Instagram has marked itself as one of the kings of social media, the platform that everyone is talking about, and it’s also the meeting place of celebrities.
In this article, I’ll talk about the most popular Instagram accounts as of March 2023, with follower numbers.
This is a global analysis, so it’s not only limited to the US or other countries. We’re talking about Instagram worldwide.
Here’s the chart:
| Account Name | Number of Followers |
| 615.55 million | |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 559 million |
| Lionel Messi | 439.78 million |
| Selena Gomez | 397.75 million |
| Kylie Jenner | 381.18 million |
| Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson | 368.39 million |
| Ariana Grande | 360.57 million |
| Kim Kardashian | 348.24 million |
| Beyonce | 300 million |
| Khloe Kardashian | 297.26 million |
| Justin Bieber | 281.25 million |
| Kendall Jenner | 279 million |
| Nike | 276.68 million |
| National Geographic | 265.49 million |
| Taylor Swift | 248.89 million |
| Virat Kohli | 240.09 million |
| Jenifer Lopez | 237.37 million |
| Kourtney Kardashian | 215.17 million |
| Nicki Minaj | 212.98 million |
| Neymar Jr. | 206.78 million |
This is a top 20 list of most popular accounts on Instagram, and for the last couple of years, the same individuals have been switching places constantly.
Naturally, Instagram’s account is at the top of the list with over 10% more followers than the second spot, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The second and third spots are taken by football fans’ favorite duo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Together, the two have almost 1 billion followers (around 998 million, to be more exact), with Cristiano Ronaldo being in the lead with around 120 million followers.
Then, the list is populated by famous singers, actors, various celebrities, sports brands, and so on. It’s really interesting to see what people are interested in, or who, for that matter.
If you’re like me, then you likely had no idea who had the most followers on Instagram, but if you’re an avid fan of this type of info, there you go. Now you know!
Why Are Celebrities Flocking to Instagram?
Instagram is all about stardom and fame. All the cool people are on Instagram, posting about their daily lives, vacations, luxury acquisitions, and so on.
Constant bragging, the showcasing of opulent lifestyles, and unachievable dreams for most people are the things that Instagram specializes in. And funny videos, of course.
But we’re talking about the reason why celebrities come to Instagram. Well, because it’s a very accessible platform that allows them to brag about their lifestyles while appearing as untouchable as possible.
They’re also getting paid for promoting certain products and services (some of them), so it’s a good deal, no matter what.
Moreover, many celebrities have to remain relevant in one way or another, and Instagram is a great way of strengthening their public image.
If they don’t remain in the spotlight, they’ll lose their luster, and everyone will forget about them. At least those who aren’t doing anything else to keep their public persona alive and kicking.
After all, some celebrities on Instagram aren’t on the platform to keep their barely-hanging social façade but rather to share their success with others.
Take Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, for instance. With or without Instagram, they’ll still be loved by hundreds of millions worldwide.
Do Celebrities Make Money on Instagram?
Of course, they do. What did you think, that they were on Instagram out of the kindness of their heart or that they were promoting products just because they like them?
According to Influencer Marketing Hub, here’s a list of Instagram’s top earners, the celebrities who charge the most per post.
| Celebrity | Average Price per Post |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | $2,397,000 |
| Kylie Jenner | $1,835,000 |
| Leo Messi | $1,777,000 |
| Selena Gomez | $1,735,000 |
| Dwayne Johnson | $1,713,000 |
| Kim Kardashian | $1,689,000 |
| Ariana Grande | $1,687,000 |
| Beyonce Knowles | $1,393,000 |
| Khloe Kardashian | $1,320,000 |
| Kendall Jenner | $1,290,000 |
Yep, Cristiano Ronaldo charges around $2.4 million per post on Instagram, or so the rumors go. These are only estimations based on the scarce data available online.
Considering that Ronaldo has 559 million followers on Instagram, you can imagine how profitable it is to have him promote something for you.
Imagine all the sales you’ll make since everyone knows that he doesn’t promote anything he doesn’t believe in.
We’re done here; I have nothing else to tell you. Stick around for other interesting articles about social media!
