Unfiltered Instagram Statistics You’ll Want to Share With All Your Followers

Nikolina Cveticanin

Updated: May 5, 2023

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It’s an app that allows you to take, share, and post pictures. Simple, right? But add a catalog of whimsical filters, the platform’s aesthetic nature, and a potential audience of 1.5 billion viewers, and things get a little more complicated.

Instagram and Facebook dominate our digital landscape, which is filled with the glamorous lifestyles of celebrities and influencers.

Although this skewing of reality can arouse concerns about the state of mental health in young people, Instagram statistics show that this format has become a central part of our modern lives.

Key Instagram Statistics

• More than 50 billion photos have been shared on Instagram.

• Instagram has more than 1 billion users who are active at least once a month. More than 500 million are active on a daily basis.

• Users spend 49 minutes a day on Facebook and Instagram.

• 25 million businesses are on Instagram.

• Brand engagement rates are 10x higher on Instagram than on Facebook.

• In 2019, the brand with the most followers was Nike.

• The best time to post on Instagram is 9-11 a.m. EST.

• 500,000 influencers are on Instagram.

• Instagram made $6.8 billion in ad revenue in 2020.

• Nearly 90% of Instagram’s audience is outside the US.

• With more than 401 million followers, Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed individual on Instagram.

Instagram Usage Statistics

When did Instagram start? The very first photo was posted by Kevin Systrom on July 16, 2010. The idea of a multi-feature social platform focused on location sharing came to him while he was vacationing in Mexico.

Systrom co-founded the world’s largest photo-sharing website with Michael Krieger.

Instagram marketing statistics were the last thing on their minds. They were thinking of an innovative social media platform.

Krieger felt that photos taken on the iPhone 4 were far below the standard they wanted for their app. Systrom came up with a solution – filters. This innovation helped transform each poorly shot photo into an evocative snapshot. It soon became Instagram’s key selling point.

Instagram has 1 billion monthly active users.

(Instagram)

Are you worried about the number of hours you spend on your Instagram account? One or two hours every day might seem like a lot. Now multiply that by one billion active users.

Instagram usage statistics proved that even though it is one of the newest social media platforms, it is becoming increasingly popular. One billion is a big number, which translates into one in seven people on the planet spending some of their precious leisure time on this app.

500 million Instagram Stories are posted daily.

(Instagram)

In 2016, the founders of Instagram felt that their beautifying filters were becoming obsolete. It was time for something new. They soon realized that Instagram users were living in the fast lane, and they needed a new feature to match their busy lifestyles.

This is the dawn of Instagram Story statistics. Instagram stories have become hugely popular with the app’s users. People love the idea of sharing images that disappear within 24 hours, and the slideshow format has turned out to be a huge hit.

Story Insta community now numbers over 500 million daily users.

Instagrammers like a post 4.2 billion times per day.

(Upfluence)

Instagram has one of the highest engagement rates across all social media platforms. Instagram likes statistics show that the Like button is used 4.2 billion times daily.

Even though Facebook holds the throne as the most used social media platform, Instagram stats show the photo sharing app is not far behind. It has quickly eclipsed the popularity of many of its competitors.

For instance, the number of Twitter users stalled at 335 million in the last couple of years, while Instagram shows unstoppable growth since its launch in 2010.

Instagram post statistics show that over 50 billion photos have been shared since the service was launched.

(Omnicore Agency)

As you scroll down your Instagram profile feed, you will come across countless snaps of memorable moments, animals, nature and beauty products.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the platform’s features are certainly worth a billion users.

25 million companies and brands are on Instagram, according to the latest Instagram business statistics.

(Forbes Agency Council)

The days when businesses called it a day after buying ads from local TV stations and newspapers are long gone. Now customers get round-the-clock interactive access to their favorite brands and a chance to browse through all types of products and services.

This is especially true when it comes to Instagram. Instagram statistics show that over 25 million businesses have Instagram accounts. Businesses have the option to use Instagram Stories as daily posts and start a conversation with potential clients. They can broadcast one of the brand’s events. The possibilities are endless.

