Instagram in 2025 is still a huge deal, influencing our day-to-day habits—from the way we shop to the shows we binge. Over the past few years, I’ve personally watched people shoot to fame overnight, while others with great ideas never catch that lucky break. It’s no secret we all wonder who sits at the top of Instagram’s follower ranks and what they’re doing right. Let’s dive into the top personalities dominating the platform, some intriguing smaller influencers making a difference, and a few questionable shortcuts some accounts might be taking to boost those numbers.
The Evolving World of Instagram
Way back, when Instagram was just about posting pretty pictures and slapping on a handful of popular hashtags, it felt simpler to attract new eyeballs. Now, you’ve got Reels, Stories, shopping features, ephemeral content—basically a giant playground for businesses and creators. In 2025, celebrities and influencers (ranging from big names to folks with maybe a few thousand followers) are all trying to stand out in the crowd.
I swear, every time I open my feed, I see mini “Hollywood productions.” People are using drones, professional lighting, and even voice-over techniques just for a single 30-second clip. But despite all this polish, authenticity remains super important—because audiences can tell when they’re being fed something fake. In fact, I’ve seen some folks scale back on fancy editing to be more relatable. It’s a wild balance between polished content and realness, and it’s the reason certain people manage to gather mind-boggling follower numbers.
Top Heavyweights: Who Has Most Followers on Instagram?
Here are the list of the users who have the most followers on Instagram.
Cristiano Ronaldo
If you ask who has most followers on Instagram, the answer is Cristiano Ronaldo. He is still the undisputed champion, hovering around 750 million followers (last I checked). Sounds bananas, right? His combination of top-level soccer performance, product sponsorships, and personal peeks into his family life keeps people hooked. I recall hearing about him gaining over 40 million followers in just one month after winning a huge tournament—still blows my mind. Some of my students have tried dissecting his posts to figure out how he transitions so seamlessly from talk of soccer trophies to a photo with his kids, all while weaving in brand deals.
Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner remains an unstoppable force in both beauty and business. She’s been known to harness every Instagram feature—be it standard feed posts or short-form videos—to drum up excitement for her latest cosmetics line. A couple of years ago, she racked up around 35 million followers in one year alone. I actually tuned in to one of her live broadcasts (I guess I was just curious) and was amazed at how one mention of a new lipstick shade sent tens of thousands of excited comments rolling in. I’ve also noticed how she sprinkles in glimpses of her personal life, which people seem to love.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi isn’t too far behind, with roughly 650 million followers. His approach feels relaxed: a mix of heartfelt moments with family and glimpses of training sessions, plus occasional partnerships with high-end sports or fashion labels. In 2024, he reportedly picked up 30 million new fans in just a few months after a major championship. I think the real draw is his calm, genuine style. You’ll see pictures of him kicking a ball around one day and then hugging his kids the next. It’s refreshing in a sea of perfectly edited highlight reels.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez also ranks high with around 500 million followers. She frequently uses her profile to discuss personal challenges, new music, or just behind-the-scenes peeks at her daily life. At one point, she released a candid documentary that apparently led to a noticeable spike in her numbers. There’s something honest about how she opens up, and I’ve seen a lot of fans say they feel “heard” or validated by her perspective on mental wellness. That sincerity makes people stick around.
Growth Tactics and Rumors
Let’s be real: any space that promises fame and money usually has people looking for shortcuts. As a result, a bunch of controversies and gossip swirl around Instagram’s top players:
1. Using Bots
If you see an account jump by, say, a million followers overnight, it raises eyebrows. I’ve spotted suspicious “analysis reports” in the past. Usually, these cases show engagement totally out of sync with the monstrous follower jump. Sometimes, if you dig deeper, you’ll find entire threads accusing the influencer of buying cheap followers from spammy bot services. Use Views4You for trusted service – everyones’ choice – if you want to have real engagement.
2. Massive Giveaways
Throwing in a chance to win a fancy car or a trip can balloon your followers quickly. Yet, often those followers vanish when the giveaway ends. A colleague once tried this approach and was thrilled to see her count shoot up—until the event wrapped up. The next month, her numbers tanked, and her usual fans seemed less excited to engage with her regular posts.
3. Gaming the Algorithm
Some creators are rumored to join secret clubs where they systematically plan out likes and comments within minutes of a post going live, trying to trick Instagram into ranking their content higher. I once received an invite to one by accident and was amazed at how precisely they coordinated everything. It’s a bit like a choreographed dance, except the end goal is to fool the platform’s automated system.
Why They Have Most Followers on Instagram (Without Being Shady)
I frequently get asked, “Okay, but really—how they have most followers on Instagram?” Despite what some shady services promise, there’s no perfect recipe. However, a few tried-and-true principles keep popping up:
1. Consistency
Don’t vanish for weeks at a time. Posting at least a few times a week helps people remember who you are. Try a regular schedule so your fans know when to check in.
2. Genuine Interactions
Answer comments thoughtfully and encourage further conversation. It’s one simple trick that can turn casual viewers into loyal followers. And yes, it takes time.
3. Tap Into Trends (But Stay True)
Jumping on popular hashtags or dance challenges can grab attention, but don’t stray too far from what you’re about. If people follow you for fitness tips, and you randomly post comedic skits, they might get confused.
4. Collaborations
Partnering with folks in your niche can open you up to their audience. It doesn’t have to be a formal brand deal—a simple joint live chat or giveaway can work if done sincerely.
In short, if you’re searching for how to increase followers on Instagram, think quality over quantity. A few dedicated fans who actually like your stuff is way better than thousands who never interact at all.
Read also: Twitter Views vs. Retweets: Which Matters More for Your Social Media Success?
Why Follower Counts Might Be Overrated
I’ve had plenty of conversations with up-and-coming influencers who fixate on numbers, but a million passive followers can be way less powerful than 50,000 super-engaged ones. Even huge brands sometimes realize (a bit late) that a smaller influencer with real rapport can deliver better results than a mega-star with lukewarm fans.
Yet, big numbers remain tempting. Some advertisers and agencies still chase whoever can flash the highest stats. I’ve witnessed deals where authenticity took a backseat to simple mass exposure. It can feel contradictory—like we value real engagement, but we also can’t resist shiny big digits.
