story and deliver real value, but short enough that viewers complete the entire slideshow. Yes, TikTok allows up to 35 images, but completion rate drops dramatically after slide 10.

Swipe fatigue is real. Every swipe is an action viewers must take, and every action creates friction. By slide 12, viewers start wondering if there's an end coming. By slide 15, many will abandon even if the content is good. The diminishing returns aren't worth it—cut ruthlessly and keep only your strongest slides.

Duration settings based on content complexity should give viewers adequate time without dragging. Text-heavy slides need 3-4 seconds minimum for viewers to read. Image-focused slides can be 2 seconds. If you're using template-based slideshows, adjust timing to match your content needs rather than accepting default template timing.

"Keep it short and sweet" principle for TikTok's fast-paced nature applies to slideshows as much as videos. Viewers come to TikTok for quick hits of entertainment and information, not extensive deep dives. Save the detailed explanations for blog posts or YouTube. On TikTok, give them the essence and make it memorable.

Brand Consistency

Consistent branding turns casual viewers into followers and followers into customers. Here's how to build that recognition through slideshows:

Unified color palette should carry across all your slideshows. Choose 3-5 brand colors and ensure every slideshow uses those colors prominently. This doesn't mean every image must be color-corrected to match perfectly, but your text overlays, backgrounds, and accent colors should be consistent.

Font family consistency means using the same 1-2 fonts across all your content. Don't use TikTok's "Handwriting" font one day and "Bold" the next. Pick fonts that match your brand personality and use them exclusively. This creates visual recognition—viewers will start to recognize your slideshows before even seeing your username.

Logo/watermark placement should be consistent across every slideshow. Bottom right corner is conventional and doesn't interfere with TikTok's UI elements. Make your logo large enough to be visible but not so large it's distracting. Semi-transparent watermarks work well because they brand your content without overwhelming it.

Tone and messaging alignment across all your slideshows ensures viewers know what to expect from your content. If your brand voice is humorous, every slideshow should reflect that. If it's educational and professional, maintain that consistently. Wildly varying tones confuse audiences and dilute your brand identity.

Visual signature development is about creating a "look" that's instantly recognizable as yours. This might be a specific filter, a consistent layout pattern, or a unique way you frame your first slide. Study accounts in your niche with strong visual identity—they've developed signatures that make their content immediately recognizable in a crowded feed.

Engagement Optimization

Creating engagement isn't about gaming the system—it's about genuinely inviting viewers to participate.

Direct viewer prompts work because they give viewers explicit actions to take. "Comment which one you like best" generates comments. "Save this for later" generates saves. "Share with someone who needs this" generates shares. Don't be subtle—directly tell viewers what to do.

Interactive element integration means using TikTok's interactive features strategically. Poll stickers, question boxes, and quiz features all encourage active participation. Slideshows asking viewers to choose between options ("Which style: A or B?") naturally drive comments and engagement.

Time-based calls-to-action create urgency: "Try this today," "Comment before you forget," "Do this tonight." Time pressure motivates action more than open-ended suggestions.

Comment-baiting strategies (ethical) involve asking questions that viewers genuinely want to answer. "What's your favorite color?" is boring. "Which one did you do wrong?" is engaging because it's personal and specific. The key is making questions relevant to the content and genuinely interesting to answer.

Save-worthiness focus is critical because saves are one of TikTok's strongest algorithmic signals. Content people save is content TikTok considers valuable. Make your slideshows genuinely save-worthy by including information viewers will want to reference later: tips, product recommendations, tutorials, recipes, etc.

The underlying principle: engagement signals value to the algorithm. The more viewers interact with your slideshow, the more TikTok distributes it to new audiences.

E-commerce and Creator Use Cases

Slideshows aren't just a content format—they're a powerful tool for specific business objectives. Here's how different creators and brands are leveraging slideshows for maximum impact.

Product Showcases

Product slideshows are dominating e-commerce TikTok because they showcase items more effectively than video in many cases. Instead of quickly panning across products in a 10-second clip, slideshows let viewers examine each item at their own pace.

Product lookbooks highlighting variations work beautifully in slideshow format. Show your product in different colors, styles, or configurations—one per slide. Fashion brands show the same dress in 6 colorways. Furniture brands show a sofa in different fabric options. Tech brands show products in various size options. Viewers can swipe through all options and screenshot their favorites.

Color and style options presentation gives customers the visual information they need to make purchase decisions without leaving TikTok. Instead of forcing viewers to your website to browse variants, show them all upfront. Include product names and prices in text overlays so viewers have immediate information.

