Content Testing on Instagram: Using the New 'Share to Non-Followers' Reel Feature (2025)

Explore Instagram's new Trial Reels feature, allowing creators to test content with non-followers for better engagement and audience insights.

Tips & Tricks

•April 14, 2025•4 min read • Finish by

Instagram's new 'Share to Non-Followers' Reel feature, also known as Trial Reels, lets creators test content with non-followers before sharing it with their audience. This tool provides a safe way to experiment with new ideas while keeping current followers unaffected. Here's what you need to know:

What It Does: Trial Reels are shown only to non-followers, with engagement metrics (views, likes, comments, shares) available after 24 hours.
Key Benefits:
- Test content without risking engagement with your followers.
- Get actionable insights to decide if the content should go public.
- Option to auto-publish based on performance.
How It Works:
1. Create and mark your Reel as a trial in Instagram's sharing settings.
2. Review performance data after 24 hours.
3. Decide to share manually or set up auto-publishing.

This feature helps you experiment with formats, themes, and styles, refine your strategy with data, and reach new audiences confidently.

Using the Feature: Step-by-Step Guide

Setting Up Your First Trial Reel

Create and edit your Reel directly in Instagram.
Find the "Trial" option in the sharing settings and turn it on.
Ensure your Reel is marked as a trial before sharing it with your followers.

Once this is done, you'll have a 24-hour window to gather performance data.

Reading Performance Data

After 24 hours, Instagram provides key metrics to help you evaluate audience engagement:

Views: Total number of times your Reel was watched.
Likes: How many users interacted with your content directly.
Comments: Feedback from viewers.
Shares: How often your Reel was shared, indicating its potential reach.

Instagram also compares these figures to your past trial performances. This data helps you make informed decisions about your content.

Making the Publish Decision

Once you've reviewed the metrics, decide how to proceed:

If the Reel's engagement aligns with your goals, you can either publish it manually or enable automatic sharing based on a set view threshold.

"If you feel good about a trial reel and how it's performing, you can then choose to share it with your followers with one tap or decide to set it up so that it's shared automatically." – Instagram for Creators

When analyzing the data, focus on engagement levels, the quality of comments, and the ratio of shares to views to decide if the Reel should be shared with a broader audience.

Testing Content with Non-Followers

Trying Out New Content Ideas

Trial Reels provide a safe way to test out different content formats and explore new ideas. They allow you to experiment without committing to a full-scale rollout.

Here are a few things you can test:

Try out different genres or themes
Play around with various storytelling techniques
Cover a range of topics to see what resonates

Once you've tested these elements, take a closer look at how Instagram's algorithm interacts with your new content formats.

Evaluating Algorithm Behavior

Trial Reels also offer valuable insights into how Instagram's algorithm shares your content with people who don’t already follow you. This information can shape your overall content strategy.

Key metrics to watch:

How views trend in the first 24 hours
The rate at which viewers engage with your content
What triggers wider distribution by the algorithm

These insights can help you understand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to reaching new audiences.

Expanding Your Follower Base

By analyzing the performance of your Trial Reels, you can figure out what kind of content turns casual viewers into loyal followers. Use the data and algorithm insights to fine-tune your approach.

Focus on these steps:

Keep track of engagement metrics like likes, shares, and comments
Collect and review viewer feedback to adjust your strategy
Measure how often viewers convert into followers

This method helps you create content that not only reaches more people but also builds a stronger, more connected follower base.

New Instagram Feature: Trial Reels (everything you need to ...

Tips to Improve Trial Reel Results

Refining your testing process can significantly enhance the performance of your Trial Reels. Here’s how you can fine-tune your approach.

Using Current Trends

Leverage trending topics to give your Trial Reels a boost. Instagram's Professional Dashboard offers a "Tips and Resources" section to help you track trending audio and hashtags. Using trending audio can increase engagement. For example:

"Quick Change" by Crystobolremu: Perfect for fast-paced transition videos.
"Murder On The Dancefloor" by Sophie Ellis Bextor: Great for capturing cultural moments.
"When I Feel Better I am Nicer": Ideal for relatable, everyday content.

Content Elements to Test

Experimenting with different content elements can help you find what resonates most with your audience. Here are some key areas to focus on:

Element	What to Test	Why It Matters
Format	Try various storytelling structures and transitions.	Affects how long viewers stay engaged.
Genre	Explore content types like educational, entertaining, or behind-the-scenes.	Helps pinpoint your most effective style.
Timing	Test different posting times and video lengths.	Can boost initial engagement.
Style	Experiment with visual elements like effects and text overlays.	Strengthens the connection with viewers.

Trial Reels are a low-risk way to test these elements. Tools like automated direct messages to active commenters can also help increase interaction.

Key Performance Metrics

Track your metrics closely during the 72-hour trial window to refine your strategy. With Reels seeing a growth rate of 282%, monitoring engagement trends can reveal patterns in what works and what doesn’t. Use these insights to adjust your content and keep improving results.

Conclusion

Main Takeaways

The 'Share to Non-Followers' feature allows creators to test Reels with new audiences before making them fully public. It offers insights by tracking engagement metrics like views, likes, and comments.

Here are some key advantages of using Trial Reels:

Advantage	What It Does
Risk-Free Testing	Try out new content formats without affecting your current followers.
Data-Driven Choices	Use audience feedback to guide your decisions.
Expand Your Reach	Attract and engage new viewers.
Improve Content	Adjust your strategy based on feedback from non-followers.

"Reel Trials open up a world of opportunities for creators and brands alike, offering a unique way to test, learn, and expand your reach." - Inro.social

These insights can help you refine your content strategy and grow your audience.

Next Steps

To get the most out of Trial Reels:

Keep an Eye on Metrics: During the 72-hour trial, monitor engagement data closely. Use this early feedback to tweak your content and plan future tests.
Engage with Viewers: Set up automated direct messages for people who comment. This can help turn curious viewers into loyal followers.
Fine-Tune Your Approach: Use what you learn from Trial Reels to adjust your content strategy. For Reels that perform well, enable auto-share to maximize their reach.