This new option allows creators to test their Reels with accounts that don’t follow them. The goal: to determine whether a piece of content will resonate or not!
In the age of content creation, Instagram must innovate to adapt to the needs of creators, but also to stand out from TikTok. That’s why the platform has just launched the trial option for Reels, or Trial Reels in English, which will allow creators to explore new formats without the pressure of performance. Some users are already convinced, while others remain more skeptical…
How to Publish Trial Reels
Here are the different steps for your Reels tests:
- You post a Reel by enabling the Trial option. This feature allows your post to be shared only with accounts that don’t follow you.
- Approximately 24 hours after sharing your test Reel, you can view key engagement stats: views, likes, comments, and shares.
- If your test Reel performs well, you can choose whether or not to “share it with everyone” so your followers can see it.
Don’t have the option yet? Instagram is rolling out globally in the coming weeks to all business accounts. Stay tuned!
An automatic sharing option to your followers
It’s worth noting that you can request to automate the sharing action to your audience if the test is successful. Instagram can automatically share your test Reel with your followers if its system determines that the content is performing well based on the views it receives within the first 72 hours.
Test Reels may take longer to get views because we’re looking for viewers who aren’t following you and are likely to enjoy the content. These Reels are treated separately from your other Reels in our ranking systems.
Test Reels will not be visible to your followers unless…
Here are some additional things you should know about the visibility of your posts:
- Only you will be able to see that you have published a “Test Reel”,
- Your test Reel will not appear on your main profile grid or in the Reels tab unless you decide to share it with everyone later.
- Your followers won’t see the test Reel in their feed or in the Reels tab, but they may see it if someone shares it to them in a private message, for example.
To find out all the details about this new testing option, you can refer to the Instagram help page.
Test Reels are a matter of debate…
It is instructive to look at the comments on Instagram’s announcement post, where two ways of thinking can be distinguished: the convinced and the skeptics.
On the one hand, there are those who think it’s a good idea and are happy to be able to use this option to test new ideas. There are some positive comments, with some people eager to try the new feature. Additionally, one creator selected for testing even endorsed the concept: “I was one of the creators chosen to pilot this. My Reels work better with testing.”
On the other hand, there are those who think it’s irrelevant because Instagram users will see more content from accounts they don’t follow, which could degrade their experience. Some even find it illogical: “It makes no sense. The Reel should first appear to all your followers and then, if it works well, to others.”
“But my subscribers don’t see my Reels anyway, so what benefit does it provide if they’re shown to non-subscribers?” one comment read.
Creators are also taking the opportunity to complain again about the algorithm, which they believe isn’t pushing their posts enough to their followers. “Just show our posts to people who have agreed to follow us, stop with this nonsense,” read the comments. Users have been frustrated by the lack of visibility of their content for some time, and they take pleasure in reminding Instagram of this with each new feature it rolls out.