Multi-angle product displays solve the limitation of static e-commerce photos. Slide 1: front view. Slide 2: back view. Slide 3: side view. Slide 4: close-up of texture or material. Slide 5: product in use. This comprehensive visual walkthrough builds confidence in the product without requiring video filming.

Close-up detail revelation addresses concerns that keep people from buying online. Show the zipper quality, the stitching, the material texture, the hardware finish—all the tactile details people would examine in a store. These close-ups build trust because they prove you're not hiding anything.

Related: TikTok Product Creative Tips

Before-and-After Transformations

Transformation content is inherently engaging because it tells a story with a clear arc. Slideshows are perfect for this because viewers can compare before and after at their own pace.

Visual storytelling power in transformations comes from the dramatic contrast between starting point and result. Home renovation slideshows show a dated room, then renovation steps, then the finished space. Weight loss journeys show progress over months. Skincare results show skin condition changes over weeks.

Beauty, fitness, home decor applications all benefit from before-and-after format. Beauty: makeup transformations, hair color changes, nail designs. Fitness: body transformation, strength gains, meal prep results. Home decor: room makeovers, organization projects, DIY furniture rebuilds.

Step-by-step process documentation adds value beyond just showing the result. Don't jump from before to after—show the journey. Slide 1: the problem. Slides 2-6: the solution steps. Slide 7: the result. This educational component makes content more save-worthy because viewers might want to replicate your process.

Results demonstration for credibility is crucial for service-based businesses. Cleaners show dirty-to-clean. Organizers show chaos-to-organized. Landscapers show overgrown-to-manicured. These dramatic reveals prove capability better than any text description could.

Educational and Tutorial Content

Tutorial slideshows outperform video tutorials in specific scenarios, particularly when viewers need to reference specific steps repeatedly.

How-to styling guides work exceptionally well in slideshow format. Show 5 ways to style one piece of clothing, 7 ways to tie a scarf, or 10 outfit combinations from a capsule wardrobe. Each slide is a complete look viewers can screenshot and reference later when getting dressed.

Unboxing sequences build anticipation slide by slide. Opening the package, revealing the product, showing included accessories, demonstrating first use, sharing initial impressions. The progressive reveal keeps viewers swiping to see what comes next.

Assembly instructions are actually more useful as slideshows than videos because viewers can pause on each step as long as needed. Show furniture assembly, tech setup, or recipe preparation with one clear step per slide. No scrubbing through video timelines to find the step you need.

Daily-use demonstrations show how products integrate into real life. For a water bottle: morning routine, gym use, work desk, evening skincare. For a planner: morning planning, lunch break check-in, evening reflection. These context shots help viewers visualize actually using the product.

Value-add positioning is what separates promotional content from genuinely helpful content. Don't just show products—teach something. Show how to maximize the product's use, common mistakes to avoid, or creative applications viewers might not have considered.

Related: Best Carousel Content Ideas

Brand Storytelling

Behind-the-scenes and brand story slideshows build emotional connection with audiences in ways product showcases can't.

Behind-the-scenes content humanizes brands. Show your workspace, your team, your creative process, your daily operations. Small businesses especially benefit from this transparency—it differentiates you from faceless corporations and builds authentic relationships with customers.

Sourcing and process visibility matters to modern consumers who care about ethical production. Show where materials come from, how products are made, quality control processes, or packaging procedures. This transparency builds trust and can justify premium pricing.

Team and personality showcasing turns brands into communities. Introduce team members, share personal stories, highlight company culture. When viewers connect with the humans behind the brand, they're more likely to become loyal customers rather than one-time buyers.

Authenticity and relatability building comes from showing imperfections, challenges, and real moments—not just polished highlights. Share failures, lessons learned, or obstacles overcome. This vulnerability builds genuine connection that traditional advertising can't replicate.

UGC and customer review montages provide powerful social proof. Show real customers using your products, share testimonials with their photos, or compile user-generated content into themed slideshows. This third-party validation is far more persuasive than anything you could say about yourself.

Trend Capitalization

Smart creators repurpose existing assets to ride trending formats without creating new content from scratch.

Seasonal content opportunities let you repackage products for different contexts. Your summer product lineup becomes "Beach essentials," your winter products become "Cozy season must-haves." Same products, different framing based on what's seasonally relevant.

