Instagram Introduces ‘Trial Reels’ Feature; What It Is and How to Share

Instagram has rolled out a feature called 'trial reels' to help creators experiment with content. This tool allows users to share reels with non-followers first, providing insights into how their content might perform. If a trial reel does well, creators can easily share it with their followers or set it to automatically do so.

How to Share Trial Reels

To create a trial reel, follow the standard steps for making a reel and activate the "Trial" option before sharing. Once shared, these trial reels appear alongside drafts on your profile but remain hidden from your main grid and Reels tab unless you decide otherwise.

After about 24 hours of posting a trial reel, you can access engagement metrics such as views, likes, comments, and shares. These insights help gauge the reel's performance. If satisfied with the results, you can opt to share it widely or automate this process based on initial engagement within 72 hours.

Your followers won't see trial reels in their feed or Reels tab unless shared broadly. However, they might encounter them through direct messages or pages featuring similar audio or filters. This indirect exposure offers additional feedback on content appeal.

If a trial reel gains traction, you have the option to make it visible to all followers. This increases its reach across Instagram's various platforms. Alternatively, you can set up automatic sharing if the reel meets certain view thresholds within three days of posting.

Once shared publicly, the reel becomes part of your profile grid and is eligible for distribution across all Instagram surfaces. This ensures that successful content reaches a broader audience and maximises engagement potential.

The introduction of trial reels aims to simplify content testing for creators by providing real-time feedback from non-followers. This feature helps refine strategies and improve overall content quality by understanding what resonates best with audiences. This new feature will be available to all eligible creators in the coming weeks.

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