Instagram Expands Trial Reels to Public Creators Over 1,000 Followers

Instagram has expanded the Trial Reels feature to all creators with public accounts and at least 1,000 followers, allowing them to test how their video content performs with non-followers before wider publication. Trial Reels are shown only to users who do not follow the creator, providing an unbiased assessment of content appeal without influence from existing audiences, and they do not appear in followers' feeds or the creator's profile unless made public. The feature supports experimentation by enabling creators to try new formats or styles without risking alienation of their current followers, while also serving as a growth tool by exposing content to a broader audience. After posting, creators can access engagement metrics within 24 hours to help refine their strategies. Additionally, creators can repurpose older Reels as Trial Reels to maximize exposure, a practice Instagram appears to support. The feature currently remains free and Instagram may adjust its reach capabilities in the future.