It’s probably the middle of the night, and you are trying to get some sleep in, but doom-scrolling is keeping you up. While scrolling through Reels, you have the random thought to learn which are the most followed Instagram accounts. Come on, I know I am not the only crazy one here, and we have all had such strange thoughts out of the blue. Well, if you’re as strange as me, this list should surely satiate your curiosity. So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at the 15 most followed Instagram accounts in 2026.
Overview of the Most Followed Instagram Accounts in 2026
| Instagram Accounts Ranked by Most Followed | Number of Followers |
|---|---|
| Instagram (@instagram) | 698 Million |
| Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) | 670 Million |
| Lionel Messi (@leomessi) | 511 Million |
| Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) | 415 Million |
| Kylie Jenner (@kyliejenner) | 391 Million |
| Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (@therock) | 390 Million |
| Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) | 372 Million |
| Kim Kardashian (@kimkardashian) | 353 Million |
| Beyoncé (@beyonce) | 308 Million |
| Khloé Kardashian (@khloekardashian) | 299 Million |
| Nike (@nike) | 298 Million |
| Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) | 292 Million |
| Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) | 284 Million |
| Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) | 281 Million |
| National Geographic (@natgeo) | 275 Million |
Most Followed Accounts on Instagram
1. Instagram
- Follower Count: 698 Million
Call it irony, or fate, but the top-most followed Instagram account is none other than Instagram’s official page itself. With over 698 million total followers at the time of writing, it is far ahead of any other account on this list. The handle actively uploads posts and videos from across the globe, belonging to various other content creators on Instagram.
These posts range from educational and inspirational to downright wholesome, allowing them to be at the top of this list with such a huge follower base. Besides, nothing screams king more than Instagram dominating its very own platform, right?
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
- Follower Count: 670 Million
It should come as no surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo is the most-followed personal Instagram account in the world. The 41-year-old professional footballer has amassed a whopping 670 million followers on Instagram, to be specific, at the time of writing this. I’m pretty sure by the time you read this, the numbers will have gone up significantly.
As per a report from CNN, he is also the most expensive Instagrammer, as he charges approximately $3.23 Million per sponsored post!
3. Lionel Messi
- Follower Count: 511 Million
Now, I don’t want Messi and Ronaldo fans fighting in the comments section. Or, maybe I do. This is not about who’s the best footballer in the world, but has more to do with actual data. Right after Ronaldo, we have Lionel Messi coming in hot with over 511 million followers on the social media platform, making him the third most-followed Instagram account. You can see a mixture of Instagram Posts, Reels, and sponsored posts on Messi’s Instagram handle.
4. Selena Gomez
- Follower Count: 415 Million
Next up, we have the Come & Get It singer, who has raked in a mind-boggling 415 million followers on Instagram over the years. This is a little lower than it was last year. But still, Salena Gomez manages to be the 4th most followed account on Instagram which is no easy feat. Many of you may be wondering why the 33-year-old singer and performer has so many followers on Instagram.
Well, Selena is known for not faking it and pouring her heart out to her followers on Instagram. The Wizards of Waverly Place star also has a special place in the hearts of many kids across the globe. If you take a look at her Instagram handle, you will see that most of her Instagram posts are from and about the real world. Maybe this is exactly why she was once the most followed Instagram account in the world, back in 2017, before Ronaldo surpassed her.
5. Kylie Jenner
- Follower Count: 391 Million
Yeah, I know it would have been the most hilarious thing ever to have Kevin Hart at number 6 right after Dwayne, but it is what it is. Moving on, we have Kylie Jenner, who was proclaimed the world’s first 21-year-old self-made billionaire back in 2019. She had made quite the headlines back then. However, the now 28-year-old Kylie has the 5th most followed Instagram account.
To be specific, Kylie has a total of 391 million Instagram followers at the time of writing. Last year she was behind The Rock, but she has taken over the Hollywood mega star just this year again. She is also one of the most expensive Instagrammers,charging an insane $2.3 million per sponsored post on the platform, which puts her right after Cristiano Ronaldo.
6. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
- Follower Count: 390 Million
WWE fans definitely have a soft spot for Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock. Dwayne has quite literally made a lot of our childhoods memorable by teaming up with Ronda Rousey and dominating the WWE stage. Moreover, his movies have also made him one of the most bankable actors out there.
In addition, he has also been an inspirational role model to millions across the globe, getting him a total of 391 million followers, making him the 6th most followed Instagram account in the world.
7. Ariana Grande
- Follower Count: 372 Million
At number 7, Ariana Grande, who has secured her position as the 7th most followed Instagram account. What makes her Instagram account one of the most followed is not just her hit songs and out-of-this-world vocals.
She also gained popularity for playing the absolutely adorable Cat Valentine in the hit Nickelodeon television series called Victorious. At the time of writing, the 31-year-old musician and actress has 372 Instagram followers.
