Most-followed on Instagram in 2026: The top 10
Learn which Instagram account has the most followers.
What are the most-followed Instagram accounts in 2026?
The official Instagram account is currently the most-followed Instagram account. Here’s a breakdown* of the entire top 10.
| Account | Country | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Instagram | United States | 686 million |
| 2. Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 679 million |
| 3. Leo Messi | Argentina | 517 million |
| 4. Selena Gomez | United States | 403 million |
| 5. Dwayne âThe Rockâ Johnson | United States | 381 million |
| 6. Kylie Jenner | United States | 381 million |
| 7. Ariana Grande | United States | 362 million |
| 8. Kim Kardashian | United States | 344 million |
| 9. Beyoncé | United States | 299 million |
| 10. Khloé Kardashian | United States | 291 million |
1. Instagram â 686 million followers
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 3 billion, but the competition was smaller. If you were on the platform 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? It makes sense.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo â 679 million followers
While he’s not the most-followed account, Cristiano Ronaldo is comfortably the most-followed user on Instagram. He’s also the most-followed person on social media. 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.
3. Leo Messi â 517 million followers
The second most-followed person on Instagram is another footballer. Leo 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.
4. Selena Gomez â 403 million followers
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. Dwayne âThe Rockâ Johnson â 381 million followers
People love Dwayne âThe Rockâ Johnson. Even though he made his name beating people to a pulp, audiences couldn’t get enough of his charismatic, quippy energy. 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.
6. Kylie Jenner â 381 million followers
Similar to Gomez, Kylie Jenner can be classed as many things: socialite, influencer, businesswoman. Unlike Gomez, Jenner’s popularity often stems from controversy. 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.
Jennerâs sponsored posts and branded content usually arrive in the form of a selfie or photoshoot carousel, urging followers to check out the latest drop. Itâs a great strategy, keeping her business, family, and personal brand in the spotlight.
7. Ariana Grande â 362 million followers
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 Grandeâs promoting a new project, you canât move for it. Check out her feed during the Wicked press cycles â if you find anything other than pink dresses and green witches, youâve got better eyes than us.
8. Kim Kardashian â 344 million followers
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 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, Kardashianâs feed offers aspiration. It doesnât matter if sheâs posting creepy Halloween outfits, advertising her Beats collab, or driving sales for her shapewear brand, Skims â sheâs got your attention, regardless of your opinion. The fact that sheâs sustained this popularity throughout and beyond The Kardashiansâ TV run is testament to Kim Kâs staying power.
9. BeyoncĂ© â 299 million followers
There’s a noticeable trend running through this list: pretty much everyone has more than one hustle. Beyoncé is a music icon in her own right, and that’s before you even consider her philanthropy, business ventures, and filmmaking.
BeyoncĂ© revolutionized the music industry, and people want to know how she does things â what makes her tick? Youâre 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. KhloĂ© Kardashian â 291 million followers
Khloé Kardashian draws the 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 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 and create content that lasts.
One way to do that is with music.
With Epidemic Sound.
More than 55,000 tracks made by real artists. One workflow to help you find, edit, and sync music in your video. Globally cleared licensing. No surprises.
Get started with Epidemic Sound and tell your best story, your way.
Frequently asked questions about the most-followed people on Instagram
Who has the most followers on Instagram?
Instagramâs own official account has the most followers on Instagram, with 686 million as of August 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo is second with 679 million, followed by Leo Messi with 517 million. Instagramâs account is the only brand in the top 10; every other account belongs to a celebrity.
Who is the most-followed user on Instagram?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the most-followed user on Instagram, with 679 million followers as of August 2026. The only account ahead of him is Instagramâs own official account, which is a brand page rather than a user. This makes Ronaldo the most-followed individual person on the platform.
Why does Instagramâs own account have the most followers?
Instagramâs official account has been active since early 2012, roughly a year after the platform launched. As a result, it gained followers from the earliest user base. It also posts consistently: platform updates, emerging creators, celebrity and influencer content, and memes.
Where do the most-followed Instagram accounts come from?
Eight of the most-followed Instagram accounts are based in the United States. Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi are the only non-US entries.
Who is the second-most-followed person on Instagram?
Leo Messi is the second-most-followed person on Instagram, with 517 million followers as of August 2026. He sits behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 679 million. Messi is third overall on the most-followed list, as Instagramâs own brand page ranks above both footballers with 686 million followers.
Who has the most followers on Instagram ever?
Instagramâs official account holds the highest follower count in the platformâs history at 686 million. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for an individual user at 679 million. Ronaldo was the first person to pass 500 million followers, in November 2022; and the first person to reach 600 million followers, in August 2023.
Which brand has the most followers on Instagram?
Instagramâs own account is the most-followed brand page on Instagram, with 686 million followers. Itâs also the only brand in the platformâs overall top 10. Nike is the second-most-followed brand, with 291 million followers.
How many followers do you need to be in the Instagram top 10?
You need roughly 291 million followers to make Instagramâs top 10, which is KhloĂ© Kardashianâs count at number 10 as of August 2026.
How often does the most-followed Instagram list change?
The ranking order rarely changes, but the follower numbers change constantly. Any published list is a snapshot, and this list is updated weekly. The top three positions, Instagram, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Leo Messi, have been stable for years. The other positions shift more often.
Related posts:
- How to create and join an Instagram broadcast channel
- The 10 most-followed Facebook accounts in 2026
- Who has the most followers on X/Twitter?
* Data and rankings updated September 111, 2026