Most creators know the dilemma: a new idea might work, but it might also confuse the followers who came for something else. Instagram built trial reels, introduced in December 2024, for exactly that. A trial reel goes to people who don't follow you first, and your followers won't see it in their feed or Reels tab unless you share it with everyone.
The short version
- Trial reels are shown to non-followers first.
- About 24 hours later Instagram shows views, likes, comments and shares.
- Share with everyone yourself, or let Instagram do it if the reel performs well within 72 hours.
How do you post a trial reel?
According to Instagram, you create a Reel as usual and turn on the trial option before sharing. Afterwards it sits on your profile next to your drafts, not in your grid. Only you can see that it is a trial reel.
There is one requirement. Instagram's Reels page for creators says you need a professional account, while some creators without one may get access as part of ongoing tests.
A trial reel isn't completely hidden from followers. Instagram notes that someone could send it to them in a direct message, or that it could appear on pages that collect Reels with the same audio, location or filter.
Test ideas without the phone shuffle
If your account supports trial reels, BestPost lets you pick between a Reel and a trial reel when scheduling.
- Runs in the browser, on your computer and on your phone
- Every text stays editable until you post
- Pulls the thumbnail straight from the video
When do you see how a trial reel performs?
Around 24 hours after sharing, Instagram shows the key numbers right in the Reel: views, likes, comments and shares. It also compares the reel with your earlier trial reels, so you can tell whether the new idea beats your previous experiments.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| On sharing | The Reel goes out to people who don't follow you |
| After about 24 hours | Views, likes, comments and shares become visible |
| During the first 72 hours | Instagram measures views for automatic sharing |
| After sharing with everyone | The Reel appears in your grid and reaches your followers |
How do you share a trial reel with everyone?
Instagram offers two ways. Share it yourself with a single tap once you like the numbers. Or set it up while creating the reel so that Instagram shares it with your followers automatically if it performs well, based on views in the first 72 hours. You can change that setting at any time.
Only after sharing with everyone does the Reel show up in your profile grid and reach your followers across Instagram.
What are trial reels good for?
They pay off most when you try something that departs from your usual content:
- a new format, such as an explainer instead of a sketch,
- a topic you are unsure your audience cares about,
- two versions of the same hook, to see which one holds attention.
The usual Reel rules still apply. Instagram only recommends Reels up to three minutes to non-followers, see how long Instagram Reels can be. And one trial reel proves little on its own. It takes several attempts to tell whether a direction really works.
Experiments side by side
The calendar shows which idea ran when, so you can compare the numbers afterwards.
- Shows every date in one calendar you rearrange with a click
- Shows views, likes and comments per video and channel
- Spreads the dates across your weekly pattern and posts on its own
How do trial reels work with BestPost?
BestPost offers trial reels to accounts with 1,000 followers or more. For those accounts the scheduling step has a choice between Reel and trial reel. A trial reel posted through BestPost goes to non-followers first, just like one posted in the app. Whether and when you share it with everyone is your call in the Instagram app afterwards. BestPost never shares it for you.
For scheduling Reels in general, see how to schedule Instagram Reels. For how often a new Reel makes sense, see how often to post Reels.