Case: a custom cover frame raised Reel reach 23%

Case: a custom cover frame raised Reel reach 23%
A design account (47k) added text-on-cover to 25 Reels vs 25 with auto-grabbed frames. Randomized.
— Auto cover: median reach 5,900, profile feed saves 1.4%
— Custom cover: 7,260 (+23%), saves 2.6%
— Effect concentrated in returning viewers browsing the grid
The cover acted as a second hook for grid-driven and search-driven discovery.
So what: the cover frame is the only 'thumbnail' you control — for searchable, evergreen Reels it compounds long after the feed push ends. (n=50 Reels, 50-day window)