63% of Instagrammers check out the app at least once per day.

(Pew Research Center)

Instagram traffic is growing rapidly. According to the Pew Research Center’s Instagram statistics on the website, 63% of Americans are checking out their feed once per day. The only app that is more frequently accessed is Facebook – 74% of Facebook adult users check out the site once per day.

Instagram user search reveals that 16% of Instagrammers log in less than once per week, while 42% said they check out Instagram multiple times per day.

95 million photos are posted every day.

(Impact)

Instagram analytics show that 95 million selfies, snaps of sunsets and staged photos are posted every day. The number is truly breathtaking.

Instagram statistics for 2019 show that an average Instagram photo has 37 interactions per 1,000 followers, while videos average 24 interactions per 1,000 followers.

Business profiles are visited by 200 million users daily.

(Instagram)

During those long hours on Instagram, what are users visiting? Who is the most followed person on Instagram? It seems that a sizable portion of users, 200 million to be exact, choose to visit business profiles.

Instagram usage statistics show that users in the US spend almost as much time on the app as they do on Facebook.

(Vox)

Online measurement company Similar Web found that an average Instagram user spends 53 minutes per day on the app. According to the study, that’s just five minutes less than Facebook users spend with their app.

Over 100 million Instagram users watched or shared a live video every day in 2018.

(Instagram)

As live video took the world by storm, Instagram Live emerged as a great way to interact with audiences and attract new followers. According to Instagram Live statistics, this feature has become one of the most effective live video formats, exhibiting a high interaction rate.

The live experience is one of the main reasons why this format attracted 100 million users in 2018, allowing them to interact with others in real time. So, it’s perhaps no surprise that Facebook and Instagram Live are doing well.

Instagram user search analytics show that there are 16.6 million Google searches for “Instagram” every month.

(iDigic)

The record number of Google searches for Instagram was reported in the months before July 2019. These statistics on Instagram underscore the brand’s popularity, and the 16.6 million searches for “Instagram” showcase the app’s audience is massive.

Instagram Advertising Statistics

The advent of the internet has transformed the way we live and shop while digital media is continuing to revolutionize the way brands communicate with audiences. In many ways, advertising on Instagram is similar to that of the Facebook platform.In a nutshell, the process involves marketers bidding for an ad placement, and the highest bid wins an advertising slot. But there is a lot more to Instagram advertising statistics, and we compiled a list of everything you need to know.

Over 2 million advertisers actively use Instagram.

(Instagram)

Many of the 1 billion Instagram users are on the app for business not pleasure. Instagram is home to over 2 million advertisers promoting their products through vibrant and compelling campaigns.

Instagram ads statistics reveal that the average cost per click on the photo and video-sharing social networking service is $1.41.

(DigitalMarketing.org)

How does Instagram work and just how much does it cost to advertise on Instagram? If you are a business looking for advertising space on this popular network, you can expect to pay somewhere between $0.50 and $1.00 per click.

A multitude of factors determine the final cost. It mostly depends on the age group you are targeting.

For instance, Instagram statistics show that the highest prices are linked to the 18-24 and 25-34 age groups, since these are the

most profitable when it comes to marketing on Instagram.

It costs more to target females with Instagram ads than males.

(DigitalMarketing.org)

Gender is important to keep in mind when advertising on Instagram. According to Instagram statistics on gender ratio from 2018, 50.7% of Instagram users are female, while 49.3% are male.

Many researchers tried to explain these numbers by claiming that women are more focused on appearances and that the aesthetics of images seem to lure women. But more importantly, the type of products and services being offered through Instagram photos and videos are generally more tailored to womens’ preferences than to men.

No matter what the reason, Instagram and its effect on marketing and business statistics show that the cost per click will remain higher for females than males.

Brand engagement rate is 10 times higher on Instagram posts than Facebook.