Trending format adoption means taking whatever slideshow style is currently popular and adapting it to your niche. If "Get ready with me" slideshows are trending, create your version. If "Things I regret buying vs. things I'd buy again" is popular, make one for your niche.

Niche trend integration keeps your content feeling current within your specific community. Beauty trends, fitness trends, decor trends—stay plugged into what's happening in your space and create slideshows addressing those trends.

Repurposing existing photo assets maximizes the ROI on content you've already created. Those product photos from your website? Slideshow. That photoshoot from three months ago? Slideshow. Email newsletter images? Slideshow. You don't need to create new content constantly—repackage what you have.

Cross-platform strategy means creating once and publishing everywhere. The slideshow you create for TikTok can also go on Instagram Reels (download it as a video), Instagram carousel posts (upload images individually), or YouTube Shorts. This multiplies your reach without multiplying your effort.

TikTok SEO Optimization for Slideshows

Creating great slideshows isn't enough—you need people to actually see them. TikTok SEO optimization ensures your content gets discovered by the right audience.

Keyword Integration Strategy

TikTok is increasingly functioning as a search engine, especially for Gen Z users who search TikTok instead of Google for recommendations and how-tos. Your slideshows need to be optimized for this search behavior.

Placing primary keyword in first 3 seconds (via text overlay or voice-over caption) signals to TikTok's algorithm what your content is about. If your slideshow is about "minimalist home decor," those exact words should appear in text on your first slide or in your voice-over. TikTok's AI reads text in images and prioritizes content accordingly in search results.

Cover slide keyword visibility is critical because TikTok indexes the text visible on your cover image. If someone searches "budget meal prep," your slideshow about budget meal prep should have those exact words visible in the cover image text overlay.

Caption keyword placement should frontload your primary keyword in the first sentence. "Minimalist home decor ideas that won't break the bank" immediately tells both viewers and the algorithm what your content covers. Don't bury your keyword in the third sentence—the algorithm weights earlier text more heavily.

Natural keyword inclusion means avoiding awkward stuffing that harms readability. "Minimalist home decor ideas minimalist decor minimalist home tips" reads terribly and actually hurts performance. Use your keyword once in the first sentence, maybe once more in the caption naturally, and let synonyms and related terms handle the rest.

Long-tail keyword targeting for less competition gives smaller accounts a better chance at visibility. Instead of targeting "makeup" (impossibly competitive), target "makeup for hooded eyes over 40" (specific, less competitive, better-qualified audience). Long-tail keywords have lower search volume but much higher conversion because they match specific intent.

Deep Dive: TikTok SEO Best Practices

Caption Optimization

Your caption is prime real estate for both SEO and engagement. Here's how to maximize it:

Hook-first caption structure means your opening sentence should be as compelling as your first slide. Don't start with "Hey guys!" or "Here's a post about..."—start with the benefit or intrigue. "Stop wasting money on these 3 skincare products" hooks better than "Sharing some skincare tips today."

Keyword density balance should be natural, not forced. Aim for your primary keyword once in the first sentence, related terms throughout, but never at the expense of readability. If you're tempted to use your keyword 5 times in a 100-word caption, you're probably over-optimizing.

Hashtag research and selection requires actual investigation, not guessing. Before using a hashtag, search it on TikTok. How many posts use it? What's the content quality like? What's getting views? Use hashtags that have enough volume to matter (at least 10M views) but not so much that you'll be buried instantly (under 500M is often better for smaller accounts).

Specificity over generality principle applies to both keywords and hashtags. "#fashion" is useless—you're competing with millions of posts. "#sustainablefashionover30" is specific enough to find your actual audience. Generic terms get ignored; specific terms get engaged with.

Call-to-action integration should appear at the end of your caption. After providing context and value, tell viewers what to do: "Save this for your next shopping trip," "Comment which tip you'll try first," or "Check the link in bio for the full guide." Don't be subtle—be direct.

Discoverability Techniques

Beyond basic SEO, these tactics help TikTok's algorithm understand your content and show it to the right people:

Auto-complete suggestion research in TikTok's search bar reveals what people are actively searching for. Type the first few words of your topic and see what TikTok suggests. These suggestions are based on actual search volume—optimize your content around phrases people are already searching for.

Creator Search Insights tool (available in TikTok's Creator Tools) shows trending search queries in your niche. Check this weekly and create slideshows addressing currently-trending searches. This is how you catch waves while they're building rather than after they've passed.

Trending topic alignment means creating content around what's currently popular while still staying on-brand. If "winter capsule wardrobe" is trending and you sell clothing, create a slideshow addressing that trend. Don't chase trends completely outside your niche, but do capitalize on adjacent ones.

