Who has the most followers on Instagram/TikTok right now?

As of 2025, Instagram’s official account remains the most-followed on its platform, while Cristiano Ronaldo leads among individuals. On TikTok, Khaby Lame holds the crown, surpassing Charli D’Amelio and MrBeast. This blog explores who rules social media today, why they matter, and how their stories reveal the future of online influence.

In today’s digital world, follower counts are more than vanity metrics. They are markers of cultural relevance, brand power, and global influence. For marketers and fans alike, knowing who has the most followers on Instagram and TikTok right now helps us understand what type of content resonates with audiences, how trends spread, and what strategies creators use to grow.

Follower counts can mean the difference between a regular post and a viral campaign, or between a local influencer and a global superstar. But beyond the numbers, the stories of these top accounts reveal the strategies and authenticity that keep people coming back.

Instagram continues to be one of the most powerful social media platforms in the world. Its top accounts show us not only who people love to follow, but also what types of stories resonate most.

Top Followed Instagram Accounts in 2025

Instagram (official account) – ~694 million followers

Cristiano Ronaldo – ~661 million followers

Lionel Messi – ~506 million followers

Selena Gomez – ~417 million followers

Kylie Jenner – ~393 million followers

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Instagram itself naturally holds the number one spot. By showcasing the best creators, updates, and global trends, the platform curates its own appeal. Its follower base grows steadily because every new user sees it as a central hub.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to hold the crown among individuals. His combination of football highlights, family moments, and luxury lifestyle branding keeps him relatable yet aspirational. Brands line up for collaborations, and his posts often generate millions of likes within hours.

Lionel Messi, fresh off World Cup wins and major career milestones, also enjoys immense global reach. His account blends professionalism with personal updates, making him both a superstar and a family man in the eyes of fans.

Selena Gomez shows the power of advocacy combined with celebrity. She mixes lifestyle content with conversations around mental health, making her presence authentic and influential.

Kylie Jenner is a master of aspirational living. From her beauty empire to behind-the-scenes glimpses into her family life, she captures both luxury and relatability.

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TikTok is all about trends, virality, and relatability. Its most-followed creators embody simplicity, creativity, and mass appeal.

Top TikTok Accounts Right Now

Khaby Lame – ~161.6 million followers

Charli D’Amelio – ~156.5 million followers

MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) – ~119.4 million followers

Bella Poarch – ~93.4 million followers

TikTok (official) – ~90.8 million followers

Khaby Lame is the ultimate underdog story. Laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, he started posting simple reaction videos to overcomplicated “life hacks.” With just hand gestures and facial expressions—no words at all—he struck gold. His humor crosses cultural and language barriers, allowing anyone in the world to “get the joke.”

This silent comedy style echoes legends like Charlie Chaplin. It proves that relatability, not complexity, often drives success. In 2022, Khaby surpassed Charli D’Amelio to become the most-followed person on TikTok. By 2025, he holds onto that title with over 161 million followers.

Charli D’Amelio built her fame with viral dance challenges and remains a cultural icon for Gen Z. Her brand deals, reality shows, and consistent content keep her audience engaged.

MrBeast dominates with high-budget challenges and philanthropy-driven content. His TikTok presence complements his YouTube empire, showing how multi-platform strategies can expand reach.

Bella Poarch gained fame with her expressive lip-sync videos and quickly branched into music, turning viral fame into a career.

Follower counts are impressive, but the human stories behind them are what truly inspire audiences.

Khaby Lame: Beyond the viral laughs, Khaby has faced personal challenges. He was recently detained by US authorities over a visa issue, sparking headlines worldwide. Yet he remains resilient, continuing to create content that resonates globally.

Cristiano Ronaldo: His social presence blends professional athleticism with personal moments. Fans connect to his family posts as much as his football highlights.

Selena Gomez: She uses her reach to advocate for mental health and inclusivity. Fans admire her authenticity and vulnerability.

These examples remind us that people follow not just for entertainment but for connection, relatability, and values.

Here are the questions currently shaping search trends—and their concise answers:

Who has the most Instagram followers right now? Instagram’s official account leads the platform in followers, but among individuals, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the crown with over 661 million followers. His global fame, consistent football success, and engaging content—mixing sports highlights, family moments, and brand endorsements—make him the most followed. Ronaldo’s reach extends beyond sports, positioning him as a lifestyle icon and influencer whose content appeals to both fans and brands. His influence ensures that any collaboration or post garners massive visibility, setting the standard for social media dominance worldwide.

Who has the most followers on TikTok? As of now, Khaby Lame holds the title of most-followed TikToker with around 161.6 million followers. Rising from obscurity during the pandemic, he mastered the art of short, silent comedy videos, mocking overly complicated “life hacks.” His universal humor doesn’t rely on language, allowing him to resonate with audiences across cultures. His rise represents how relatability, simplicity, and authenticity often outperform scripted or overly produced content. Khaby’s follower base reflects TikTok’s ability to turn everyday personalities into global stars, disrupting traditional ideas of celebrity and highlighting the platform’s power in shaping modern entertainment culture.

