The 20 Most Followed Instagram Accounts in 2022
Instagram has become one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, and it is used by members of the public and celebrities alike. While some people simply share their life experiences on Instagram, others use it to promote their business or to make money endorsing products. Some users have accumulated millions of followers as people are interested in getting an insight into their lives, and these are usually celebrities. So, which are the most followed Instagram accounts? Predominantly, the people who have accrued the most Instagram followers are celebrities, although there are also some sportspeople and businesses. Here are the 20 most followed Instagram accounts in 2022.
20. Miley Cyrus – 178 Million
Miley Cyrus has been in the entertainment industry since 2001, when she was a child star. She shot to fame playing the title role in the Disney Channel’s ‘Hannah Montana,’ followed by the film of the same name. She has since had a successful career as a solo artist, releasing seven studio albums, three live albums, four EPs, 36 singles, six charity singles, and ten promotional singles. Cyrus has also had roles in films including ‘Stand By You,’ ‘Big Fish,’ ‘Bolt,’ ‘LOL,’ ‘So Undercover,’ ‘The Last Song,’ ‘The Night Before,’ ‘Crisis in Six Scenes,’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’
19. Kourtney Kardashian – 190 Million
Kourtney Kardashian Barker has a significantly lower Instagram following than her sister, but it is still impressive by most people’s standards. Kardashian began starring in ‘Keeping Up Appearances’ alongside her family members in 2007, which is how she was propelled into the limelight. She has also appeared in various spin-off series with her sisters and has retail and fashion businesses with sisters Kim and Khloe Kardashian.
18. Nicki Minaj – 198 Million
Singer Nicki Minaj goes by the name Barbie on Instagram, and she currently has 198 million followers. Minaj is best known for her career in the music industry, and she has released four studio albums, three compilation albums, 121 singles, one reissue, three mixtapes, and 19 promotional singles. Sher has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, which means she is the best-selling female rapper of all time. Minaj has also ventured into acting and voice acting. Her films include ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift,’ ‘The Other Woman,’ ‘Barbershop: The Next Cut,’ and ‘The Angry Birds Movie 2.’
17. Virat Kohli – 208 Million
While the sportspeople with the most Instagram followers are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, it is not only footballers who attract followers on the social media platform. Cricket is another internationally popular sport, and the cricketer with the most Instagram followers is Virat Kohli, an Indian international cricketer and the former captain of the India national cricket team. The cricketer currently has 208 million followers. He is popular for both his successful cricket career and for his high-profile marriage to Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.
The couple’s daughter, Vamika, was born in 2021. Kohli is the co-owner of the Indian Super League club FC Goa and co-owner of the International Premier Tennis League franchise UAE Royals. His other business interests include the youth fashion brand WROGN, a chain of gyms called Chisel, and a children’s fitness venture. Kohli is also a shareholder of and brand ambassador for the social networking platform Sport Convo.
16. Jennifer Lopez – 218 Million
Jennifer Lopez has achieved many things in both the music and film industries, so it is expected that she will have accrued a huge fanbase. Her popularity is reflected in the 218 million people who follow her on Instagram. Although she began her career as a dancer, she gained popularity when she turned to acting. Her first leading role was in the 1997 film ‘Selena,’ and she became the first Hispanic actress to earn more than $1 million for a film. Two years later, Lopez, also known as J-Lo, released her debut studio album, then starred in the film ‘The Cell’ the following year. In 2001, she released her second studio album and starred in ‘The Wedding Planner.’ It led to her becoming the first woman to have a number one film and album in the same week. She has continued to enjoy successful careers in both music and film.
15. Taylor Swift – 219 Million
Taylor Swift began her career in 2004 when she was just 14. She has since become one of the most successful female artists of all time. She has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, had eight singles top the Billboard Hot 100, had some of history’s highest-grossing tours, and been ranked as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Swift has also won 11 Grammy Awards, 34 American Music Awards, 29 Billboard Music Awards, an Emmy Award, and 58 Guinness World Records. Due to the success of her career, it is unsurprising that she has amassed 219 Instagram followers.
14. Nike – 230 Million
Businesses also use Instagram predominantly to promote their goods or services to increase sales and profits. Nike is one of the most followed businesses on the platform, with 230 million followers. Most of the posts on the account are of people modeling the brand’s clothing, shoes, and other apparel or promoting upcoming Nike releases.
13. The Most Followed Non-Celebrity Instagram Account: National Geographic – 233 Million
Not every Instagram account with millions of followers is a celebrity, as people often follow accounts based on their interests. One of the top Instagram accounts, with 233 million followers, is National Geographic. It is well worth following this account if you like to see spectacular photographs of animals in their natural habitat or breathtaking images of natural phenomena as they occur. They also post stories and facts about the natural world, travel, history, science, and geography.
12. Kendall Jenner – 248 Million
While Kendall Jenner does not have quite the same social media clout as her sister Kim, Kylie, and Khloe, a following of 248 million is none too shabby. Jenner is a model, media personality, and socialite who shot to fame on ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians.’ She began working as a model when she was just 14, and her breakout modeling seasons were 2014 and 2015 when she modeled for well-known fashion designers.
