Top 20 Most Followed Instagram Accounts (2026)
With over 1 billion users worldwide , Instagram continues to dominate the world of social media. Celebrities, brands, and influencers alike have increased their follower counts by tens of millions.…
On this page
With over 1 billion users worldwide, Instagram continues to dominate the world of social media. Celebrities, brands, and influencers alike have increased their follower counts by tens of millions.
In 2025, the most followed Instagram accounts belong to celebrity influencers who have a large fan base on the platform. They use their Instagram accounts to promote their work, share personal moments, and connect with their fans.
From Cristiano Ronaldo to Instagram itself, here’s a breakdown of the most followed Instagram accounts of 2025.
#1 Most followed Instagram account: @Instagram
The Instagram account with the most followers in 2025 is @instagram with 501 million followers.
It’s no real surprise that the most followed account on Instagram is owned by the company itself because if anyone should understand how to succeed on Instagram, it’s Instagram.
The @instagram account regularly features content created by IGs top talent, showcasing the innovative ways people are using the platform. The genius of @instagram reposting content from its own community is that it receives recognition from its followers, as well as the followers of the featured creators.
Their strategy has clearly paid off, as @instagram is not only the most followed account on Instagram but also one of the most popular social media platforms in the world.
#2 Most followed Instagram account: @Cristiano
The second most followed account on Instagram is @cristiano, belonging to none other than global soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. @cristiano has over 437 million followers and counting, making him the most followed person on Instagram.
What makes @cristiano so popular? Well, not only is he an incredible athlete, but he’s also a style icon and philanthropist. His versatility gives him access to fans across industries, from sports fanatics to fashion lovers.
P.S. Did you know @cristiano also holds top spots for four of the most liked Instagram posts of 2025?
Other accounts with the most followers on Instagram include Kylie Jenner (334 million), Lionel Messi (324 million), and Selena Gomez (317 million).
20 most followed Instagram accounts (2025)
Here’s a breakdown of the top 20 most followed Instagram accounts in 2025.
| Rank | Account | Owned By | Number of Followers | Date Joined | Profession/Account Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 501 Million | 2012 | Social Media Platform | ||
| 2. | @cristiano | Cristiano Ronaldo | 437 Million | 2012 | Athlete/Soccer Player |
| 3. | @kyliejenner | Kylie Jenner | 334 Million | 2011 | TV Personality/Model/Businesswoman |
| 4. | @leomessi | Lionel Messi | 324 Million | 2013 | Athlete/Soccer Player |
| 5. | @selenagomez | Selena Gomez | 317 Million | 2013 | Musician/Actress |
| 6. | @therock | Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson | 313 Million | 2012 | Actor/Wrestler |
| 7. | @arianagrande | Ariana Grande | 308 Million | 2011 | MusicianActress |
| 8. | @kimkardashian | Kim Kardashian | 307 Million | 2012 | TV Personality/Model/Businesswoman |
| 9. | @beyonce | Beyonce Knowles | 254 Million | 2012 | Musician/Actress |
| 10. | @khloekardashian | Khloé Kardashian | 240 Million | 2012 | TV Personality/Model/Businesswoman |
| 11. | @kendalljenner | Kendall Jenner | 235 Million | 2011 | TV Personality/Model/Businesswoman |
| 12. | @justinbieber | Justin Bieber | 233 Million | 2011 | Musician |
| 13. | @natgeo | National Geographic | 220 Million | 2010 | Magazine |
| 14. | @nike | Nike | 216 Million | 2011 | Sportswear Brand |
| 15. | @taylorswift | Taylor Swift | 208 Million | 2011 | Musician |
| 16. | @jlo | Jennifer Lopez | 206 Million | 2013 | Musician |
| 17. | @virat.kohli | Virat Kohli | 194 Million | 2015 | Cricket Player |
| 18. | @nickiminaj | Nicki Minaj | 187 Million | 2013 | Musician |
| 19. | @kourtneykardash | Kourtney Kardashian | 174 Million | 2012 | TV Personality/Model/Businesswoman |
| 20. | @neymarjr | Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior | 173 Million | 2012 | Soccer Player |
10 brands with the most followers on Instagram (2025)
While celebrities may dominate the charts when it comes to the most followed Instagram accounts, brands have done an impressive job of making their names known in the space.
As you saw above, some brands, including Nike and National Geographic, even made the top 20 list!
Here are the top 10 brand accounts with the most followers on Instagram.
| Rank | Account | Owned By | Number of Followers | Date Joined | Profession/Account Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | @natgeo | National Geographic | 220 Million | 2010 | Magazine |
| 2. | @nike | Nike | 216 Million | 2011 | Sportswear Brand |
| 3. | @realmadrid | Real Madrid CF | 115 Million | 2013 | Soccer Club |
| 4. | @fcbarcelona | FC Barcelona | 108 Million | 2012 | Soccer Club |
| 5. | @nasa | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) | 75.9 Million | 2013 | Space Agency |
| 6. | @victoriassecret | Victoria’s Secret | 72.3 Million | 2011 | Lingerie/Clothing Company |
| 7. | @hudabeauty | Huda Beauty | 50.2 Million | 2012 | Makeup Brand/Blogger |
| 8. | @chanelofficial | Chanel | 50.1 Million | 2013 | Fashion Company |
| 9 | @zara | Zara | 50.1 Million | 2013 | Fashion Company |
| 10. | @gucci | Gucci | 48.1 Million | 2011 | Fashion Company |
What types of Instagram accounts get the most followers?
The most followed Instagram accounts are often celebrities, as they have a large pre-existing fan base. However, there are plenty of non-celebrity accounts with tens of millions of followers.
Some of the most popular types of Instagram accounts include:
- Accounts that post funny content
- Accounts that post relatable content
- Accounts that post aspirational content
- Accounts that post behind-the-scenes content
Other important tactics for performing well on Instagram include making use of platform-specific features like Reels, carousels, and Live, and posting content at optimal times.
How to get more followers on Instagram
First off, shy of being a well-known celebrity, the types of accounts that gain the most followers are those with a niche focus. This includes anything from fashion and beauty, to travel or food. If you can tap into a specific interest and become an authoritative voice within that space, you’ll be more likely to attract Instagram followers.
Another important factor is the quality of your content. This should go without saying, but in order for people to want to follow you, they need to enjoy the content you’re putting out. This means posting high-quality photos or videos that are interesting and visually appealing. If your images are blurry or poorly lit, potential followers will scroll right past.
Hashtags are also important if you want to increase your reach and get more followers. When people search for specific hashtags, your content comes up in search results, exposing you to a whole new group of potential followers. Just be sure to use relevant, popular hashtags that are specific to your niche.
Finally, one of the best ways to get more followers on Instagram is to simply follow other users yourself. Most people will reciprocate and follow you back, giving you a nice boost in numbers. Just be sure to follow accounts that are relevant to your interests so that your feed remains interesting to you.
Written by
Jessica Miller
Jessica is a consultant, researcher, and the editor-in-chief of the Buzzoid blog, who specializes in social media, marketing, and digital strategy. She is a graduate of Antioch College and earned her MBA at Boston College’s Carroll Graduate School of Management, specializing in STEM Management.
