How to post a trial reel on Instagram

Posting a trial reel takes the same steps as posting a reel, plus one toggle. This page walks through it, explains what happens next, and covers the case where the toggle is not there.

Step by step

1. Create a reel as usual. Instagram's announcement says you access trial reels through the usual posting flow.
2. Before sharing, tap the toggle to turn on "Trial". That is Instagram's wording from its December 10, 2024 post. Menu labels can change, so follow what your app shows.
3. Choose how it reaches your followers. You can share it yourself later, or have Instagram share it automatically if it performs well. You can change this setting at any time.
4. Share it. From then on, your followers will not see it in their Feed or in the Reels tab, and it will not show on your grid unless you later share it with everyone.
5. Check results after about 24 hours. Instagram says that is when you can see views, likes, comments and shares, and how the trial compares with your previous trials.

What non-followers see, and who else might

Trial reels are shown to non-followers first. Instagram notes that some followers may still see one in other places, for example if someone sends it to them in a direct message, or on a page that shows reels with the same audio, location or filter. So treat a trial as "mostly hidden from followers", not "invisible".

Sharing it with everyone

If a trial is doing well, you can choose "share with everyone". Once you do, the reel lives on your profile grid and can be distributed to followers across Instagram. If you prefer, you can set it to be shared automatically instead; our guide to auto-share vs manual covers when to use which.

Who can use trial reels

Instagram sets a follower minimum that has changed over time (third-party guides reported 1,000 in 2025 and 200 for professional accounts in late 2026); the Trial reel toggle in your own app is the only reliable check. Planoly's help page also says the account needs to be public. Instagram's own help article for trial reels did not load in the tools we used, so we could not read it in full. For the up-to-date rule, see our requirements page.

If you do not see the Trial toggle

1. Update the Instagram app.
2. Check that the account is public, and switch to a professional account if you are on a personal one. Third-party guides report different follower minimums for each.
3. Start a brand new reel and look again. Planoly's guide recommends creating a new reel.
4. Wait a few days, then check again. Instagram said the feature would roll out to eligible creators over weeks.

More detail: trial reels not showing up.

Posting from a scheduling tool

Instagram added in-app scheduling for trial reels in 2026, and several tools support the Trial option. Planoly notes that the option only shows on a single video with Auto-post on, and that Instagram decides eligibility when the reel publishes. See how to schedule trial reels.

Deleting a trial reel

You can delete a trial reel from the reel's menu, as you would a normal one. We could not verify the exact menu wording in Instagram's help article, so use the three-dot menu in your own app. If you used a tool, you can usually turn a scheduled trial off before it posts. In Planoly's tool you open the Trial reel option again and pick Off.

What to post

A trial reel should be a real new edit. Instagram's help text, as quoted by Planoly, says a trial may get limited reach if Instagram detects you previously shared the same content, and tells you to make a new reel. Start with a video you already have and give it a different opening or segment. If you want help making the versions, TrialReel does that. Today: new edits of your videos every day, ready to download. Auto-posting to Instagram is open to invited testers while Meta finishes reviewing our app.

A short checklist

• New edit, not a repeat.
• The Trial toggle is on before you share.
• You chose manual or auto share on purpose.
• You will look at results after about 24 hours, not in 10 minutes.