How to Use Instagram Trial Reels and Why They Matter
Let’s face it: no matter how carefully you plan your Instagram strategy, you can never fully predict how your audience will react. After all, your followers are real people, with their own moods, preferences, and quirks.
The way they engage with your content can change from day to day, making it difficult to hit the mark every single time. That’s why I always encourage Instagram creators and social media marketers to experiment. Take risks, try something new, and don’t be afraid to step outside the box.
But I get it – it’s a little harder to take those risks on Instagram, where the focus is often on maintaining a perfectly curated feed. The fear of losing followers can also make experimenting feel like a daunting task.
Luckily, Instagram has introduced a solution that takes the pressure off: Trial Reels. This feature allows you to test your content without worrying about the long-term impact on your profile. After using it myself, I can confidently say that Trial Reels are an incredibly underrated tool for anyone looking to grow their presence on Instagram.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how to use them, why they’re worth it, and give you some creative ideas to kickstart your testing.
Table of Contents
What Are Trial Reels on Instagram?
Instagram Trial Reels are a unique feature that allows you to experiment with short-form video content in a way that doesn’t directly impact your main feed.
Unlike regular Reels, these trial videos are only shown to people who don’t follow you, meaning you can test new ideas without worrying about how they’ll be received by your existing audience. If your trial reel doesn’t land as expected, your current followers won’t even know it was posted.
Instagram’s head of product, Adam Mosseri, has highlighted the benefits of using Trial Reels for experimentation. He explains that “these reels give creators and brands the chance to test content with non-followers, gauge the reactions, and then decide whether to promote the video to their main audience.
It’s like having a digital focus group at your fingertips – users will see your trial reel as part of their usual feed, and you can track comments, likes, and other interactions just like you would with any other post.”
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One of the best things about Trial Reels is the feedback loop. You’ll start seeing insights within just 24 hours. This allows you to quickly evaluate if the content is resonating with the audience. If it performs well, you can share it with your followers and add it to your profile.
On the other hand, if it doesn’t perform as expected, you still walk away with valuable data to refine your future content strategy.
Who Can Post Instagram Trial Reels?
As of December 2024, Instagram Trial Reels are available to professional brand and creator accounts globally. This feature is designed to help businesses and influencers test their content in a low-risk environment.
In addition, some select creators without professional accounts have also been granted access as part of Instagram’s ongoing testing phase.
As the feature evolves, it’s expected that Instagram will gradually roll it out to even more accounts, allowing more users to experiment with Trial Reels and refine their content strategies.
Posting an Instagram Trial Reel is just as easy as sharing a regular Reel, but with the added benefit of testing content with non-followers before deciding whether to share it more widely.
If you have access to this feature, you can quickly get feedback on your videos without the pressure of affecting your main feed. Here’s how to do it:
Sharing Trial Reels with Non-Followers
To get started, follow these simple steps:
- Tap the + icon at the bottom of the app and select “Reel.”
- Upload your pre-edited video, or record and edit directly within the Instagram app.
- Once your video is ready, tap “Next” to move to the caption editing page. If you have access to Trial Reels, you’ll see a toggle button just below the caption box. Simply flip it on to share your Reel with non-followers.
- Complete your caption, add your chosen music, tags, and finalize any other settings, then hit “Share” to post your Trial Reel.
After posting, you’ll be able to see insights about your Trial Reel within 24 hours. Since the reel isn’t visible on your profile, you’ll need to navigate to your profile, then go to the Reels tab.
There, you’ll find the “Drafts and Trial Reels” section. Tap on it to access your trial reel, then click on “View Reel Insights.” This will bring up a dashboard similar to the one for regular Reels, where you can track metrics such as likes, views, comments, shares, saves, etc.
If the results are promising and the content is resonating, you can easily share it with your followers directly from this page. Now, let’s show the steps to follow to share your trial reels to everyone.
Sharing Trial Reels with Everyone
If your Trial Reel performs well and you’re ready to share it with a broader audience, there are several ways to make that happen:
- When you first share your Trial Reel, go to the Settings section on the final editing page and toggle the option to “Share to Everyone.” If the reel performs well within the first 72 hours, Instagram may automatically push it to your full audience.
- If you’d prefer to make the decision manually, keep the toggle off. This gives you more control over when your Trial Reel goes live for everyone.
- After posting your Trial Reel, you can track its performance by selecting “View Insights” at the bottom of the reel. This will provide you with detailed data on how well it’s resonating.
- If you want to share your Trial Reel with everyone, simply click the “Share to Everyone” button that appears after reviewing the insights.
Why Should You Use Instagram Trial Reels?
Perhaps you are still contemplating whether to use Instagram Reels or not. Let’s take a moment to look at some of the benefits they offer.
Test New Content Ideas Without Risking Your Followers
Trial Reels allow you to try fresh content without worrying about how your followers will react. If something doesn’t perform well, it won’t affect your main feed, so you can experiment freely and find out what works.
Get Feedback from Fresh Eyes
Since Trial Reels are shown to non-followers, you’re getting feedback from a whole new audience. This gives you insights into how your content resonates with people outside your usual circle, which can be super valuable when refining your strategy.
Experiment with Different Niches or Formats
Want to try a new niche or experiment with different types of content? Trial Reels make it easy. Whether you’re testing a new style, format, or theme, you can do it without worrying about disrupting your established feed.
Answer Specific Questions About Your Content
Trial Reels help you answer questions like, “What song works best for this reel?” or “Should I use text or voiceovers?” You can test these elements and get clear insights on what works best for your audience.
Eliminate the Worry of Posting Too Much
We all worry about overwhelming our followers with too many posts, but Trial Reels eliminate that concern. You can post as often as you like without worrying about annoying your audience. It’s the perfect way to stay active and consistent without the pressure.
In short, using Instagram Trial Reels is a smart way to refine your content, experiment without fear, and gather valuable feedback. If you’re looking to grow and improve your Instagram strategy, these are definitely a tool worth incorporating.
Best Practices for Using Instagram Trial Reels
To make the most of Instagram Trial Reels, it’s important to approach them with a clear strategy. Here are some best practices to help you get the best results:
Align Your Trial Reels with Your Business Objectives
Before posting any Trial Reels, make sure they align with your overall business goals. Whether you’re aiming to increase brand awareness, drive engagement, or test a new product, having a clear objective will help guide your content and ensure you’re testing the right things.
Have a Clear Question You Want Answered
Each Trial Reel should have a specific purpose. Are you wondering what type of content your audience will engage with most? Or maybe you want to see if a new format or trend works for your brand?
Make sure you have a clear question in mind. This will give your experiment direction and make it easier to measure success.
Tap into Engaging Trends
Trends are a great way to grab attention and connect with a larger audience. Use your Trial Reels to tap into popular trends, challenges, or hashtags. By experimenting with trends, you can see if they fit with your brand and how your audience reacts.
Try Out a Variety of Content Types
Don’t be afraid to mix things up. Trial Reels are the perfect opportunity to experiment with different content types, whether it’s behind-the-scenes footage, tutorials, product showcases, or humorous clips. Testing a variety of content will help you discover what resonates best with your audience.
Manage Your Expectations on Results
Not every trial will be a hit, and that’s okay. Some content may not perform as expected, but this doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Treat each trial as a learning opportunity. Over time, you’ll better understand what works for your audience and refine your strategy accordingly.
Track the Right Metrics
Make sure you’re tracking the right metrics to evaluate the success of your Trial Reels. Key insights like views, likes, comments, shares, saves, and watch time will give you a clearer picture of what’s working. Pay attention to these metrics to fine-tune your content and improve future trials.