Most-followed on Instagram in 2024: The top 10
Want to know who the most-followed user on Instagram is? Check out our list for all the details.
Whether you’re a solo creator or part of a larger brand, we’re sure you’d like to expand your reach on Instagram. So, why not aim for the stars? Keep reading for the top 10 most-followed accounts on Instagram,* and see what you can learn from them.
What are the most-followed Instagram accounts in 2024?
Who has the most followers on Instagram right now? Well, it’s, uh, Instagram. Here’s a breakdown of the entire top 10:
- 1. Instagram – United States– 684 million followers
- 2. Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal – 646 million followers
- 3. Lionel Messi – Argentina – 504 million followers
- 4. Selena Gomez – United States – 423 million followers
- 5. Kylie Jenner – United States – 395 million followers
- 6. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson – United States – 394 million followers
- 7. Ariana Grande – United States – 376 million followers
- 8. Kim Kardashian – United States – 358 million followers
- 9. Beyoncé – United States – 313 million followers
- 10. Khloé Kardashian – United States – 305 million followers
1. Instagram
The social media giant boasts millions more followers than anyone else mentioned here, and is the only brand on the list. But why?
It helps that the official Instagram account has been active since early 2012, around a year after the platform launched. At the time, Insta had more than 10 million monthly active users — that might not sound like much compared with today’s 2 billion, but the competition was smaller. If you were on the ‘gram back in the day, chances are you followed this account.
But that can’t sustain growth for more than a decade. The official Instagram account thrives on a blend of content covering platform-based updates, up-and-coming creators, topical posts, celebrity- and influencer-endorsed posts, and good old-fashioned memes. Instagram is the most-followed Instagram account? Makes sense.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
While he’s not the most-followed account, Cristiano Ronaldo is comfortably the most-followed user on Instagram. The Portuguese footballer publishes a regular smattering of personal content, sponsored posts, and training footage.
It doesn’t hurt when he collabs with some of the internet’s biggest names, either — in late 2024, he dropped a video with the world’s most-subscribed YouTuber, MrBeast. Ronaldo’s not reinvented the wheel, but he didn’t need to. He plays the most popular sport in the world, and he’s pretty much the best at it.
3. Lionel Messi
The second-most-followed person on Instagram is another footballer. Lionel Messi is one of the GOATs, and similar to Ronaldo, his account’s peppered with sponsored content, training footage, and the occasional personal post here and there. The star usually writes captions in his native Spanish, but includes English-language translations to boost inclusion.
4. Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez is more than whatever you think she is. Whether you know her for her music, acting, cosmetics brand, mental health advocacy, or other charity work, she covers all bases.
Her Instagram reflects that. One day, you might see a glossy magazine shoot, stills from a roundtable interview, or a carousel of her latest press trip. The next day, it could be a behind-the-scenes clip from her makeup business, Rare Beauty, or candid snapshots with her family.
5. Kylie Jenner
Similar to Gomez, Kylie Jenner can be classed as many things: socialite, influencer, businesswoman. Unlike Gomez, Jenner’s popularity often stems from controversy, rather than her work. That comes as no surprise for a member of the Kardashian-Jenner family, but her account is popular for a reason — she sells a lifestyle.
Jenner’s sponsored posts and branded content usually arrive in the form of a selfie or photoshoot carousel, urging followers to check out the latest drop. It’s a great strategy, keeping her business, family, and personal brand in the spotlight.
6. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
People love Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Even though he played the heel during his time as a wrestler, audiences couldn’t get enough of this charismatic, quippy bad guy. That charm has carried his Hollywood career, delighting viewers with a well-placed one-liner or a raise of the eyebrow.
The Rock’s Insta feed does numbers because it’s so clearly him behind it. He writes honestly about box office figures, workouts, award ceremonies, and more. You don’t have to scroll long before you see him mingling with fans — he puts the time in with the people who matter, which just makes them love him more.
7. Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande’s popularity can’t be overstated. She’s a pop star, sure — she also took the world by storm with Wicked, does mountains of charity work, and founded her own makeup line, R.E.M. Beauty.
She posts the usual mixture of business and pleasure, but when Grande’s promoting a new project, you can’t move for it. Check out her feed during the Wicked press cycle — if you find anything other than pink dresses and green witches, you’ve got better eyes than us.
8. Kim Kardashian
You thought Kylie Jenner was controversial? Take a seat. Everyone knows who Kim Kardashian is, and everyone has an opinion. She’s the definition of ‘influencer,’ however you choose to use that term. But the way she wields that influence is what makes her one of the world’s most-followed people on Instagram. Just look at what she’s done for awareness of the Armenian genocide and US criminal justice reform.
Like Jenner, Kardashian’s feed offers aspiration. It doesn’t matter if she’s posting creepy Halloween outfits, adverts for her Beats collab, or driving sales for her shapewear brand, Skims — she’s got your attention, regardless of your opinion. The fact that she’s sustained this popularity throughout and beyond The Kardashians’ TV run is testament to Kim K’s staying power.
9. Beyoncé
OK, there’s a noticeable trend running through this list: pretty much everyone has more than one hustle. Beyoncé is obviously a music icon in her own right, and that’s before you even consider her philanthropy, business ventures, and filmmaking.
Beyoncé revolutionized the music industry, and people want to know how she does things — what makes her tick? You’re unlikely to find the secret sauce on her Instagram, but a carefully curated grab-bag of self-portraits, professional shoots, promo materials, and candids is more than enough.
10. Khloé Kardashian
Khloé Kardashian draws our most-followed on Instagram list to a close, and she’s no slouch. The media personality’s business ventures, family snaps, and more drive home that larger-than-life quality shared with the rest of her family.
What do all of these accounts have in common? Instagram itself aside, they’re all massive celebrities — people you could pick from a police lineup without a moment’s hesitation. It’s a far cry from the most-subscribed and -viewed YouTube channels, which range from national broadcasters and wrestling companies to Swedish gaming influencers and kids’ content.
But that’s fine. Even if you or your brand never hit Beyoncé numbers, you can still be wildly successful. Check out our article on how to get your first 1,000 Instagram followers, learn how to monetize the platform, and create content that lasts.
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* Data and rankings updated December 30, 2024