8. Kim Kardashian
- Follower Count: 353 Million
If your guilty pleasure was or is binge-watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians, you will know that they are really good at managing businesses. They are absolute professionals in what they do, and it has helped them build the Kardashian empire as we know it today.
Kim Kardashian is no less, being the owner of multiple businesses and having a net worth of an unbelievable $1.7 billion. You can now understand why she is one of the most followed Instagram accounts in the world, with a total of 353 million Instagram followers. This is slightly lower than it used to be.
9. Beyoncé
- Follower Count: 308 Million
Coming in at number 9, we have Queen Bey herself, with a total of 308 million followers on Instagram. Besides having the 9th most followed Instagram account, the Single Ladies star is also one of the richest musicians in the world, with a net worth of approximately $800 million. Yeah, wrap your head around that.
The Queen has not only reigned over the music industry for decades but also the world of beauty and fashion. Everything she has done for both these realms has given her cult status at this point.
10. Khloé Kardashian
- Follower Count: 299 Million
Khloe Kardashian rose to fame during the show Keeping Up With the Kardashians. She is also known for being the co-founder of Good American, a clothing brand, alongside Emma Grede. All of this together has allowed her to garner 299 followers on Instagram. This is again less than her 311-follower base from a couple of years back. You can see her posting snippets of not just her everyday personal life, but pictures from her professional life as well.
11. Nike
- Follower Count: 298 Million
Yes, you are reading it right. Nike is the 11th most followed account on Instagram in the world. If you are wondering why, just visit their account. Moreover, in case you are trying to understand how to get verified on Instagram organically, taking a look at their account can help you out.
What has led to Nike garnering 298 million Instagram followers at the time of writing is its exceptional social media strategy. This strategy is what has made its social media presence immensely strong. They use a brilliant mixture of Instagram reels, videos, and posts to be at the top of their social media game. Kudos to the Nike social media team!
12. Justin Bieber
- Follower Count: 292 Million
I don’t think I’ll ever forget the year 2010 when Justin Bieber’s Baby took the music industry by storm. From there to being one of the well-known icons in the music business, and now the 12th most followed Instagram account, he has achieved pretty much everything that people can only dream about at the age of 31.
It is crazy to even think about the fact that the Stay vocalist now has 292 million Instagram followers, alongside a net worth of roughly $300 million. From the looks of it, Bieber is just getting started and has a lot more hits up his sleeve.
13. Kendall Jenner
- Follower Count: 284 Million
Yes, we have another Kardashian on this list. There’s nothing I can do about it. As you all probably know by now, the Kardashians just know how to build a following, and Kendall is no less with 284 million Instagram followers. Although she mainly rose to fame when Keeping Up With The Kardashians aired from 2007 to 2021, she also hit the headlines with her tequila brand, 818 Tequila.
14. Taylor Swift
- Follower Count: 281 Million
If you are a Swiftie, you are probably happy to see Taylor Swift make it to our list of most followed Instagram accounts after already securing a throne as the most-streamed artist on Spotify of all time. Well, as of January 2026, Swift has 281 million Instagram followers. The Fate of Ophelia singer has been at it for almost two decades.
Moreover, she has been an inspiring youth icon as well, which backs up the reason behind her massive following. Not to mention that she is one of the most powerful people in the music industry, with a net worth of a whopping $1.6 billion.
15. National Geographic
- Follower Count: 275 Million
If you have ever followed National Geographic and the work that they have been doing, you will understand why they are one of the most followed Instagram accounts in the world currently. One thing that Nat Geo has been unbeatable in is quality content.
Their main aim has always been to make people more aware of our nature. Their Instagram posts do the same, and when you do see a Nat Geo post, don’t forget to read through their amazing captions. You will definitely learn a thing or two! I most certainly do, and I surely am one of the 275 million followers that Nat Geo has on Instagram.
Which of the Most Followed Instagram Accounts is Your Favorite?
Now that we have taken a look at the most followed Instagram accounts, it is time for you to tell us who is your favorite one? Are you a football fanatic and follow Ronaldo or Messi, or a music lover and enjoy your favorite artists like Salena Gomez, Ariana Grande or Justin Beiber.
Maybe you prefer sports and fitness, so you check up on the latest from Nike or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Whatever you preference is, let us know in the comments down below.
The #1 most followed account on Instagram belongs to Instagram’s official page, with total followers of a whopping 698 million.
The 10 most followed Instagram accounts include Instagram itself, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Selena Gomez, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Kylie Jenner, Ariana Grande, Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, Khloé Kardashian, and Nike.
The most liked picture on Instagram is that of Messi holding the World Cup after Argentina’s victory against France in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Learn from Khaby is the most viewed video on Instagram, belonging to the viral sensation Khaby’s account.
@cristiano is currently the most expensive Instagram username, belonging to Cristiano Ronaldo, charging approximately $3.23 million per sponsored post on the social media platform.
