With half a billion daily active users and billions of monthly explorers, Instagram isn’t just about sharing picture-perfect moments anymore. It’s an ecosystem with diverse audiences, creative potential, and business-savvy opportunities. It is a bustling hub for creators, and everyday folks looking to connect, explore, and be inspired.
Let’s dive into the latest facts, figures, and insights on who’s using Instagram, where they’re from, and how they’re engaging with the platform.
Key Stats And Facts About Instagram Users :
- 2+ Billion Monthly Active Users: Instagram reached this milestone in around 11.2 years — faster than Facebook’s 13.3.
- 500 Million Use Stories Daily: Stories remain a top engagement tool, helping businesses share quick, authentic updates.
- 90% of Users Follow At Least One Business: Instagram is fertile ground for brands looking to build and nurture a community.
- 44% Shop Weekly on Instagram: Shoppable posts and the Shop tab drive consistent e-commerce traffic.
- 91% Watch Videos Weekly: Reels, long-form videos, and everything in between are fueling Instagram’s video surge.
- 143 Minutes of Daily Social Media Use, On Average: Instagram competes strongly for users spending ~2 hours and 23 minutes on social media every day.
- Global Network Penetration of 62.3%: Over half the planet uses social networks; Instagram is a key player in that ecosystem.
- Growth Remains Strong: Early in 2024 Instagram enjoyed a 25% year-on-year audience jump, signaling positive growth.
1: Total Instagram Accounts & Monthly Active Users
Instagram has over 2 Billion Monthly Active Users Worldwide
Instagram isn’t shy when it comes to monthly active users (MAUs). As of early 2024, the platform surpassed 2 billion MAUs, positioning itself right behind giants like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp. It’s remarkable how quickly this growth happened — Instagram reached 2 billion in just over 11 years, beating Facebook’s timeline of 13.3 years to achieve the same milestone.
Instagram For Businesses :
- Broad Audience Reach: With billions of monthly users, there’s a niche for nearly every product or service — from handmade crafts to corporate financial tools.
- Consistent Engagement: Monthly active users aren’t just sign-ups; they’re actual log-ins, meaning your content has high chances of being seen.
A positive spin here? The size of Instagram’s audience offers hope to both new and seasoned businesses, because even tiny fractions of 2 billion can lead to significant exposure, sales, or brand growth.
Pro Tip: Align content creation with trending topics or hashtags. With so many monthly users, trending content can quickly snowball into meaningful engagement. |
Sources: Source – 1, Source – 2
2: Total Instagram Accounts by Country
India, The U.S., and Brazil Top the List
As of January 2024:
- India: 362 million users
- United States: 169 million users
- Brazil: 134 million users
- Indonesia, Turkey, and Japan trail closely behind.
It’s not only about sheer numbers, though. Some smaller nations boast impressive penetration rates. For instance, Brunei has a 92% Instagram penetration, while Guam and the Cayman Islands each exceed 78% — meaning a massive chunk of their local populations are on Instagram.
What does this mean for Businesses?
- Regional Influencer Outreach: If you’re targeting a specific country, consider collaborating with local influencers. In places like Brazil or India, local influencers often have extremely loyal, highly engaged audiences.
- Language & Cultural Relevance: High user counts also imply a need for localized content strategies. Brands that speak the local language or reference cultural touchpoints see stronger engagement.
3: Instagram in the U.S. & the U.K.
U.S. at 169 Million Users; UK ~30–35 Million
The United States remains Instagram’s second-largest market. A healthy portion of America’s 300+ million internet users frequent the platform monthly. Meanwhile, the UK stands out in Europe, boasting 30 to 35 million monthly users, as well as a history of strong influencer marketing, especially in fashion, lifestyle, and sports niches.
- Booming E-commerce Scenes: Both the U.S. and the UK have robust online shopping cultures. Considering that 90% of Instagram users follow a business, these markets are ripe for product discovery and conversion.
Demographic Diversity: You’ll find everything from Gen Z thrifters to Boomer travelers on American and British Instagram, making it an optimal platform to serve multiple customer segments.
Pro Tip: Track trending hashtags by region. For example, U.S. consumers often look for #AmazonFinds or #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, while UK audiences might latch onto #HighStreetFashion or #SundayRoast. Localizing hashtags can significantly boost discoverability. |
Sources: Source – 1, Source – 2
4: How Many People Use Instagram Every Month?
2 Billion+ Global Monthly Users & Counting
We touched on this number earlier — Instagram is well into the billions regarding monthly users. What’s equally impressive is how engaged these folks are. About 80% of global marketers used Instagram in 2023 to advertise, making it the second-most popular social network for marketing after Facebook.
- Constant Growth: In early 2024, Instagram enjoyed a 25% year-on-year audience increase. Even with stiff competition (TikTok, Snapchat), it’s still pulling in new users.
