Case Study: How Simplicity Outperformed Design on Instagram Reels
By Bond Cavazos | BOND Branding
At BOND Branding, a marketing and branding agency in Chicagoland, we continuously test and refine strategies to help our clients achieve real, measurable growth on social media.
For this in-house case study, we conducted an A/B test on an Instagram Reel highlighting holiday window displays at local retail stores in Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, and Geneva, IL — showcasing our expertise in local business marketing and social media strategy.
“The Test”
We posted two versions of the same Reel:
One with a highly designed, branded thumbnail
One with a simple, organic thumbnail featuring the window display with minimal text
“The Results”
The simple, organic version (on the above right) received nearly double the views compared to the highly designed version.
“What This Reveals”
Instagram’s algorithm favors content that feels authentic and native to the platform. Over-designed thumbnails can appear more like ads, while organic visuals encourage users to stop scrolling, engage, and watch longer — which boosts reach.
This test reinforces why strategic content creation matters more than just beautiful design.
“Why This Matters”
At BOND Branding, we apply these insights to:
Optimize social media campaigns for maximum reach
Create high-performing Instagram Reels and content strategies
Support businesses with data-driven digital marketing
Deliver branding that is not only beautiful, but effective
We also strategically repost and reformat content to extend its lifecycle — ensuring high-quality content reaches the widest possible audience.
“The Takeaway”
Great marketing isn’t just about how content looks — it’s about how it performs.
BOND Branding combines creative branding with proven digital marketing strategies to help Chicagoland businesses grow, connect, and stand out.
👉 Want to see the Reels from this case study?
View them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bondbrandingagency