11. Justin Bieber – 248 Million
Speak RJ lists singer Justin Bieber in the eleventh position. Last year, Justin Bieber made it into the top ten list of the most followed people on Instagram, but he was knocked from the number ten spot this year by Khloe Kardashian. Like many singers, Bieber uses his Instagram account to promote his music, but he also uploads photographs of what he is getting up to in his personal life, including shots of himself with his wife, Hailey Baldwin.
10. Khloe Kardashian – 262 Million
Like her siblings, Khloe Kardashian is hugely popular on social media and has an Instagram following of around 262 million. Along with other family members, Khloe Kardashian first became famous for her appearances in ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ and its various spin-offs. Despite continuing career links with her family, Khloe Kardashian has also ventured out independently. She co-hosted the second season of the US ‘The X factor,’ hosted her talk show, participated in season two of ‘The Celebrity Apprentice,’ and launched various clothing, fragrance, and cosmetic ranges.
9. Beyoncé Knowles – 268 Million
Beyoncé Carter-Knowles is successful in many fields, as she is a singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, actress, director, and businesswoman. As she is such a high-profile personality in so many industries, it stands to reason that she will have lots of followers on her social media accounts. Also known as Queen B, Beyoncé now has 368 Instagram followers, and the number is growing. She posts videos of her performances and other photographs to promote her work. Beyoncé also occasionally treats fans with posts that give an insight into her personal life as a mom of three.
8. Ariana Grande – 322 Million
After taking the pop world by storm, it is hardly surprising that singer and actress Ariana Grande is in the top ten of most Instagram followers list. In addition to her successful career in music and television, Grande is popular for her beauty. Furthermore, her personal life has attracted attention to her social media pages. She currently has more than 322 million Instagram followers on her account. Her posts cover many aspects of her life, including her personal life and career.
7. Kim Kardashian – 325 Million
Although she has not achieved the Instagram heights of her sister, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian has managed to accrue an impressive 325 followers on the platform. Even after Keeping Up with the Kardashians finished its run, Kim Kardashian has stayed in the limelight with her other high-profile ventures and big social media presence. Her fans will see more of her soon as she is starring with her family in the new series ‘The Kardashians.’
6. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson – 328 Million
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has ensured a wide and diverse fanbase due to his varied career history in wrestling, acting, music, and voiceovers, and he is also a businessman. The multi-talented celebrity has now accrued 328 million Instagram followers. Although he posts about many themes, a common topic covered by Johnson’s Instagram posts is fitness. Dwayne Johnson is known for his roles in the ‘Fast and the Furious’ franchise, ‘Moana,’ ‘Central Intelligence,’ ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,’ ‘Race to Witch Mountain, and the ‘Jumanji’ franchise.
5. Selena Gomez – 336 Million
Taking the number five spot is actress and singer Selena Gomez. Despite boasting 336 million followers on Instagram, Gomez has previously said she tries to avoid social media as much as possible. Her stance on using social media as a platform to stay in the limelight hasn’t stopped her fans from following her and liking her posts when she does decide to post on the site. When she does post on the platform, it is often to promote mental health and wellbeing. Gomez is known for a successful career in the music industry and for her roles in films such as ‘Another Cinderella Story,’ ‘the Hotel Transylvania’ film franchise, ‘A Rainy Day in New York,’ and ‘Monte Carlo.’
4. Lionel Messi – 349 Million
Hot on the heels of fellow footballer Lionel Messi is Lionel Messi, who has 349 million followers as of July 2022. In 2021, he overtook Kylie Jenner to land the number three spot on the list, but Jenner has overtaken the Argentine footballer this year. However, it is still close, and Messi has the potential to regain the number three position.
3. Kylie Jenner – 358 Million
The most followed woman on Instagram is Kylie Jenner, who also holds the accolade of being the first woman to achieve 300 million Instagram followers. The model, television personality, and businesswoman has also achieved many other things in her life, including Forbes naming her the youngest self-made billionaire in 2019. Jenner is the founder of brands including Kylie Cosmetics, Kylie Baby, Kylie Swim, and Kylie Skin.
2. The Most Followed Individual Instagram Account: Cristiano Ronaldo – 467 Million
What about the most followed Instagram account of an individual? That title belongs to footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, with a staggering 467 million followers. Due to his massive salary and endorsements, Ronaldo lives a luxurious lifestyle that his fans dream of living. As they cannot afford to live the amazing life of their football hero, his fans have to settle for a peek into his life via his Instagram account.
1. The Most Followed Instagram Account: Instagram – 516 Million
Instagram’s own account is the most followed Instagram account, with 516 million followers, says Lifestyle Asia. The Instagram account has more than 7,000 posts, and many of these promote some of the top users of the site. The posts cover a vast array of topics to capture the interest of as many users as possible.