(AdEspresso)

In spite of the immense popularity and influence of Facebook, Instagram remains the sweetheart among social media marketers. The engagement is usually measured by the number of likes, shares and comments coming from free Instagram followers, and it seems that Instagram’s rate is 10 times higher than Facebook’s.

Brands have taken notice of this engagement rate difference. They are learning from these Instagram account statistics and supplying Instagram’s feed with text and video content more than ever.

70% of internet users look up a brand on Instagram.

(HubSpot)

The key selling point of Instagram is its charm and the fact that its users are both active and engaged. Million of users are checking the app every day and many are looking for new products by scrolling through Instagram tags.

Instagram marketing statistics show that 70% of them spent time looking for their new favorite brands, while more than 25 million businesses scramble to meet their needs.

As of September 2019, the most followed brand on Instagram was Nike.

(Unmetric)

Nike was not the first company to utilize world-renowned athletes for their videos in an effort to attract a greater audience. But they were the ones who managed to attract the biggest real-time subscriber count. This company is known in the advertising industry for their motivational ads that inspire athletes from around the world.

Instagram account growth statistics show that this iconic brand is inspiring over 90 million followers. Its Instagram audience is treated to global sports news and updates with new short films and documentary series.

Clinching second place is Victoria’s Secret with more than 68 million lingerie enthusiasts, according to the latest Instagram statistics on followers.

Fashion brands dominate Instagram with an average of 35 million followers.

(Unmetric)

Instagram users are bombarded with all types of fashion advertisements on a daily basis and millions seem to love it. On average, Instagram fashion posts boast the highest number of interactions and the largest fan base – Instagram profile statistics show an average of 35 million followers.

The best time to post on Instagram is 9am-11am EST.

(Later)

It is apparent that advertising on Instagram is a lucrative business. So, what are the most profitable hours of the day?

Instagram viewer statistics show that the best time to post is during weekends between 9am and 11am EST. However, there are many factors influencing the value of the advertising slot. Every account has a unique audience with their fans living in different parts of the globe. As such, ads should be tailored to reach their Instagram online viewer.

Instagram posts with shared locations have 79% higher  engagement rates.

(Quick Sprout)

Free Instagram analytics underline the importance of reaching your audience, who should also be informed about where they can find their favorite product. Instagram hashtags statistics show that tagged posts drastically improve engagement rates.

21. There are 500,000 active influencers on Instagram.

(InfluencerDB)

The success of the influencer marketing industry has only become more evident in recent years. An influencer has an enormous cultural impact on their audience and sets global trends.

But an influencer has to have a loyal fan base. Instagram popularity statistics note that every Instagram account with over 15,000 followers is classified as an influencer. Current data shows that more than 39% of all Instagram accounts currently have over 15,000 followers.

Instagram made $6.8 billion in ad revenue in 2020.

(Vox)

Since Facebook acquired the Instagram website for $1B, the company’s growth predictions have been nothing but positive. The app’s user base is engaged, young and with a higher-than-average income. This has led to estimates from Instagram official statistics about the app’s future earnings. By the fourth quarter of 2020, Instagram generated $6.8B in global revenues.

Instagram User Statistics

Who are Instagrammers and what is their Instagram status? With a heavily active user base, Instagram beats Snapchat, TikTok and other digital platforms. Instagram user base statistics show that many Instagrammers come from emerging or developing markets. Most of Instagram’s expansion was attributed to the launch of Instagram Stories, that took the world by storm. To compete with YouTube, Instagram launched a standalone app IGTV, which features long-form, vertical videos.

Nine years since the founding of the social media app, Instagram user statistics show a vast base of active users. Our Instagram demographic research reveals details about Instagram’s current audience.

Nearly 90% of Instagram’s user base lives outside the US.

(Sprout Social)

The Instagram app is used all over the world. Instagram user statistics show that even though Americans make up the largest Instagram audience, they are not the majority. Here is the list of countries with the most Instagrammers:

• USA: 116 million users
• Brazil: 73 million users
• India: 72 million users
• Indonesia: 60 million users
• Russia: 42 million users

Canada’s penetration rate is growing fastest.

