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13 min read
Statistics

25 Essential Instagram Statistics You Need to Know in 2024

Herd 1 profile
Jack Shepherd
Co-Founder & Marketing Director
Updated on 26 Feb 2024

Initially launched in 2010, Instagram soon became a go-to social media platform for photos that have been edited with fun filters.

These days, Instagram is so much more. Users are now able to share Stories that expire after 24 hours, long-form video content to short and snappy Instagram Reels.

It’s now a staple for many marketers looking to generate brand awareness and connect with their target audience. So, to help you better use the platform in the year ahead, we’ve compiled a list of Instagram statistics to help you better understand its demographics and how brands use its features.

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Top Instagram Statistics

To kick things off, here are some fun Instagram statistics that show just how successful the app has become since its launch:

Instagram Has Been Downloaded Approximately 3.8 Billion Times

The Instagram app first became available for iPhone in October 2010. It wasn’t until April 2012 that the Android version of the app was released. Since then, Instagram has seen approximately 3.8 billion downloads. In 2022, it was the second most downloaded app worldwide, being beaten out by TikTok.

There are 2 Billion Instagram Users Worldwide

With 2 billion Instagram users worldwide, there’s tons of content to be consumed on the platform. In the United Kingdom specifically, there are 35 million Instagram users as of February 2023.

Instagram is the Fourth Most-Visited Website

One of the more surprising Instagram statistics is the popularity of their desktop website. Although Instagram is known for being a mobile app and it’s where most users access the platform’s content, their website is the fourth most visited website.

In December 2022, the Most Popular Post Featured Lionel Messi and his teammates celebrating their victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup

In December 2022, the top Instagram post featured Lionel Messi and his teammates celebrating their victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. It was shared by the account @leomessi. Messi's post gained an impressive 61 million likes within a day and now has 75.6 million likes in total, surpassing the previous record holder, a picture of an egg. The egg photo, originally posted in January 2021, had become the most-liked Instagram post at that time, overtaking a picture of Kylie Jenner's daughter, which had 18 million likes.

In December 2022, the Most Popular Post Featured Lionel Messi and his teammates celebrating their victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Instagram Usage Statistics

As a marketer, what should you know about how Instagram is used? Here are some Instagram usage statistics based on the platform’s growth and how often people spend scrolling the app:

Instagram is the Fourth Most Popular Social Media App

In terms of active users worldwide, Instagram ranks as the fourth most popular social media app. It comes in just behind Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp.

Instagram is the Fourth Most Popular Social Media App

There’s Been a 127% Increase in Monthly Active Users From 2019 to 2023

One of the important Instagram statistics to track is growth because it shows how popular the platform is. Instagram has seen a 127% increase in monthly active users from 2019 to 2023.

Users Spend an Average of 33 Minutes Per Day on the Platform

Instagram has a lot to offer its users with the feed, Stories, Reels, and explore page. With so much content to consume, people spend an average of 33 minutes per day on the platform. How does that stack up against your screen time?

Seeing these statistics, it's no wonder why brands want to be present and promote their products on the platform. A knowledgeable Social Media agency could be the first step to finding your target audience on Instagram and taking your brand to the next level.

Instagram Demographics Statistics

Graph from Statista ranking the countries with the most active Instagram users.

To give you a better understanding of who is using Instagram, we’ve compiled some of the data around their demographics.

This information includes where most of Instagram’s users are located, as well as their top age groups and genders.

A Majority of Instagram’s Users Are Located in India

India is leading the pack with a majority of Instagram users residing in the country. 229.55 million Instagram users are in India, to be exact. Rounding out the top five are the following:

  • United States: 143.35 million users
  • Brazil: 1143.5 million users
  • Indonesia: 89.15 million users
  • Turkey: 48.65

The United Kingdom comes in eighth place with 28.75 million Instagram users.

Most of its Users Are Between 18-24 Years Old or 25-34 Years Old

As of January 2023, the largest age group of males on Instagram were those between 18-24 years old. They made up 16.9% of the platform’s users. The largest age group of females were those ages 25-34, making up 16.4% of users. These Instagram statistics are based on its worldwide audience.

Those age groups are the most common in the United Kingdom as well. Those ages 25-34 make up 29% of Instagram’s share of users.

93% of People in the U.S. Have Brand Awareness of Instagram

Instagram boasts an impressive 93% brand awareness in the U.S., as revealed by a survey employing aided brand recognition. This method showed respondents the brand's logo and its written name.

Now, let's gauge Instagram's popularity in the United States. A solid 53% of U.S. social media users express their fondness for Instagram.

Considering the usage share of Instagram in the United States, the statistics show that a substantial 53% of social media users in the country actively engage with Instagram.

Worldwide, 51.8% of Instagram’s Users are Male

If you look at Instagram’s worldwide audience, you’ll also find that a majority of its users are male. 51.8% of users are male, while 48.2% are female.

If you look at just the United States, 56.9% of Instagram’s users are female, and only 43.1% are male. And in the United Kingdom, 43.5% of Instagram users are male, and the remaining 56.5% are female.

Instagram Stories Statistics

Launched in August 2016 and modelled after the success of Snapchat Stories, Instagram brought Stories to its users as a way to share photos and videos that expire after 24 hours.

It’s become a place for users to share snippets of their day, promote business offerings, and so much more. If you’re not using Stories, let these Instagram statistics change your mind.

Instagram Stories Has 500 Million Daily Active Users

Proving the value of Instagram Stories, this feature has 500 million daily active users. That number has steadily increased since its launch and shows no signs of slowing down. That’s reason enough for marketers to be sharing content there and using it as a way to connect with their audience.

