If you’ve been posting Reels consistently but feel like they’re going nowhere, you’re not alone.

Maybe you’re getting 200-300 views, tops, and it’s mostly from the same small group of followers. Maybe you’ve put time and effort into making Reels that speak directly to your dream clients, but the reach just isn’t there.

It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You’re doing all the right things, posting consistently, sharing valuable insights, making content that actually helps people, but Instagram still seems to keep you in a bubble.

If this sounds familiar, there’s a feature that might help: Trial Reels.

This isn’t about testing content (you’re not here to experiment, you’re here to grow). This is about giving your Reels the best possible chance to be seen by more of the right people without needing your current followers to do all the heavy lifting.

So, let’s talk about what Trial Reels actually are, how they work, and how you, as a therapist, can use them to reach more of the people who need what you have to say.

What Are Trial Reels?

Trial Reels aren’t a special type of Reel, and they don’t require any extra effort in terms of content creation. The only difference is how Instagram distributes them.

Normally, when you post a Reel, Instagram shows it to a mix of your followers and non-followers. But with Trial Reels, Instagram prioritises showing your content to non-followers first. This means your Reel goes out to people who don’t already know you, before Instagram decides whether to push it to your audience.

If it does well with this new audience (people watch it, engage with it, and don’t just scroll past), Instagram keeps pushing it further. If it flops, it might not even reach your existing followers much at all.

In short, Trial Reels give you an automatic chance to get on the Explore page and into recommendations without needing your current audience to boost it first.

And for therapists who want to grow their reach, that’s a big deal.

Why Should You Use Trial Reels?

Right now, if you’re getting stuck at low reach and engagement, it’s probably because Instagram isn’t pushing your content to enough of the right people.

Trial Reels help by:

✅ Getting your content in front of non-followers first so you’re not just relying on your current audience to engage before it reaches more people.
✅ Bypassing the usual algorithm roadblocks so your post isn’t stuck waiting for initial traction before Instagram decides if it’s worth sharing.
✅ Helping you attract more of your dream clients because the more of the right people who see your content, the more chances you have to grow your audience.

It’s a small change that could make a big difference in getting your content out of that 200-300 view rut.

How to Use Trial Reels on Instagram

Using Trial Reels is simple. There’s no extra work involved beyond one quick setting change when you post.

Here’s what to do:

1️⃣ Create Your Reel As Normal
 Make your Reel the same way you always would. You’re not making something new just for the sake of using a Trial Reel, you’re just applying this to the content you’d be posting anyway.

2️⃣ Make Sure Your Content Is Strong
 Remember, this isn’t a hack that guarantees success. Trial Reels will push your content further, but it still needs to be good content. That means:

  • Hooking people in the first three seconds otherwise, they’ll scroll straight past.
  • Speaking directly to your ideal client their challenges, their struggles, their goals.
  • Keeping it engaging clear message, concise format, and subtitles (because most people scroll with the sound off).

3️⃣ Turn On the Trial Reel Setting
 When you get to the final screen before posting your Reel:

  • Find the toggle that says “Trial”
  • Turn it on

And that’s it. Your Reel is now a Trial Reel.

4️⃣ Post as Usual and Let Instagram Do the Work
Once your Reel is live, Instagram will automatically push it to non-followers first. You don’t need to do anything extra, the algorithm takes care of it.

If the Reel gets good engagement from new people, Instagram will keep showing it to more of them.

Will Every Trial Reel Go Viral?

No.

Let’s be clear, Trial Reels are not a magic bullet. They won’t suddenly make bad content perform well, and they won’t guarantee that every single post blows up.

What they will do is give your content a better chance to get in front of new people, but only if the content itself is worth watching.

This means:

🚫 If your content doesn’t connect with your dream clients, it won’t work.
🚫 If your hook isn’t strong, people will scroll past, and Instagram will stop pushing it.
🚫 If your message is vague or unclear, it won’t resonate.

Trial Reels won’t fix weak content. But if your Reels are already strong and just aren’t getting the reach they deserve, this could be the boost they need.

Should You Be Using Trial Reels?

If you feel stuck in low reach limbo and want to get your content in front of more of the right people, Trial Reels are worth trying.

🔹 If you’re already making Reels, it’s a no-brainer. You’re not creating extra work, just flicking on a setting.
🔹 If you’re struggling to reach non-followers, it’s worth it. This is literally designed to put your content in front of new people.
🔹 If you’re overwhelmed and don’t have time, you can skip it. It’s just an extra tool. No pressure.

It’s not essential, but if you’ve got the time to toggle one switch before posting, it could be the small shift that finally helps your content get out of the cycle of low reach and into the feeds of new potential clients.

Final Thoughts

Trial Reels won’t make or break your Instagram strategy, but they can help you push your content to more of the right people without any extra effort.

If you’re feeling stuck, if your reach has plateaued, or if you just want to give your Reels the best possible chance to be seen by new audiences, it’s worth a try.