- High Marketing Adoption: When 4 out of 5 marketers include Instagram in their plan, it’s a sign your competitors may be there, too. But that also signals a healthy ecosystem for brand collaborations, influencer campaigns, and ad strategies.
Pro Tip: If you’re not on Instagram yet, it might be time. Leverage Reels, carousels, and Stories to get your content in front of a global, ever-expanding audience.
Sources: Source – 1, Source – 2
5: Daily Active Users (Globally, U.S., UK)
500+ Million Use Instagram Daily — Stories Alone
Instagram’s official channels tout that a whopping 500 million people interact with Instagram Stories daily. Some estimates place total daily active users (DAUs) at roughly 500–600 million, or about 25–30% of the total monthly user base.
- S. DAUs: ~60–70 million
- UK DAUs: ~15+ million
Opportunity for Frequent Touchpoints: Daily usage means your brand can become part of someone’s routine — like checking emails or text messages.
Stories = Authentic Engagement: Stories remain ephemeral and encourage real-time connections. They’re also a great way to experiment with behind-the-scenes content or quick product demos.
Pro Tip: Use the “Swipe Up” link on Stories (or Link Stickers) to direct traffic to your website, product pages, or special promos. It’s an effortless way for daily scrollers to slip into your sales funnel. |
Sources: Source – 1, Source – 2
6: Average Time Spent on Instagram
~143 Minutes/Day on Social Media; ~30–33 Minutes/Day on Instagram
Globally, people spend about 143 minutes each day on social media in 2024 — down from 151 minutes in 2023. Instagram typically captures around 30–33 minutes of that daily usage. Meanwhile, countries like Brazil push their social media usage to nearly 3 hours 49 minutes daily!
- User Attention: You have a limited window — roughly half an hour — to grab attention among feed posts, Reels, Stories, and direct messages. Make your content count.
- Increased Sales Potential: Research from Instagram for Business indicates that 44% of surveyed users shop weekly using the platform’s shopping features. Since so many people are already there scrolling and tapping, your shop might be just a click away.
Pro Tip:Keep your content “snackable.” Posts with quick, eye-catching visuals or short Reels can capture an audience’s fleeting attention and drive higher engagement rates. |
Sources: Source – 1, Source -2
7: Age Groups on Instagram
18–24 Year-Olds (32%) & 25–34 (30.6%) Dominate Global Audiences
As of April 2024, users aged 18–24 comprise about 32% of Instagram’s global audience, with the 25–34 bracket close behind at 30.6%. That means 62.6% of total users are under 35. Teens (particularly in the U.S.) also frequent Instagram, though TikTok and Snapchat may edge out some usage time.
What Can Businesses Take From This?
- Youthful Demographic: If your target market includes Gen Z or Millennials, Instagram is a goldmine.
- Expanding Age Range: While younger users dominate, older demographics are also present — especially in regions like Northern Europe and parts of the U.S.
Curate content that resonates with younger audiences (trending audio on Reels, fresh design). However, don’t overlook older users: product lines aimed at wellness, tech gadgets, or travel can do well among 35+ audiences if presented authentically.
Sources: Source – 1, Source – 2
8: Gender of Daily Active Users
Slightly More Female Users, ~52% vs. 48% Male
Depending on the region, female usage may tip the scales a bit, with a near 50-50 split in some countries. This near balance indicates that marketing strategies can be tailored to both genders — though certain niches (e.g., fashion, beauty, lifestyle) might skew more female in following.
- Targeted Campaigns: If you sell a female-oriented product, Instagram is especially potent. But men’s apparel, gadgets, and sports content also thrive.
- Inclusive Branding: The split encourages brands to create inclusive campaigns that speak to diverse audiences.
Pro Tip:Use analytics to identify your brand’s actual audience split. You might discover you have more male fans than you initially thought, or vice versa, prompting new product lines or ad strategies. |
Sources: Source – 1, Source -2
9: What Do Daily Users Spend Their Time On?
91% Watch Videos Weekly, & 44% Shop Weekly
Instagram’s video content — Reels, Live, and short clips — commands massive viewership. 91% of active users surveyed said they watch videos on Instagram weekly. Meanwhile, 44% shop weekly using in-app features like product tags and the Shop tab.
- Posting & Scrolling: Classic feed posts and casual scrolling remain fundamentals.
- Watching Stories: Ephemeral Stories continue to be a favored feature for day-to-day sharing.
- Reels: Short-form entertainment that can quickly go viral if well-produced.
Tips for Businesses
- Tremendous E-commerce Potential: This is great news if you’re selling directly via Instagram. Shoppable tags can seamlessly convert casual interest into checkouts.
- High Video Engagement: If you’re camera-shy, consider short product demos, behind-the-scenes tours, or quick lifestyle videos. They don’t have to be Hollywood-level — authenticity resonates big-time on Instagram.
- Experiment with user-generated content (UGC). Encourage fans to post photos or videos featuring your products and tag your account. It builds trust and fosters community.
