Instagram is testing a feature that could revolutionize how Reels creators test and optimize their content: Trial Reels. This tool allows creators to gauge audience reactions before fully committing their content to their main profile. Let’s dive into how it works and why it matters.

What Are Trial Reels?

Trial Reels give creators the option to share their content with a select group of non-followers first. This test audience provides a “safe zone” for creators to experiment with new formats or topics, free from the pressures of their established follower base.

Instagram explains:

“We often hear from creators that they feel nervous about posting too much to their audience or trying out new content that’s outside of their niche on Instagram, for fear of it not resonating with their followers. Trial reels will be shown to non-followers first. Now, if you want to try out a new genre, storytelling format or topic, you can easily get a gut check on how your content might perform.”

How Does It Work?

When creating a Reel, you can select the “Trial” option. This will share your content with a random selection of non-followers. The Reel won’t appear on your profile grid or Reels tab, ensuring privacy during the testing phase.

Key features include:

• Metrics: After 24 hours, creators can view insights such as views, likes, comments, and shares, along with comparisons to previous trial Reels.

• Control: If a trial performs well, you can choose to share it with your full audience. Alternatively, you can opt for Instagram’s automatic sharing feature, which evaluates performance within 72 hours and shares successful trials with your followers.

• Flexibility: If a Reel doesn’t perform as expected, you can discard it without your main audience ever seeing it.

Why It’s Useful

This tool is ideal for creators experimenting with new content types, genres, or formats. It eliminates the fear of alienating existing followers and allows creators to explore untapped creative ideas. As Instagram notes, some trial Reels may still reach followers indirectly if shared, but the overall aim is to offer a lower-risk environment for experimentation.

Instagram further elaborates:

“If your trial reel is performing well, you can choose to ‘share with everyone’ so your followers can see it and increase its reach, or ... have Instagram automatically share your trial reel with followers if we determine it’s performing well based on the views it receives within the first 72 hours.”

Important Considerations

Since trial Reels are tested with a different audience, the engagement metrics might not directly correlate to regular Reels performance. Creators may need to test multiple Reels to establish benchmarks for what “good” performance looks like in this experimental context.

Availability and Next Steps

Currently, Trial Reels are being rolled out to selected creators and will be available globally in the coming weeks. If you’re a creator looking to refine your Reels strategy, this feature could provide valuable insights to shape your content direction.

Trial Reels could become a critical tool in the creator's toolkit, helping Instagram solidify its position as a platform that empowers creative experimentation while prioritizing audience engagement.