Most Followed Brands and Businesses on Instagram

Posted by: Adam Post in Blog, Instagram 0

Instagram has become a significant source for brands looking to engage audiences and boost sales. With over 2 billion monthly active users, the opportunity for brands and businesses to connect with fans is unmatched.

Aside from Instagram’s personal profile, Nike leads the way on the platform with 303 million followers. Through its posting strategy, Nike leverages its athlete partnerships and builds off its inspiring “just do it” messaging. They have a diverse mix of content highlighting athletes of all races and abilities, sports news, and strategic product placement. National Geographic comes in at third with 281 million followers. Their branding is centered around geography, travel, and exploration. They utilize high-quality nature and animal photos and fun facts to boost interaction. Often, they partner with brands to raise awareness of problems the Earth is struggling with, appealing to the earth-conscious consumer and promoting positive messaging.

Sports teams undoubtedly dominate the platform as well. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona both boast well over 100 million followers. The sports Instagram strategy focuses mainly on fan engagement, such as posting game clips and updates.

High fashion brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton excel on Instagram by showcasing their luxurious products and brand lifestyle. They use high-quality visual ads, editorial photography, fashion show clips, and more. These brands have more of a storytelling approach on the platform, highlighting the exclusive lifestyle while captivating followers.

More playful brands include 9gag and Tasty. 9gag taps into humor appeals and relatable content. They entertain users across all demographics looking for a good laugh or light-hearted material. On the other hand, Tasty excels at culinary videos and creative food ideas. Their content typically stops users mid-scroll due to the easy instructions and aesthetic food shots.

Brands that successfully navigate Instagram tend to use a mix of content through imagery and storytelling. They demonstrate high community engagement as they remain consistent with their branding and target audience. Brands capitalizing on a unique Instagram strategy is crucial for remaining relevant on the platform and fostering connections with followers.