Brand Stories Have an 86% Completion Rate

When posting Stories, you obviously want to ensure people are watching from beginning to end. Luckily, brand Stories have a completion rate of 86%. The key is to make sure you’re sharing captivating content that will hold their interest throughout each Story post you share.

58% of People Say They’ve Become More Interested in a Brand or Product After Seeing it on Stories

For brands questioning whether they should invest their time and energy into Stories, this particular statistic may help you make a decision. 58% of people say they’ve become more interested in a brand or a product after seeing it posted on Stories, making it an effective way to establish a relationship with your target audience.

50% of People Have Visited a Website to Make a Purchase After Seeing a Product or Service on Stories

Instagram Stories are just one way brands can direct people from Instagram to their website, especially since all users can add links to their Story posts. Data shows that 50% of people have visited a website to make a purchase after first seeing a product or service on Stories.

4 Million Businesses Use Stories Ads Monthly

This feature is also one of the ways in which brands can run ads on the Instagram platform. In fact, approximately 4 million businesses use Stories ads monthly. Other options are to run ads in the main feed or via Reels.

A specialised Advertising agency might be able to help you choose the best placements, find your target audience and create engaging assets to drive sales for your brand.

Instagram Story Ads Statistics

Stories Ads Shot on Mobile Outperform Studio-Shot Ads 63% of the Time

When it comes to ads, quality is definitely key. However, that doesn’t mean you need a big budget to develop your ads. Instagram says Stories ads that have been shot on mobile outperform studio-shot ads 63% of the time, so opt to film on your phone instead.

Instagram Reels Statistics

Launched in over 50 countries in 2020, Instagram Reels is a direct competitor to TikTok. This feature has given users the ability to create short and snappy videos (up to one minute long) designed to educate and entertain. However, many may wonder if it’s worth creating Reels when TikTok continues to thrive.

Reels Receive More Engagement Than Regular Videos

When compared to regular video content, Instagram Reels have been shown to receive a 22% higher engagement rate. More engagement is one way to keep the Instagram algorithm happy!

87% of Gen Z TikTok Users Agree Reels is the Same as TikTok

This statistic comes as no surprise as Reels is very similar to TikTok in how it functions.

Plus, they feature the exact same types of content, many of which have been repurposed for both platforms. If you’re creating Reels and not posting them to TikTok, you may want to consider doing so. Just remove any Instagram watermarks first.

Instagram Marketing and Advertising Statistics

As a marketer, it can be tricky to determine which platform deserves your advertising dollars. This data is a clear reminder of why Instagram is a powerful choice for anyone looking to expand their reach:

Instagram Generates Millions in Ad Revenue

While Facebook generates the largest amount of ad revenue, Instagram does a pretty impressive job as well. Their ad revenue in the U.S. alone from 2019 was $12.4 billion, and estimated ad revenue in 2023 is $39.7 billion. They generate £3.59 billion from ads run by UK-based accounts.

Instagram Ads Reach 96.6% of Active Users Each Month

If you're allocating funds for paid social efforts, seriously contemplate diving into the realm of Instagram ads. Here's the scoop: Instagram ads have the incredible ability to connect with a staggering 96.6% of the platform's active users each month.

62% of Users Are More Interested in a Brand After Seeing an Instagram Story

62% of Instagram users show more interest in a brand after seeing it in an Instagram Story.

72% of Marketers Use Instagram for Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing has become a popular choice for brands wanting to expand their reach to new audiences. As of now, Instagram remains the go-to hotspot for influencer marketing, according to a HubSpot survey. About 72% of marketers rely on Instagram to collaborate with influencers and creators. The TikTok phenomenon is catching up fast, securing the second spot, as 61% of marketers are now tapping into its popularity. Following closely are YouTube, embraced by 58% of marketers, and Facebook, where 57% of marketers are in action.

Instagram for Business Statistics

And finally, let’s dive into a few business-related Instagram statistics to see how the platform can be effective as part of your marketing strategy:

Instagram Business Statistics

90% of People on Instagram Follow a Business

Instagram isn’t just a place to follow friends and family! 90% of users follow their favourite businesses for updates as well. In fact, there are over 200 million businesses on Instagram, meaning the ones you love the most are likely there for you to support by engaging with their content.

The Average Instagram Business Account Posts Once Per Day

Deciding how often to post on any social media platform can be tricky. You want to post regularly to keep the algorithms happy, but is there such a thing as posting too often? According to Hootsuite, the average business account on Instagram posts once per day, which is a great goal to aim for.

2 in 3 People Surveyed Say Instagram Enables Interaction With Brands

Social media is meant to be social. In a survey, Instagram says two in three people feel the platform enables the average user to interact with brands. Through comments and direct messages, anyone can reach out to the businesses they love.

62.4% of People Use Instagram to Research Products and Services

Knowing that 62.4% of people use the platform to learn more about different products and services should make it even more appealing for businesses. If people are out there searching for what you have to offer, it’s important to be there posting about your work.

Using These Instagram Statistics...

Instagram truly is a powerful marketing tool with multiple ways to publish content that shows off your creativity.

These statistics are a clear reminder of why, as a marketer, you should commit to making Instagram a staple in your overall online content strategy. If your target audience is spending their time on the platform, you should be too.

Herd 1 profile
Written by
Jack Shepherd
Hi! I'm Jack, Co-Founder of Social Shepherd. I didn't choose the name of the agency, but now you can see where it's from...
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