Content gap identification is about finding topics your audience searches for but nobody's adequately covering. Use the search bar to explore questions in your niche. If you search "how to clean white sneakers" and the results are all low-quality, there's your opportunity—create the definitive slideshow on that topic.

Cross-platform keyword validation using Google, Ahrefs, or Semrush ensures you're targeting terms with genuine search volume beyond TikTok. If something gets 10,000 Google searches per month, it's probably being searched on TikTok too. This gives you confidence you're targeting valuable keywords rather than guessing.

Algorithm Amplification

These tactics work with TikTok's algorithm rather than against it, helping your slideshows reach larger audiences:

Video cover optimization for CTR improvement means choosing a cover image that stops scrolls and generates clicks. Test different cover images to see which drives more initial engagement. The cover doesn't have to be your first slide—it should be whichever image is most visually compelling.

Retention signal importance can't be overstated. TikTok cares about engagement over raw reach. A slideshow with 1,000 views and 80% completion rate will get pushed further than one with 10,000 views and 20% completion. Focus on keeping viewers through the entire slideshow rather than just getting initial views.

User interaction encouragement should be built into your slideshow structure, not just tacked on at the end. Ask questions on slide 3, invite opinions on slide 5, include a poll on slide 7. Multiple interaction points throughout the slideshow generate multiple engagement signals to the algorithm.

Replay and completion rate focus means structuring your slideshow to encourage both completing it and immediately swiping back to the beginning. Slideshows that loop well (where the end connects back to the beginning) see higher replay rates, which signals exceptional content to TikTok's algorithm.

Creator marketplace visibility increases as your engagement metrics improve. TikTok's Creator Marketplace connects brands with creators—consistently high-performing content gets you noticed for collaboration opportunities, which can be lucrative.

Related: TikTok SEO Optimization Guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These mistakes tank slideshow performance more than any other factors. Avoid them and you're already ahead of 90% of creators.

Quality and Technical Errors

Technical mistakes signal low-effort content, causing viewers to scroll past without engaging:

Pixelated or low-resolution images are the #1 mistake new creators make. Grabbing images from Google search results or using heavily compressed photos destroys credibility instantly. Every image must be high-resolution (minimum 1080x1920). If an image looks fine on your computer but blurry on your phone, it's too low quality—don't use it.

Inconsistent aspect ratios create jarring transitions that scream amateur. If slide 1 is 9:16 but slide 2 is 4:5, TikTok will letterbox the second slide with black bars. This inconsistency breaks the viewing experience and causes viewers to bounce. Crop all images to 9:16 before uploading.

Poor lighting or color clashing makes slideshows hard to look at. Dark, muddy images mixed with bright, overexposed ones create visual whiplash. Colors that clash (red and pink, blue and green) create cognitive dissonance. Maintain consistent lighting and complementary colors across all slides.

Misalignment of cover image expectations happens when your cover promises something your slideshow doesn't deliver. If your cover shows a dramatic before-and-after but your slideshow is actually a product list, viewers feel tricked and will skip your future content. Your cover must accurately represent what follows.

Content Strategy Mistakes

These strategic errors waste your effort by failing to engage viewers:

Insufficient image quantity (2-3 slides) doesn't provide enough value to justify viewer time. If you can only gather 3 slides of content, you probably don't have enough to say on that topic. Either expand your concept or choose a different topic.

Excessive quantity (15+ slides) creates swipe fatigue. Even high-quality content loses viewers when it goes on too long. Ruthlessly edit down to your strongest slides. If you have 15 great slides, create two separate slideshows rather than one bloated one.

Weak or absent hook is the most common reason slideshows fail. Your first slide needs to stop the scroll with a bold claim, provocative question, striking visual, or shocking statistic. Starting with "Hi everyone, today I'm going to show you..." doesn't stop anyone's scroll.

Missing clear call-to-action leaves viewers unsure what to do after viewing. They engaged with your content but don't know if you want them to comment, save, follow, or click your link. Tell them explicitly on the final slide.

Random image selection without narrative flow confuses viewers because there's no logical progression. Slides should flow: introduction → development → conclusion. Jumping randomly between topics or ideas causes viewers to give up trying to follow your point.

Trend-chasing without brand alignment destroys brand identity. Just because "things I'd bring to ancient Rome" is trending doesn't mean your B2B software company should create one. Trends work when they align with your brand; they backfire when they don't.

