Trial Reels: Growth Hack or Waste of Time
Soft launch your social strategy
Remember when you had to post content and just hope your followers vibed with it? Those anxiety-inducing moments of "will this flop?" are getting a makeover thanks to Instagram's newest feature.
But First, What Are Trial Reels?
Trial Reels are Instagram's latest attempt to keep creators from spiraling into posting paralysis. The feature lets you test your content with non-followers before committing to sharing it with your actual audience.
Here's the deal: you create a Reel, select the Trial Reel option, and Instagram shows it to random users who don't follow you. You get the analytics, the feedback, the whole shebang—without risking your carefully curated feed or potentially tanking your engagement rate.
Sounds promising, right? But is it actually worth your time? Let's break it down.
How To Use A Trial Reel On Instagram
To share your trial reel on Instagram:
Film and edit your Reel
Proceed to the area where you can write your caption.
After writing your caption but before hitting Share, toggle the switch that says “Trial”.
Tap Share.
TLDR; Should I Use Trial Reels?
Trial Reels = Instagram's content testing playground. Think soft launch for your boldest ideas without the anxiety. You get real data from real people who aren't your followers. Is it worth it? For experimentation and insights, yes. For overnight virality, don't count on it. It's a tool, not a miracle—but potentially a pretty useful one.
3 Pros Of Trial Reels 👀
#1. Low-Risk Experimentation
Trial Reels give brands something we've all been begging for—a sandbox to play in. You can test that bold new content direction, try out a trendy sound, or experiment with a controversial take without immediate judgment from your loyal followers.
Based on online discussions, many creators are enthusiastic about this feature, with some even thinking it’s the best new Instagram feature available right now.
#2. Algorithm Insights
Instagram's algorithm remains as mysterious as why we all had side parts in 2015, but Trial Reels offer a glimpse into what works. By seeing how non-followers interact with your content, you get unbiased feedback on what might perform well with cold audiences.
The success stories from social media marketers can be jaw-dropping too. Some creators report gaining thousands of new followers from a single trial reel that received hundreds of thousands of views.
#3. Confidence Builder
For smaller brands or those just starting out on social, putting content into the world can feel like sending your kid to their first day of school—terrifying and full of what-ifs. Trial Reels offer a solution by creating a low-stakes environment where you can experiment freely before committing to content that represents your brand publicly.
3 Cons Of Trial Reels 🥲
#1. Different Audiences, Different Vibes
Your existing followers chose to follow you for a reason. They likely already connect with your brand voice, aesthetic, or offerings. Random users might have completely different preferences—what works for them might not work for your actual audience.
Not everyone's jumping on the hype train. More realistic voices in marketing forums point out that most small accounts probably won't see major gains in followers, tempering expectations about overnight success.
#2. Time Suck Potential
Creating social content already requires significant resources. Adding another testing layer means more time analyzing, tweaking, and strategizing. For busy SMMs, this could mean stretching already thin resources even further.
#3. The Growth Hack Question
Let's address the elephant in the room—many are touting Trial Reels as the next big "growth hack." But is it?
While some users report gaining followers through their Trial Reels, others haven't seen meaningful account growth. When it comes to strategy, the consensus among social media pros keeps it refreshingly simple: create multiple trial reels and see what sticks. This experimental approach seems to be the most common recommendation.
So, What's The Verdict?
Trial Reels aren't a magic bullet—surprise! (Nothing in social media ever is.) But they are a valuable tool in your social media toolkit, especially if used strategically.
For our clients, we see Trial Reels as most valuable for:
Testing new content directions before fully pivoting
Experimenting with trending formats without risking your feed aesthetic
Gaining insight into what might perform well with cold audiences for future ad targeting
Building confidence in your content strategy with data-backed decisions
The key is integrating Trial Reels into your existing strategy—not making them your entire strategy. Use them to inform your content, not dictate it entirely.
How To Use Trial Reels Effectively
Test content that's slightly outside your comfort zone
Compare Trial Reel performance with your regular content performance
Look for patterns in what resonates with non-followers versus followers
Use insights to refine your strategy, not overhaul it completely
Remember that building meaningful community still trumps going viral
Case: Closed
Trial Reels aren't just another flashy feature—they're a legitimately useful tool for brands who want to make data-informed content decisions. When used intentionally, they can help refine your social strategy and potentially reach new audiences.
Are they the ultimate growth hack? Probably not. Are they a complete waste of time? Definitely not.
Like most things in social media, the value of Trial Reels depends entirely on how you use them. And that's where having a strategic partner like Scott Social comes in—we love testing features like this so you don't have to wonder what's worth your time.
Ready to level up your social strategy beyond just testing features? Let's get your brand's social presence working as hard as you do.
Book a discovery call with Scott Social, and let's chat about creating content that converts—no trial run needed.
Need Help With Your Reels? Read More ↓
WRITTEN BY:
Halie Engler
Social Media Strategist + Copywriter
