Everything You Need to Know About Instagram’s New Feature: Trial Reels

Instagram continues to push the boundaries of social media innovation with its latest addition to Instagram Reels, the exciting new feature called Trial Reels.

This tool is designed for creators to test their content with a wider audience, offering a unique opportunity to refine their content strategy, connect with new audiences, and maximize engagement.

Let’s dive into how Trial Reels work and why they matter.

What Are Instagram Trial Reels?

Trial Reels are a feature that allows Instagram creators to test their content with non-followers before sharing it with their established audience. In a blog post last week, Instagram announced this feature. The goal is to provide a space for experimentation and to gather insights into what resonates with viewers.

Creators can share trial reels to gather feedback before making them public.

Instead of directly publishing a reel to followers, creators can opt for the “Trial” feature, which showcases the content to a randomized audience. Within 24 hours, Instagram provides detailed analytics about the reel’s performance, including views, likes, comments etc.

When a trial reel is shared, only you will be able to see that it is designated as a trial.

Creators then decide whether to publish the reel for their followers or let it remain as a trial-only post.

How Does the Feature Work?

Create a Reel: Use Instagram’s editing tools to craft a compelling reel.
Enable Trial Mode: Toggle the “Trial” option before posting.
Review Metrics: Analyze the reel’s performance after 24 hours through Instagram’s insights.
Decide on Publication: Publish the reel to followers if it performs well or use the feedback to improve future content.
Enable Automatic Sharing: If the reel performs well, you can set it to share trial reels automatically with your followers.

Why Trial Reels Are a Game-Changer

Trial Reels offer creators and brands an incredible opportunity to refine their content strategy. Here’s why they’re making waves:

Audience Testing: Content gets tested on an unbiased audience, offering creators raw feedback on what works and what doesn’t.
Data-Driven Content: With access to detailed engagement metrics, creators can make informed decisions about their content, ensuring it resonates with both new audiences and existing followers.
Safe Experimentation: Trial Reels allow creators to take risks and experiment with new ideas without worrying about negative impacts on their core audience.
Boosted Discoverability: Reaching non-followers during the trial phase provides exposure to fresh audiences, increasing visibility and growth potential, and helping to gain new followers.

Best Practices for Using Trial Reels

If you’re a creator or marketer looking to get the most out of Trial Reels, here are some best practices to consider:

Craft Engaging Hooks: Grab attention within the first few seconds to prevent viewers from scrolling away.
Experiment With Trends: Use trending audio, effects, and topics to boost your reel’s chances of going viral.
Keep It Snappy: Focus on concise, visually appealing reels that deliver a clear message.
Analyze Metrics Closely: Use Instagram’s insights to understand what resonates with your test audience.
Iterate and Improve: Use the feedback from Trial Reels to refine your overall content strategy.
Use the Same Audio: Utilize trending audio that others are using to increase the chances of your reel being discovered.

Sharing Trial Reels on Instagram

Sharing trial reels on Instagram is a straightforward process that allows creators to experiment with new ideas and get early feedback on their content. To share a trial reel, follow the same steps as sharing a regular Instagram reel.

However, keep in mind that only the creator will be able to see that their reel is a trial. After sharing a trial reel, followers won’t see it in Feed or Instagram’s Reels tab. The trial reel will not appear in the creator’s profile’s reels tab or main grid unless shared with everyone later.

To share a trial reel with everyone, go to the reels viewer and select the “Share to everyone” option. This will make the reel visible on the main grid and reels tab of the creator’s profile, and may be seen by followers in their Feed and Instagram’s Reels tab. The sooner the reel is shared with everyone, the more likely followers will see it in their Feed.

Additionally, creators can have Instagram automatically share their trial reel with followers if it’s performing well. To turn on automatic sharing, go to the reels viewer and select the “Share automatically” option.

Measuring Success with Trial Reels

Measuring the success of trial reels is crucial to understanding how they perform and making data-driven decisions. Instagram provides creators with insights on their trial reels within 24 hours of sharing.

To view these insights, go to the reels viewer and select the “View trial insights” button. This will display key engagement metrics such as Views, Likes, Comments, and Shares.

Creators can use these metrics to determine whether their trial reel is performing well and whether it’s worth sharing with everyone. If a trial reel is performing well, creators can choose to share it with their followers with one tap or set it up to be shared automatically.

Additionally, creators can use the insights to refine their content strategy and create more engaging content for their audience.

By measuring the success of trial reels, creators can gain a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t, and adjust their strategy accordingly. This can help them grow their follower count, increase engagement, and ultimately achieve their goals on Instagram.

Who Benefits Most From Trial Reels?

While this feature is currently exclusive to creator accounts, it has significant implications for influencers, solo entrepreneurs, and content creators looking to expand their reach. Even brands working with influencers can benefit indirectly by collaborating with creators to test content ideas before scaling them for larger campaigns.

Conclusion

Instagram Trial Reels represent a fresh approach to content creation and strategy, giving creators a unique tool to test and refine their work. By embracing this feature, creators can experiment boldly, connect with new audiences, and ultimately deliver content that resonates.

Keep an eye on Instagram for updates as this feature evolves—it could shape the future of how we create and share content on social media.