Engagement Optimization Failures

These missed opportunities leave engagement on the table:

Cluttered slides with excessive text/stickers overwhelm viewers cognitively. If every slide has 4 text boxes, 3 stickers, and competing visual elements, viewers' eyes don't know where to focus. One key message per slide, minimal decoration.

Irrelevant or outdated music selection hurts algorithmic distribution. Using a sound from 2023 when there are trending options in 2025 means missing out on TikTok's trend-pushing. Always check if your audio choice is currently trending—if not, find something that is.

Keyword stuffing harming readability happens when creators prioritize SEO over user experience. "Best minimalist home decor ideas for small minimalist homes with minimalist decorating" reads terribly. Write for humans first, optimize for algorithms second.

Insufficient brand consistency makes your content forgettable. If every slideshow uses different fonts, colors, and styles, viewers can't recognize your content in a crowded feed. Develop a visual signature and use it consistently.

No performance analysis or iteration means repeating the same mistakes. If you're not reviewing which slideshows perform best and why, you're flying blind. Check your analytics weekly, identify patterns, and adjust strategy based on what's actually working.

The thread connecting all these mistakes: they prioritize convenience over quality, or personal preference over audience needs. Avoid them by always asking: "Does this serve my viewer or just make my life easier?"

Advanced Tactics for Slideshow Mastery

Once you've mastered the fundamentals, these advanced tactics separate good slideshows from exceptional, high-performing content.

Interactive Elements

Interaction drives engagement, and engagement drives algorithmic distribution. Here's how to make slideshows genuinely interactive:

Poll integration strategies leverage TikTok's poll sticker feature. Add a poll to your 3rd or 4th slide asking viewers to choose between options. "Which color would you buy?" or "Which tip will you try first?" The act of voting is an engagement signal, and polls naturally encourage viewers to complete the slideshow to see which option wins.

Question-based engagement prompts invite specific responses. Instead of generic "Comment below," ask targeted questions: "What would you name this color?" or "How much would you pay for this?" Specific questions generate more comments because viewers know exactly what response you're looking for.

Challenge incorporation transforms passive viewers into active participants. "Screenshot your favorite slide and tag me" or "Try this tip today and show me your result" turns your slideshow into the starting point for user-generated content, which extends your reach through shares and mentions.

Gamification opportunities make slideshows more engaging. "Can you spot the difference between slide 2 and slide 4?" or "Guess what's in the final slide based on these clues" turns viewing into a game. Viewers stay engaged longer when they're actively puzzling something out rather than passively consuming.

Collaboration Strategies

Collaboration multiplies reach by tapping into multiple audiences:

Creator partnership opportunities come from dueting or stitching other creators' slideshows with your own addition. Find slideshows in your niche that are performing well, add your unique perspective or expanded information, and tag the original creator. This exposes you to their audience while providing additive value.

Influencer co-creation works when both parties contribute slides to a single slideshow. A fashion brand and a fashion influencer could each contribute 5 slides to a "10 outfit ideas" slideshow, with both accounts credited. Both parties share to their audiences, doubling reach.

Audience takeover concepts let your followers contribute slides. Run a campaign asking followers to submit photos of themselves using your product, then compile the best submissions into a UGC slideshow. This builds community and generates authentic content while giving contributors recognition.

Cross-promotion planning with complementary brands or creators extends reach. A meal prep creator and a food storage brand could create collaborative slideshows, each promoting to their respective audiences. Choose partners whose audiences overlap with yours but who aren't direct competitors.

Content Repurposing

Maximum content ROI comes from repurposing existing assets across formats and platforms:

Blog post visualization as carousel turns written content into visual slideshows. That 1,500-word blog post about "5 minimalist living tips"? Create a slideshow with one tip per slide. You've already done the research and writing—now just visualize it.

Email content transformation takes newsletters or email sequences and reformats them for TikTok. Educational email series about a topic? Each email becomes a slideshow. Product launch announcements? Slideshow. Customer success stories? Slideshow.

Landing page imagery utilization means your existing marketing assets can become slideshows. Those professional product photos on your website? Compile them into a product showcase slideshow. Testimonial graphics from your site? Customer review slideshow.

Newsletter content conversion works both directions. Turn your newsletter into TikTok slideshows for broader reach. Or turn successful TikTok slideshows into newsletter content for subscribers who want to save and reference your tips.

This repurposing approach dramatically reduces content creation burden. You're not creating from scratch constantly—you're reformatting existing valuable content for new audiences and platforms.