(eMarketer)

While Instagram is attracting users at a brisk pace all around the world, it is the fastest-growing social media platform in Canada.

Instagram statistics on users in Canada show some very impressive numbers. The social network recorded 20.4% growth in 2018 and a 7.3% jump in 2019. According to eMarketer forecasts, 2020 will see another 6.1% rise to 12.6 million users.

The country with the highest Instagram market penetration is Brunei.

(Statista)

Instagram analytics reveal Brunei as the country with the highest Instagram penetration rate. This doesn’t mean this small country has the most users, but that a higher percentage of the population uses Instagram. In Brunei, 60% of the population uses Instagram. In the United States, it’s 37%.

Instagram user statistics by country reveal that these are the countries where Instagram enjoys the highest market penetration:

• Brunei: 60%
• Iceland: 57%
• Turkey: 56%
• Sweden: 55%
• Kuwait: 55%

In the United States, 42% of adults living in urban areas are Instagram users.

(Sprout Social)

Instagram demographic statistics show that almost half of all adults living in urban areas are using this platform. Urban dwellers are in tune with style and other trends. They’re the users who make advertisers especially happy, since they tend to be the ones with more money to spend.

116 million of Instagram’s users live in the US.

(Statista)

The United States is the largest Insta audience. India ranks second with 73 million users.

Instagram statistics show that the most-followed Instagram accounts are American too. From famous athletes to Kardashians, the most influential media personalities come from the USA.

Instagram’s highest market penetration is among users 24 to 35 years old.

(Statista)

Instagram has 500 million daily active users, and it seems that most of them are young adults. This information is unlikely to surprise anyone, given that branding yourself with the Insta app is a notorious millennial trend.

Although younger people love to share images with friends, Instagram user statistics by age show that the biggest part of the Instagram base is young adults i the 24-to-35 age bracket.

35% of American teens prefer Instagram over all other social media platforms.

(Omnicore Agency)

Teens have a multitude of technologies to choose from – laptops, tablets, or mobile, they have it at their disposal. Instagram engagement statistics show that 92% of American teens use the Internet on a daily basis, with 56% of them accessing it a few times a day. Some 24% say they are connected constantly.

Insta teens spend their days interacting with friends on social media platforms, sharing pictures, music, videos, and games. They’re connected to all sorts of groups, pages, and brands online.

Instagram use statistics identify Instagram as the second most used social media platform among teens. Snapchat wins the first spot – 41% of teens say they use it.

The gender ratio is just about even on Instagram – 51% female, and 49% male.

(Statista)

Even though it is small, the discrepancy in Instagram gender statistics shows that nobody can make assumptions on Insta-demographics. Both advertisers and Instagram’s Feed algorithm have adapted to that fact.

The Instagram gender ratio doesn’t include stats on non-binary classifications, even though the app offers three choices when you sign up. It may recognize gender fluidity and diversity more fully in the future.

Fun Facts About Instagram

• The most liked picture on Instagram is a picture of an egg. It had more than 55.5 million likes in February 2022.
• Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed person on Instagram with 401 million followers.
• The most popular hashtag on Instagram is #love.
• The most Instagrammed location is Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
• 14% of drivers admit they have Instagrammed while driving.
• Pizza is the most Instagrammed food, followed by sushi.

Conclusion: A Digital Marriage, for Better or Worse

An app that allows you to take, share, and post pictures. Simple, right? But add the range of Instagram filters, the aesthetic nature of the platform, and an audience of 1.5 billion potential viewers? Far from simple. Statistics on Instagram show that this format has become a central part of our modern lives.

Together, Instagram and Facebook dominate our digital landscape, which is filled with the glamorous lifestyles of celebrities and influencers. This unrealistic presentation of one’s life has affected the state of mental health in young people. Combined with rampant commercialism, we might have taken a wrong turn in guiding our future generation.

Moreover, Instagram statistics point out that its parent company’s track record on privacy issues and fake news widespread is reaching through Instagram’s audience, and many are left skeptical.