Trial Reels are a new Instagram format that lets you test how a Reel performs before publishing it permanently on your feed. Trial Reels are shown exclusively to people who don't follow your account (non-followers), so you can analyze initial performance without impacting your existing audience.
Note: Not all Instagram accounts have access to this feature. Availability depends entirely on Instagram.
What you should know before getting started
You need at least 1,000 followers to publish Trial Reels.
Collaborators (Collabs) can't be added to this type of content.
Trial Reels are shown only to non-followers during the testing period.
In Simplified, the Trial Reel option will always appear, but if Instagram hasn't enabled the feature for your account, publishing will fail.
Not all accounts have access, as Instagram rolls out this feature gradually.
Share to Feed options
Instagram lets you decide what happens to your Trial Reel after its initial publication. In Simplified, you have three options:
Disabled - Normal Reel This publishes the reel as a regular reel, not as a trial reel.
Enabled - Manual Share The Trial Reel won't be shared automatically with your followers, even if it performs well. You'll need to manually decide whether to publish it to your feed directly from Instagram after the testing period.
Enabled - Auto Share Instagram will evaluate the Trial Reel's performance during the first 72 hours. If it gets a high number of views during that period, it will automatically be shared with your full audience on your feed.
Note: This feature and its criteria depend entirely on Instagram. Simplified only displays the option so you can configure it.
How to publish a Trial Reel from Simplified
Publishing a Trial Reel can be done in a few steps:
Open your calendar section from the menu bar on the left.
In the upper right corner, click on the + New Post button.
The creating post box will be displayed.
Select Instagram as your social network.
Choose Reel as the content type.
Upload your video and add your caption.
In the Trial Reel dropdown, select your preferred option:
Disabled - Normal Reel (default)
Enabled - Manual Share
Enabled - Auto Share
If you selected Manual Share or Auto Share, make sure to check Share To Feed option.
Add any additional settings like hashtags, location, or music.
Select the date and time to schedule your post, or publish immediately.
How to check if your account can publish Trial Reels
You can check whether your account has access by verifying:
If your account has more than 1,000 followers.
If Instagram has enabled this feature on your profile (it may take time even if you meet the requirements).
Remember: The Trial Reel option will always appear in Simplified, but it will only work if Instagram has enabled access for your account.
If you get an error when publishing, it means Instagram hasn't activated this feature for your account yet.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I see the Trial Reels option in Simplified if Instagram won't let me publish them?
Because the option always appears in Simplified, but it will only work if Instagram has enabled the feature for your account. If it's not active, publishing will fail.
Who sees a Trial Reel during the testing period?
Users who don't follow your account (non-followers). Instagram analyzes early performance without showing it to your regular audience.
Do users know they're watching a Trial Reel?
No. They'll see it as a regular Reel and won't know it's in a testing phase.
Where can I see my Trial Reels on Instagram?
They're visible only to you on your profile, in the drafts section. They don't appear publicly on your feed while they're in testing.
Can a Trial Reel appear elsewhere on Instagram even if it's not on my profile?
Yes. Instagram states it may appear in other places, such as:
Audio, filter, or location pages used in the Reel
Or if someone shares it via DM
Can I add collaborators (Collabs) to a Trial Reel?
No. Instagram doesn't allow collaborators for this format.
What happens after the 72-hour testing period?
If you selected the Auto Share option and performance meets Instagram's internal criteria, the Reel will be published automatically on your feed.
If you chose the Manual Share option, you'll be able to decide whether to publish it or not directly from Instagram.
Can I switch from manual to automatic after scheduling the Trial Reel?
No. Instagram doesn't allow you to change the publishing mode once the Trial Reel has been created.
Why do I get an error when publishing even if I meet the follower requirement?
Because Instagram hasn't enabled the feature for your account yet, even if you have more than 1,000 followers.