Instagram Trial Reels: Are They Worth The Hype?
It’s been a little while since Instagram shook up its platform with the introduction of Trial Reels, a feature that's got content creators buzzing. Important note: you'll need a Professional Account (either Creator or Business) to access this feature, so if you haven't made the switch yet, that's your first step.
But is this new feature actually worth your time and effort? Let's break down what Instagram Trial Reels are all about and whether they deserve a spot in your content strategy.
What Exactly Are Instagram Trial Reels?
Instagram Trial Reels are the platform's latest attempt to boost creator reach and engagement. Essentially, these are Reels that Instagram temporarily promotes to an audience beyond your followers, giving your content a "trial run" with new viewers. If the Reel performs well during this testing period, Instagram will continue to push it to even more users, potentially leading to virality content.
What We Know So Far
1) It's Been a Mixed Bag of Success
Like most new features, Trial Reels have produced varied results for different creators. Some users have reported significant spikes in engagement within hours of posting, with view counts climbing much higher than their standard content. Others have seen more minor or even negligible differences compared to regular Reels.
The key factor is how well your content performs in the first few hours after posting. If viewers are interacting with your Trial Reel through comments, shares and saves, Instagram takes notice and continues to push your reach.
2) New followers, unlocked
The most promising aspect of Trial Reels is their ability to attract new followers. This makes sense when you consider the feature is specifically designed to introduce your content to people who don't already follow you.
For smaller accounts looking to grow, this presents a significant opportunity. Given how difficult it is these days to grow followers, this is a huge selling point. And unlike paid promotions and/or boosting posts, Trial Reels don't require any budget, just creative content that resonates with viewers.
3) Duration Preferences
While regular Reels can be up to 90 seconds, Trial Reels that are between 15-30 seconds seem to perform best. This shorter format helps maintain viewer attention and increases the likelihood of complete views, which is a key metric in the Trial Reels algorithm.
4) Posting Time Affects Performance
Unlike regular content where posting time matters less, Trial Reels appear to perform better when posted during peak engagement hours. Many successful creators report better results when posting Trial Reels between 7-9 PM, when more users are actively scrolling and engaging.
Should You Try Instagram Trial Reels?
If you have access to Trial Reels, they're definitely worth experimenting with. The potential upside for account growth and increased reach is significant, particularly if you've been struggling to break through Instagram's regular algorithm.
If you’re want to learn more about what to expect when posting your first Trial Reel, read our blog here.