Sources: Source – 1, Source – 2
10: When Do Active Instagram Users Spend Time on Instagram by Country?
- S. & UK: Peaks typically occur midday (late morning to early afternoon) and again in the evening (8–10 PM).
- Brazil: Notable usage throughout the day, thanks to a high total social media average (3h49m daily).
- India: Engagement spikes on weekends and late evenings, particularly in metropolitan areas.
How To Use This Information
- Optimize Posting Times: Identify your core audience’s location and time zone, then schedule posts accordingly. A well-timed post can double or triple your engagement.
- Stories for the “In-Between” Moments: Because Stories vanish after 24 hours, posting during known peak times helps ensure more eyeballs in that short window.
Pro Tip:Use Instagram Insights to see exactly when your followers are most active, then schedule or manually post your content during those prime hours. |
Sources: Source – 1, Source – 2
11: Instagram Growth — Monthly & Daily
Growth or Decline in Monthly Active Users
- Positive Trajectory: Despite competition from Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, Instagram continues to expand.
- 25% YoY Growth in Early 2024: This figure underlines the platform’s ongoing vibrancy, especially in emerging markets like India and Indonesia.
Growth or Decline in Daily Active Users
- Stories, Reels, & Global Internet Access: With 8% of the world population now online, Instagram’s potential for new users keeps rising.
- Business Tools Spur Growth: Features like Shops, Reels monetization, and influencer marketplaces encourage small businesses and content creators to invest more time.
Instagram Is Not Going Anywhere
- Future-Proofing Your Marketing: Instagram’s growth is a sign that it’s not going anywhere soon. Building a presence now sets you up for future expansions in user base and features.
- Competitive Edge: If Instagram invests heavily in e-commerce and content creation tools, you can harness these innovations early to outshine slower competitors.
Pro Tip:Keep an eye on platform updates. Early adopters of new features (e.g., Reels in 2020) often experience algorithmic boosts and better discoverability. |
Sources: Source – 1, Source – 2
12: Fake & Bot Accounts
Estimated 5–15% of Instagram Profiles Could Be Fake or Bots
Multiple industry reports suggest a decent chunk of Instagram accounts are either spam, bots, or inactive. Instagram periodically purges these accounts, causing dips in follower counts for some users.
Tips For Businesses:
- Engagement Quality > Quantity: Thousands of fake followers won’t translate to real sales or meaningful engagement.
- Transparency & Trust: Customers today can see through inflated follower counts. Authentic interactions help build brand loyalty.
- If you suspect bot accounts following you, remove or block them. Focus on earning genuine followers who could become paying customers or brand advocates.
Sources: Source – 1, Source – 2
Takeaways & Final Thoughts
Instagram’s staggering daily and monthly user numbers aren’t just a sign of popularity — they represent a real business opportunity. Whether you’re a mom-and-pop shop, a solopreneur, or an international brand, Instagram offers an array of tools (Stories, Reels, shopping tags) that can spark authentic connections, boost sales, and cultivate a loyal audience.
Here are a few encouraging correlations to keep in mind:
- High Video Consumption & Shopping: With 91% of users watching videos weekly and 44% shopping weekly, combining product demos with shoppable links can create an unstoppable lead-generation funnel.
- Global Growth & Cultural Diversity: The platform’s expansion into different countries provides fresh audiences. Tapping into regional marketing campaigns can yield high returns as new communities come online.
- Daily Habit Formation: The fact that half a billion people use Instagram Stories daily suggests that the platform plays a substantial role in many people’s day-to-day lives. If your brand becomes part of that habit, you’re effectively staying top-of-mind.
Don’t let the competition or the talk of new apps intimidate you — Instagram continually evolves, giving you fresh avenues to stand out. Whether you choose to experiment with ephemeral content, Reels challenges, or influencer takeovers, the stats show that there’s plenty of audience attention to go around.
Maintain consistency. Post frequently, engage with followers, and show your brand’s human side. Social media success often hinges on consistent quality content paired with genuine interactions. |
If you’re feeling uncertain about stepping into a crowded platform, think of Instagram as one massive global marketplace. Your unique story, product, or perspective can still cut through the noise if it resonates authentically. There’s room for all — especially on a platform that sees half a billion daily Story views. Share your passion boldly and let the numbers work in your favor!
All Sources:
- Instagram for Business
- Statista: Daily Social Media Usage Worldwide
- Statista: Instagram — Statistics & Facts
- Statista: Countries with the Most Instagram Users
- Statista: Instagram in Europe — Statistics & Facts
- Statista: Instagram — Number of Global Users
- Statista: Instagram Global Age Group
- Statista: Distribution of Global Audiences 2024, by Age
- Backlinko: Instagram Users Research
Digital Marketer with experience in the research,planning development and marketing of automation solutions for Social Networks.Blog Contributor of AutoLikesIg