Instagram trial Reels — how to post a video to non-followers first
How to publish a trial Reel from Craft so that only people who don't follow you see it first, and share it with followers manually or automatically.
A trial Reel is shown first only to people who don't follow you. Your followers won't see it until you share it with everyone. This lets you test a hook, a cover or a new topic on a new audience without hurting reach with your own.
How to post a trial Reel#
- Open Publishing → New post and choose Reels mode.
- Upload the video and select your Instagram account.
- In the Per network step, open Instagram and turn on Trial Reel.
- Choose who shares the video with your followers: - I'll share it myself — the Reel stays a trial until you tap the button in the Reel itself in the Instagram app; - Instagram decides — Instagram shares it with followers if it performs well with others.
- Publish now or schedule it, like any other post.
⚠️ Trial Reels aren't available to every account. It's an Instagram feature: you need a public professional account (business or creator) with at least 200 followers that can appear in recommendations. If you don't have it, we can't use it. Craft checks the follower count and warns you; Instagram doesn't share the rest in advance: if Instagram declines the trial Reel, the post won't go out and the publishing feed shows why. Turn off Trial Reel and publish again.
🔴 We never post a regular Reel instead of a trial. If you asked to show the video only to new people and Instagram refused, we won't share it with everyone without asking.
How to share it with everyone#
Open the Reel in the Instagram app — a trial Reel has a button to show it to your followers. You can't do this from Craft: Instagram only allows it in its own app.
Not available yet#
- Only Reels can be trials. Carousels and photos can't.
- The AI connector (Claude, ChatGPT) can't post trial Reels yet — only the publishing window on the website.
Frequently asked questions#
Who sees a trial Reel?#
Only people who don't follow you: in the Reels feed and in recommendations. Followers see it after you or Instagram share it.
Why didn't my trial Reel go out?#
Most likely Instagram hasn't enabled trial Reels for your account yet. The reason is in the publishing feed. Turn off Trial Reel and publish the video as a regular Reel.
Can I schedule a trial Reel?#
Yes. Pick a date and time as for a regular post: the video will go out as a trial at that moment.