---
title: "Trial reels"
description: "Instagram's test posts, run two a day on top of three feed posts to test hooks, with the winners moved to the feed."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/glossary/trial-reels/
updated: 2026-10-25
---

# Trial reels

Instagram's test posts, run two a day on top of three feed posts to test hooks, with the winners moved to the feed.

## Why does it matter?

They test hooks without risking the main feed. A bad video that gets no views does very little harm, so testing keeps the momentum going.

## How does it work?

1. Post three a day on the main feed.
2. Run two trial reels a day on top to test hooks.
3. Move the winners to the feed.

## Where has Tom used it?

With a new client, Tom films new formats based on outliers in similar niches and deploys them fast through trial reels and feed posts, keeping the winners. A weak answer to a question goes out as a trial reel instead of being held back.

## Related terms

- [Overwhelm the algorithm](https://tomsharman.com/glossary/overwhelm-the-algorithm/index.md): Volume first, refine second. Every post is a shot on goal, and 80% of the way five times a day out-learns 100% three times a week.
- [Views per follow](https://tomsharman.com/glossary/views-per-follow/index.md): Views divided by follows for each post, the metric Tom uses most. A follow is the biggest signal short of a sale.
- [Outlier](https://tomsharman.com/glossary/outlier/index.md): A post past three times the median views of the last 30. The outlier is the brief for what to make next.

## Where is it explained?

- https://tomsharman.com/playbooks/distribution/three-a-day/