Instagram has come a long way since it launched back in 2010. It is one of the most widely used social media platforms with over 2 billion users worldwide. The app is a way to keep in touch with old friends, a place to start new flings, a portfolio for creatives of all kinds to showcase their works, as well as a battleground for social justice.
Today, we bring you the 10 most followed persons on Instagram. This is excluding the accounts of brands/companies as they do not count as “Person”.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (596m followers)
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most celebrated footballers of all time, is the most followed person on Instagram, with a whopping 596 million followers. He is also the second most followed account on Instagram, next to the brand account of Instagram itself, which has 648 million followers. He is the only human to break 500 million followers on Instagram.
Ronaldo started his career at 17, and since then, has played important roles in many crucial matches for his teams. He is signed with Al Nassr FC.
The footballer posts a few personal photos and a few commercial posts on his Instagram handle. Instagram is one his main sources of income, and he charges a huge sum to publish a post related to any brand.
2. Lionel Messi (478m followers)
Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s rival on the pitch, turns out be Ronaldo’s rival on Instagram as well. The Argentine footballer has proven himself quite adept at social media as well, chasing Cristiano Ronaldo now for the #2 spot. Both parties have a fair share of wins and loses in their career.
Messi has played for a few teams in his long career, inncluding Newell’s Old Boys, Barcelona, and Paris St Germain (PSG). he currently plays for Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer club. Just like Ronaldo, Messi charges a huge amount for brand endorsement on Instagram and sometimes he uses the platform to share a few personal posts.
3. Selena Gomez (426m followers)
American actress and musician Selena Gomez has a mass following on Instagram with over 426 million followers. She isn’t only famous on Instagram, she’s one of the most famous people in the world.
In her initial days, she featured in a few TV shows, such as Barney & Friends, and then made her music debut with “Selena Gomez & The Scene” in 2009. Her debut single has over 363 million views on YouTube.
Her account is the usual pop star fare of selfies, herself at events, and pictures of her friends, but it also includes a few political posts around subjects like women rights.
4. Kylie Jenner (397m followers)
Social media personality, businesswoman and half sister of Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner once held the top spot for most liked Instagram post, and she’s still in the Top 20. Her account focuses on her work, brand promotion and, not to forget, she has a brand called Kylie Cosmetics which she started in 2015 by partnering with Seed Beauty. She also owns brands such as Kylie Skin, Kylie Swim and Kylie Baby.
5. Dwayne Johnson (387m followers)
The number five spot goes to Hollywood movie star, tequila mogul, and former WWE Champ, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. After retiring from WWE, The Rock switched his career to acting and has acted with his on screen partner Kevin Hart multiple times and delivered multiple box office hits such as Jumanji, and Fast and Furious movie series as “Luke Hobbs”. Dwayne posts mostly his personal life, lots of shots from filming, pictures of him in the gym, his family, and occasionally does a few brand endorsements.
6. Ariana Grande (377m followers)
With over 377 million followers, popular American singer, songwriter and actress Ariana Grande is the sixth most followed person on Instagram. Grande started her career with “Put Your Heart Up” released in late 2011 and since then has had over 50 singles to her name.
Apart from singing, she has starred in a some TV shows such as “Victorious”, “Sam and Cat”, and films like “Zoolander 2” and “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special”.
Her feed is full of pictures of her performing, meeting other celebrities, and your general depiction of living the life of a pop star.
7. Kim Kardashian (362m followers)
Kim Kardashian is our number seven most followed on Instagram. The celebrity, who has faced so many controversies because of her actions, is very active on her page, where she posts brand endorsements, photoshoot content, pictures of her attending events, personal posts and family old pictures.
8. Beyonce (314m followers)
American singer and businesswoman Beyonce is at the number 8 spot of most followed persons on Instagram with 314 million followers. Along with ranking high on the list, her pregnancy announcement was once the most liked posts on Instagram.
The surprising fact about this music star who is loved all over the world for her unique style is that she doesn’t follow anyone on Instagram. Her Instagram page itself is dominated by shots from her performance and professional work, with a few more personal posts.
9. Khloe Kardashian (310 Million Followers).
Media personality and model Khloe Kardashian has a massive 310 million followers on Instagram. She has over 4,278 posts on her Instagram profile and uses the platform to share personal photos and commercial posts.
Khloe has featured in some TV shows such as “Keeping Up With The Kardashians”, “The Kardashians”, and “Khloe & Lamar”, hosted by her or her family members. She owns a fashion brand called “GOOD AMERICAN” which she co-founded with Emma Grede.
10. Justin Bieber (293m followers)
It is not surprising that Justin Bieber, one of the biggest pop stars in the world, made the list with over 293 million followers.
Bieber rose to fame with his single “One Time” released in 2009. After some initial success, he received global recognition when he got 3.6 billion views on YouTube for “Sorry”, 2.9 billion views for “Baby”, and a few more. He has over 7,410 posts on his Instagram handle, most related to his personal life and only few are commercial.