How many followers does Ronaldo have? Cristiano Ronaldo currently has around 661 million followers on Instagram, making him not just the most-followed individual on the platform but also one of the most influential personalities in the world. His follower base is built on years of sporting excellence, brand endorsements, and highly relatable lifestyle posts. Ronaldo uses Instagram not only to highlight his career milestones but also to give fans glimpses into his family life, workouts, and behind-the-scenes moments. This blend of personal authenticity and aspirational content ensures he continues to grow steadily, maintaining his position as social media’s top influencer globally.

Why is Khaby Lame so popular? Khaby Lame’s popularity stems from his unique ability to communicate humor without words. His iconic hand gestures and expressions simplify over-engineered hacks, creating content that resonates with nearly anyone worldwide. Unlike many influencers, he doesn’t rely on flashy production or dialogue, which breaks cultural and linguistic barriers. His rise highlights the importance of relatability in digital culture—audiences connect with his authenticity and minimalism. Moreover, TikTok’s algorithm amplified his content rapidly, helping him skyrocket to stardom. Khaby embodies how simplicity, consistency, and authenticity can create a universally appealing brand in the fast-moving social media space.

Is Charli D’Amelio still popular? Yes, Charli D’Amelio remains one of TikTok’s most popular figures, with over 156 million followers. Despite TikTok’s constantly changing trends and new stars emerging, Charli has maintained her presence by evolving her content. Starting with viral dance videos, she has expanded into brand deals, reality shows, and other ventures, keeping her relevant. Her consistency, relatable personality, and ability to adapt to new trends help her retain a strong fan base. While her dominance has slowed compared to her peak rise, she continues to influence TikTok culture significantly, proving she’s more than just a short-lived internet sensation.

Which brands benefit most from influencer collaborations? Fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and sports brands benefit the most from influencer collaborations. These industries thrive on visual content and trends, making platforms like Instagram and TikTok perfect for exposure. Fashion labels use influencers to showcase styling, beauty brands gain credibility through tutorials and reviews, and sports brands leverage athlete endorsements for authenticity. Lifestyle products, from fitness gear to travel experiences, also perform exceptionally well. What makes these collaborations effective is the influencer’s ability to humanize the brand, creating trust and relatability. When done right, influencer partnerships can yield higher returns than traditional advertising, especially with younger audiences.

Do more followers always mean more engagement? Not necessarily—engagement often matters more than follower count. While a large follower base increases reach, many influencers with smaller, loyal audiences achieve higher interaction rates. Engagement measures likes, comments, shares, and genuine interactions, which indicate real influence. For example, micro-influencers (10k–100k followers) often outperform celebrities in engagement because their audiences feel more connected and trust them. Brands recognize this and prioritize authentic connections over vanity metrics. Thus, while big numbers look impressive, quality engagement determines actual impact. In the evolving social media landscape, authenticity and relatability often outweigh massive but disengaged followings.

Which TikToker grew the fastest? Khaby Lame is the fastest-growing TikToker in history, skyrocketing from zero followers to over 161 million in just a few years. His rise began during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were craving lighthearted, relatable content. With no spoken words, his silent comedic reactions became universally understood and shareable across cultures. The TikTok algorithm favored his content, propelling him into viral fame at an unprecedented pace. His growth reflects how authenticity and simplicity outperform heavily staged or scripted videos. Khaby’s journey proves that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve global stardom with creativity, timing, and relatability.

How can new creators grow like these stars? New creators can grow by focusing on consistency, relatability, and trend-savvy content. Posting regularly helps boost algorithm visibility, while creating content that connects emotionally with audiences fosters loyalty. Relatability is key—audiences prefer authentic creators over heavily curated ones. Leveraging trending sounds, hashtags, and formats can help increase reach quickly. At the same time, originality and a unique voice make a creator stand out. Engaging with followers through comments, live sessions, or behind-the-scenes content also builds community. Ultimately, growth on platforms like Instagram and TikTok requires a mix of timing, creativity, and staying authentic while adapting to trends.

Will Instagram remain dominant? Yes, Instagram is expected to remain dominant, though TikTok continues to challenge it. Instagram’s integration with Meta ensures constant innovation, such as Reels competing directly with TikTok videos. Its broader features—shopping, stories, long-form video, and professional tools—make it more versatile for creators and brands. However, TikTok appeals more strongly to Gen Z, pushing Instagram to adapt. While both platforms will coexist, Instagram’s massive user base, established brand presence, and ability to evolve mean it will likely stay on top for the foreseeable future. Still, creators often use both platforms strategically to maximize reach and influence.

The journeys of these top influencers provide practical takeaways:

Authenticity wins – Fans value real stories over polished perfection.

Consistency matters – Posting frequently keeps engagement strong.

Cross-platform presence – Success often extends beyond one app.

Cause-driven content resonates – Advocacy, like Selena’s, builds trust.

Engagement is king – Comments, shares, and saves matter more than sheer follower numbers.

Instagram’s official account and Cristiano Ronaldo lead Instagram.

Khaby Lame holds the crown on TikTok with 161M+ followers.

Real-life relatability, consistency, and authenticity drive growth.

Brands and creators can learn from these strategies to build their own audiences.

In 2025, social media isn’t just about posting content—it’s about building community, authenticity, and global resonance. The stars with the most followers today—Ronaldo, Messi, Selena, Kylie, Khaby, Charli, and MrBeast—each highlight different ways to connect with people.

Their stories show us that whether you are a global football icon or a comedian with no words, success on social media comes down to relatability, creativity, and staying true to yourself.