Alongside YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, Instagram defined a generation of social media users. Once a place for sharing #ThrowBackThursdays with friends, scouring travel pages for #Inspo, and exploring filters (#Nashville #Valencia), Instagram has certainly since its 2010 launch.
Despite these changes, Instagram has remained the go-to place for traditional celebrities to promote their work and curate their brand. So, perhaps it's unsurprising that celebrities, from singers to actors, dominate the platform’s most-followed list.
Today, we’re exploring the eight most popular Instagram accounts, looking at what has set these celebs apart from the rest and won them hundreds of millions of followers.
We’ve excluded Instagram from this list because, well, they have a home advantage.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Who are they? Who’s Cristiano Ronaldo? Only the most famous footballer in the world! Ronaldo hails from Portugal and is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time — winning him 635M followers on Instagram.
What do they post? On Ronaldo’s account, you can find a mix of business sponsorships, personal pictures of his family and workouts, and, of course, football content. The first person to reach 200 million followers on Instagram, Ronaldo is popular because of his athletic prowess and charisma.
What can we learn from Cristiano Ronaldo? Build an authentic brand. Letting people peek behind the curtain to learn more about your personal life is one of the best ways to develop a reputation as an authentic person — even if your luxurious lifestyle isn’t that relatable.
Lionel Messi
Who are they? Our number two spot is also taken by a footballer and Ronaldo’s rival at that. Hailing from Argentina, Lionel Messi plays for Argentina’s national team and Inter Miami and is considered by many as the greatest footballer of all time (at least, by those who don’t consider Ronaldo to be the best.)
What do they post? Messi has amassed 504M followers by posting action shots from the pitch, family snaps, and paid ads (naturally). Fans are drawn to his more low-key content, which gives a look into his family-oriented life.
What can we learn from Lionel Messi? Stay humble. Despite being incredibly wealthy, Messi manages to keep it real, and people are drawn to his grounded personality. For every post shouting out an achievement, try balancing that with a down-to-earth reflection of your real life.
Selena Gomez
Who are they? With 425M followers, American actress, singer, and businessperson Selena Gomez is the reigning queen of Instagram! Despite being just 32 years old, Gomez has been in the public eye for over 20 years, kicking off her Disney Channel career as a pre-teen.
What do they post? Gomez’s fans love her because she’s unapologetically herself; The Disney Channel darling has won a legion of fans thanks not only to her TV, film, and music career but also her use of social media to connect with fans. Gomez is incredibly active on Instagram, sharing everything from glammed-up red-carpet looks to make-up-free snaps with friends.
What can we learn from Selena Gomez? Use your platform for good. Gomez understands she has a unique connection with her fans and uses her Instagram account to advocate for causes she cares about. In the past, Gomez has discussed her personal health struggles with lupus and bipolar disorder, as well as political activism.
Kylie Jenner
Who are they? Kylie Jenner is the youngest sibling in the Kardashian-Jenner clan; a reality TV star turned business mogul, Jenner is best known for her cosmetics brand, Kylie Cosmetics.
What do they post? Where do we start? Jenner’s account showcases the perfect blend of family, luxury lifestyle, and beauty content, setting her up as a dominant force in the social media and beauty industries.
What can we learn from Kylie Jenner? Focus on building a cohesive brand that you can live and breathe. While Jenner will always be connected to her family’s TV shows, her individual success lies in her unique ability to seamlessly integrate her personal life with her business ventures on Instagram.
Dwayne Johnson
Who are they? Dwayne Johnson, perhaps better known by his WWE moniker ‘The Rock,’ got his start in professional wrestling before leaving the ring to similarly dominate the A-list Hollywood scene.
What do they post? As a wrestler-turned-actor, it’s no surprise Johnson’s Instagram is choc-a-bloc with gym videos and promotions for his newest release. But he blends this with family moments and behind-the-scenes content which let his charisma shine through!
What can we learn from Dwayne Johnson? Engage with your audience. Johnson consistently engages with his fans via comments and shoutouts, making them feel like they’re part of his journey. The key takeaway? Making your followers feel valued is crucial to building a strong community.
Ariana Grande
Who are they? Chart-topper. Scene-stealer. Pop princess. Singer and actress Ariana Grande is one of the most influential artists of the twenty-first century!
What do they post? Like many of the names on this list, Grande’s Insta feed offers a mix of glamorous photo shoots, sneak peeks into her ongoing projects, and ‘dumps’ of candid photos from her day-to-day life. She’s also well-known for using Instagram’s Stories feature to share more unfiltered moments with fans.
What can we learn from Ariana Grande? Curate your aesthetic. Grande’s aesthetic is carefully curated, allowing her to post both personal and professional content with a consistent theme that reflects her brand.
Kim Kardashian
Who are they? Despite being the second Kardashian-Jenner on this list, Kim Kardashian is arguably the most famous member of her family. She gained fame through her family’s iconic reality TV show and has since built an empire in which she sits at the helm!
What do they post? Kardashian has mastered the art of self-promotion; hers is one of the most successful personal brands ever to exist, and Instagram plays an important part in its media strategy. On Kardashian’s feed, you can find posts promoting her many businesses, snaps from photo shoots, and — of course — plenty of images of the family that made her famous.
What can we learn from Kim Kardashian? Don’t shy away from self-promotion. Kardashian is a businesswoman at heart and has learned how to leverage social media to build her brand and monetize her following.
Beyoncé
Who are they? Beyoncé is Beyoncé. One of the most influential women in the world, Queen Bey is known for her powerful voice, striking sense of style, and ability to shape pop culture to her will.
What do they post? Beyoncé’s Instagram is more highly curated than others on this list; she typically posts promotional material for her music alongside incredibly glamorous snaps from photo shoots, red carpets, and stage performances. In short, Beyoncé’s feed serves as a gallery of her best looks and most iconic moments.
What can we learn from Beyoncé? Sometimes, less is more. Beyoncé’s use of minimal captions (and sometimes no captions at all) allows audiences to focus on her artistry. While other artists like to let fans behind the scenes, Beyoncé does this sparingly, maintaining an air of mystery that keeps fans intrigued while letting her body of work speak for itself.