Performance Analytics

Data-driven decisions always outperform guessing. Here's how to analyze and iterate:

Tracking key metrics means monitoring more than just view count. Watch time percentage (retention), likes-to-views ratio, comments-to-views ratio, shares, and saves all matter. A slideshow with 1,000 views and 100 saves is more valuable than one with 10,000 views and 10 saves.

Engagement rate benchmarking helps you understand what "good" looks like for your account. Calculate your average engagement rate (likes + comments + shares / views) across 10 recent slideshows. That's your baseline. Anything significantly above baseline is working; significantly below needs improvement.

Comment sentiment analysis reveals how viewers actually feel about your content beyond just "did they comment." Are comments positive, asking questions, tagging friends? Or are they negative or spam? High comment volume with negative sentiment signals content that's controversial but not valuable.

Testing variables systematically means changing one element at a time to isolate what works. Create the same slideshow with three different music choices, post at different times, and track which performs best. Test hooks, CTAs, slide counts, and color schemes methodically rather than changing everything at once.

Iterative improvement cycles should happen weekly. Review last week's performance, identify what worked and what didn't, form a hypothesis about why, and adjust this week's content accordingly. This continuous improvement loop is how good creators become great ones.

The key insight: your audience tells you what works through their behavior. Listen to the data, not your assumptions about what should work.

Conclusion: Start Creating Slideshows Today

TikTok slideshows represent one of the most significant opportunities in short-form content right now. With 81% higher engagement rates than traditional video content, they're not just an alternative format—they're often the superior choice, especially for creators and brands focused on sustainable content production.

The beauty of slideshows is the asymmetry: they require dramatically less production effort than video while delivering equal or better engagement results. You don't need to film, you don't need complex editing skills, and you don't need expensive equipment. You need strong images, smart structure, and the optimization strategies we've covered in this guide.

We've walked through both creation methods—swipeable slideshows for maximum engagement and template-based slideshows for faster creation. Both have their place depending on your goals. For most creators focused on growth, swipeable format delivers better performance. For high-volume content needs, templates offer speed advantages.

The best practices we've covered aren't optional recommendations—they're the difference between content that gets algorithmically buried and content that gets pushed to massive audiences:

Hook-first structure that stops the scroll within one second
Consistent visual branding that builds recognition across posts
Strategic keyword optimization for search discovery
Clear calls-to-action that drive measurable outcomes
Ruthless editing to maintain momentum throughout

What separates successful slideshow creators from those who give up after a few attempts? Consistency and iteration. Your first slideshow probably won't go viral. Your tenth might not either. But by your twentieth, you'll have learned what your audience responds to, which hooks work, and which topics resonate.

The algorithm rewards creators who post consistently and learn from performance data. Each slideshow is a test. Each test gives you information. Each piece of information improves your next attempt. This iterative process is how unknown creators build audiences from zero.

Your Next Steps

Don't close this guide and tell yourself you'll "try it later." The best time to create your first slideshow is right now, while the format is still relatively underutilized and the algorithmic advantage is strong.

Here's what to do today:

Analyze your audience. What questions do they ask repeatedly? What problems do they need solved? Your first slideshow should address a genuine audience need, not just what you feel like creating.
Choose your topic. Start with something you can execute well rather than something ambitious. Better to create an excellent 7-slide product showcase than a mediocre 15-slide tutorial.
Gather your images. Pull from existing assets first. Don't wait to do a professional photoshoot—use what you have and upgrade later as needed.
Create your first draft. Follow the preparation → upload → customize → publish process we outlined. Don't overthink it. Done is better than perfect when you're starting.
Set up a performance tracking framework. Create a simple spreadsheet to track views, engagement rate, watch time, and key learnings for each slideshow you publish. This data becomes your roadmap for improvement.

If you're looking to streamline this entire process, Reelbase automates slideshow creation with AI-powered optimization. It handles image selection, text overlay generation, trending audio matching, and even posting schedules—letting you focus on strategy while automation handles execution.

But whether you're creating manually or using tools, the underlying principles remain the same: hook aggressively, deliver value efficiently, and guide viewers toward a clear action.

The slideshows dominating TikTok in 2025 weren't created by people with more resources or better equipment than you have. They were created by people who understood the format's strengths and optimized accordingly.

Your turn. Create your first slideshow today.

Want to scale your TikTok slideshow production? Reelbase generates high-engagement slideshows automatically, optimized for TikTok's algorithm. Try it free and start creating content that converts.