How to Post a Trial Reel on Instagram (and What to Do If You Can't See the Option)

To post a trial reel, your Instagram account needs to be public, with at least 200 followers if it's a professional account or 1,000 if it's personal. Then you record a new reel, turn on Trial before you share, and decide whether you'll share it with followers yourself or let Instagram do it if it performs well.

That's the whole thing. Most "I can't find the trial option" questions on Reddit turn out to be eligibility questions, so we'll start there, then go through posting in the app, finding your trial afterward, sharing it, and scheduling one ahead of time. For the scheduling side, keep our trial reels help article open in another tab.

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Am I Eligible for Trial Reels?

According to Instagram Help, you need:

• A public account.

• At least 200 followers on a professional (business or creator) account, or at least 1,000 followers on a personal account.

• An account that's eligible to appear in recommendations. Instagram says, "If your public account is ineligible to appear in recommendations, you will also lose access to trial reels."

To check the last one, open Account Status in your settings. Instagram explains what affects it on its recommendation eligibility page.

Why it works: If the Trial option is missing, checking these three things first saves you an afternoon of reinstalling the app.

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How Do I Post One in the Instagram App?

1. Record or upload a new reel. Instagram says, "Make sure to create a new reel." A video you've already shared may get limited reach as a trial.

Why it works: Fresh content gives the test a fair start.

2. Tap Trial. On the final screen before sharing, turn on Trial.

Why it works: This one toggle is what sends the reel to non-followers first instead of to your followers.

3. Choose your sharing setting (optional). In Trial settings you can turn on "Share to everyone automatically," so Instagram shares the reel with your followers if it's performing well. Instagram notes this setting applies to all future trials unless you change it.

Why it works: Deciding now means you won't have to remember to come back later.

4. Tap Next, then Share. Your trial goes out to non-followers.

Why it works: That's it. The real work starts when the insights come in.

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Where Do I Find It Afterwards?

According to Instagram for Creators, your trial appears on your profile alongside any drafts you have. Your followers can't see it there. Insights arrive within 24 hours and show views, likes, comments and shares.

Why it works: Knowing it lives near your drafts stops the "did it even post?" panic.

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How Do I Share It With My Followers?

You have two routes:

• Manual: open the trial from your profile and share it to everyone when you're happy with the numbers.

• Automatic: if you turned on "Share to everyone automatically," Instagram shares it for you when it's getting a lot of views within the first 72 hours.

Once shared, the reel shows on your main grid and Reels tab, like any other reel.

Why it works: Manual gives you control over timing and your grid. Automatic saves you a step. Pick the one that fits how closely you watch your numbers.

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Can I Do This From a Scheduler?

Yes, as long as the scheduler publishes the reel for you. Here's how it works in Planoly, straight from our help article:

1. Select Create Post.

2. Choose your Instagram channel and upload one video. A trial needs one video and nothing else. Add a second photo or video, or swap the video for a photo, and the trial is turned off.

3. Check that Posting method is set to Auto-post. A reminder post is published by you, so Planoly never sends it to Instagram as a trial.

4. Open the Trial reel tool. It's in the toolbar under the caption. If you don't see it, scroll the toolbar sideways.

5. Pick Off, Manual or Auto. Off posts a normal reel. Manual means you share it with followers from Instagram when you're ready. Auto means Instagram shares it with followers if it does well in its first 72 hours.

6. Schedule the post as usual.

Why it works: You get the same trial choices as the app, on your schedule, sitting next to the rest of your content plan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see the trial reels option?

Your account may not meet Instagram's requirements: public, 200 followers for professional or 1,000 for personal, and eligible for recommendations. Check Account Status in settings.

Can I post an old video as a trial reel?

You can, but Instagram says reused content may get limited reach, and recommends creating a new reel.

How long until I see trial insights?

Instagram says insights arrive within 24 hours.

Can I schedule a trial reel?

Yes. In Planoly, upload one video, keep Auto-post on, and choose Manual or Auto in the Trial reel tool. Reminder posts can't be trials.

Will my followers see my trial reel?

Not in Feed, Reels or on your profile unless you share it. Instagram notes some people may still find it through DMs, audio pages or search engines.

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TL;DR

Check eligibility, post a fresh reel with Trial turned on, wait 24 hours for insights, then share the winners manually or let Instagram auto-share after strong early performance. Want to run trials on a schedule? Do it from a tool that auto-posts. Which reel idea are you going to trial first?