How to Use Instagram’s ‘Trial Reels’ Feature to Test Content Before Posting
Learn how to leverage Instagram's Trial Reels feature to test content with non-followers and refine your strategy without impacting your profile.
Instagram's Trial Reels feature lets you test content with non-followers before sharing it with your main audience. It’s a low-risk way to experiment with ideas, formats, or styles without affecting your profile grid or follower engagement. Here’s what you need to know:
- Who Can Use It? Only available for professional accounts (Creator or Business).
- How It Works: Post a Reel visible only to non-followers. Gather insights like views, likes, and shares within 24 hours.
- Auto-Share Option: If a Trial Reel performs well, it can automatically publish to your followers after 72 hours.
- Key Metrics to Track: Watch time, shares, likes, and unique reach.
This tool helps creators refine their content strategy, test ideas safely, and boost engagement without disrupting their existing audience. Want to get started? Switch to a professional account, create a Reel, and toggle the "Trial" option during posting.
Trial Reels on Instagram: Step by Step Tutorial and Strategy Tips
Setting Up Trial Reels
Now that you know the perks, it's time to set up your account and get started with Trial Reels.
Account Requirements
Trial Reels on Instagram are only available for professional accounts (Business or Creator). If you’re using a personal account, you’ll need to switch.
To check your account type, head to Settings and Privacy > Account. If you see the option to "Switch to Professional Account", you’ll need to upgrade before you can access Trial Reels.
Setup Steps
Here’s how to get started:
- Update the Instagram app to the latest version.
- Create a Reel: Tap the "+" icon and choose "Reel" from the menu.
- Enable the "Trial" option on the sharing screen.
- Adjust auto-share settings to fit your goals.
"Trial Reels allow you to post a reel just to accounts that do not follow you, and then you can decide if it does well if you want to upgrade it to your followers and to your profile." - Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram
After completing these steps, tweak your basic settings to finalize the setup.
Basic Settings
Trial Reels focus on three main settings:
| Setting | What It Does | Suggested Option |
|---|---|---|
| Audience Selection | Decides who sees your trial reel | Set to non-followers |
| Performance Tracking | Tracks engagement stats | Viewable after 24 hours |
| Auto-Share Rules | Publishes content to all followers automatically | Use a 72-hour engagement threshold |
Pay close attention to the auto-share feature. If turned on, Instagram will automatically share your reel with all your followers if it performs well within the first 72 hours. You can adjust this setting for each reel before posting.
Note: Trial Reels won’t appear on your profile grid or feeds but could still show up in direct messages, shared audio, or location tags. Choose your test content wisely!
Making Your First Trial Reel
Here's a straightforward guide to creating and testing your first Trial Reel on Instagram.
Step-by-Step Creation Guide
Follow these steps to get started:
- Open Instagram, tap the "+" icon, and select "Reel" from the menu.
- Record a video directly or upload one you've already edited.
- Use Instagram's tools to trim your footage, add music, text overlays, and filters.
- On the final screen, toggle the "Trial" option to make it visible only to non-followers.
Once you've completed these steps, your account is ready for testing.
"Trial reels allow you to post a reel just to accounts that do not follow you, and then you can decide if it does well if you want to upgrade it to your followers."
– Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram
Content Tips
Data suggests that certain types of content tend to work better for Trial Reels. Here's a breakdown:
| Content Type | User Preference | Best Practices |
|---|---|---|
| Funny Content | 50% of users | Add humor that appeals to a broad audience. |
| Creative Posts | 46% of users | Highlight fresh perspectives or inventive ideas. |
| Informative Content | 41% of users | Share helpful tips or insights your audience can use. |
Try experimenting with engaging hooks or tapping into trending topics to see what resonates most with your test audience.
Posting Instructions
When you're ready to post, follow these steps:
- Double-check your settings to ensure the "Trial" toggle is on.
- Set performance goals: Enable auto-share for content that does well.
- Fine-tune distribution: Use relevant hashtags and categories to reach your target audience.
"Trial Reels allow you to test engagement before making a final decision, minimizing the risk of underperforming content affecting your profile metrics", explains Nicholas Thackray from Phable.io.
Once posted, monitor your insights dashboard after 24 hours to evaluate performance.
sbb-itb-3c55afb
Measuring Results
Key Performance Numbers
Wait at least 24 hours before analyzing these key metrics in your Insights dashboard:
| Metric | What It Measures | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Watch Time | Average time viewers spend watching | Indicates viewer retention |
| Sends | Number of times your reel is shared | Reflects shareability |
| Likes | Total likes received | Shows audience appeal |
| Unique Reach | Number of unique viewers | Tracks content distribution |
| Replays | Number of repeat views | Highlights rewatch value |
These metrics help you compare your Trial Reel's performance to past tests and identify trends.
Reading Your Results
To get a clear picture of your performance, compare your current results with past Trial Reels. Keep in mind that Trial Reels often have different visibility settings than regular Reels.
Here's how to interpret the data:
- Strong Performance: Higher sends and watch time compared to your previous Trial Reels.
- Moderate Success: Engagement rates align with the average of your Trial Reels.
- Needs Improvement: Noticeably lower watch time or minimal shares.
Improving Future Content
Use the insights from your metrics to refine your content strategy. For instance, a February 2025 study tested different audio formats, revealing that trending audio led to 24% more views than voiceover content, and 33% more than ASMR-style audio.
| Audio Type | View Rate Compared to Baseline | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Trending Audio | +24% | Best performer |
| Voiceover | Baseline | Average |
| ASMR | -7% | Lowest engagement |
To enhance your Trial Reels:
- Focus on watch time and engagement trends to pinpoint what keeps viewers interested and encourages sharing.
- Experiment with different formats, but keep one element consistent for accurate testing.
"Trial reels provide a low-risk way to test creative ideas or unconventional content styles without the pressure of immediately sharing them with your followers." - Kapwing
Publishing to All Followers
When to Go Public
Keep an eye on your Trial Reel for at least 24 hours to evaluate its performance. Based on the results, decide if it's ready to be shared with a wider audience. Initially, Trial Reels are displayed only to non-followers.
Boosting Views and Engagement
When you're ready to expand your Reel's audience, consider these tips to improve its reach and interaction:
- Use trending audio tracks to make your Reel stand out
- Add clear calls-to-action to encourage engagement
- Include relevant hashtags in your captions
- Post during peak activity times, like 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST, Monday through Thursday
Quick-Share Settings
After reviewing your Trial Reel's performance, take advantage of Instagram's automated publishing options. If your Reel performs well within the first 72 hours, you can activate automatic sharing to all followers. Go to your Trial Reel insights and choose between manual or automatic sharing. For high-performing Reels, enabling automatic sharing can save time and simplify your process.
Conclusion: Using Trial Reels Effectively
Let’s sum it up:
Trial Reels offer a smart way to test content on Instagram without exposing experiments to your main audience. This helps creators fine-tune their strategy while maintaining strong connections with their followers. It’s a game-changer for testing and improving content before sharing it widely.
Studies show that content polished through Trial Reels often performs better, giving creators the confidence to make informed, data-backed decisions. To succeed with this tool, focus on clear goals, stick to 24-hour analysis windows, and carefully compare your test results.
"To get value from trial reels, you need to get crystal clear on what you want to know"
