Crunching the Numbers: Cool Instagram Statistics To Know

It’s undeniable that Instagram is one of the world’s favorite social media platforms. From curating aesthetic content to watching addictive Reels, Instagram users are always up to something on the app. So, it’s no surprise that the plaform has become a huge success in the digital world and plenty of Instagram statistics support this.

Keeping tabs on the latest Instagram data doesn’t just enrich your knowledge on one of today’s biggest social networking sites. It also helps inform your content strategy as a brand or creator. Knowing which formats do well and who’s on the platform makes it easier to plan your online marketing strategies.

That’s why today, we’re sharing cool Instagram stats that prove the platform’s breadth and how effective its features are. Keep reading to see relevant, valuable insights about Instagram and its wide range of formats.

Instagram Daily Active Users: How Many People Use Instagram Every Day?

Everyone knows that the platform is huge, but you may be wondering exactly how many people use Instagram. In early 2024, Statista recorded a whopping two billion monthly users on the platform. 

According to Oddball Marketing, social media users spend an average of 29 minutes per day on Instagram. That’s just four minutes less than people’s daily activity on Facebook, the world’s most popular platform.

The high number of Instagram daily active users and widespread, constant use of the app proves the platform’s global reach. IG users also have different interests and cultures, making Instagram a vibrant, lively melting pot of visual content. Hence, it is the perfect platform for brands wanting to scale their business and reach a wide audience.

Instagram User Statistics: Age Groups and Gender Split

It’s important to know Instagram user statistics to learn whether your target audience is present on the platform. A firm grasp of the app’s demographic data will tell you whether you should be present on the social network. Here are some topline statistics you should know about Instagram’s user base.

Instagram’s audience includes younger generations, specifically Gen Z and Millennials. According to Statista, 32% of users are 18-24 years old, while almost 31% are between 25-34. That means almost two-thirds of the people on the platform belong to these generations. These young adults are the lifeline of Instagram’s coolest trends that go viral on the platform.

Meanwhile, Instagram’s gender breakdown is pretty much split right down the middle. Statista reports that 50.6% are male users, while 49.4% are female users. That might be quite surprising to some since many Instagram niches lean toward conventionally feminine interests, like fashion and beauty. But that only tells us that traditionally male interests, like tech and gaming, are on the rise, too.

Average Engagement Rates Are Higher for IG Accounts With Fewer Followers

Engagement rates are one of the most important Instagram account stats any brand should watch out for. This metric measures how many interactions a post drives relative to your follower count. It essentially shows how much of your audience finds your content engaging.

According to a study by Iconosquare, the average engagement rate of Instagram users is 4.7%. However, depending on your number of followers, anything between 1-5% should be a good rate.

Interestingly, Bazaar Voice found that accounts with fewer followers drive higher engagement rates than those with millions of fans. Their research discovered that creators and brands with less than 10k followers have average engagement rates of 10% and above. Meanwhile, those with over a million followers go only as high as around 6.6%.

That makes total sense when you consider that micro-influencers are renowned for their stellar engagement rates. Meanwhile, mega-influencers are hired for their massive reach, not necessarily for their engagement scores.

Instagram Reels Statistics: Driving More Reach and Engagement Than Other Formats

Reels are one of the most powerful creative formats on the platform, as backed by the latest Instagram Reels statistics.

A study by HypeAuditor finds that compared to feed posts and carousels, Reels drive significantly more reach and engagement.

After analyzing over 77 million Instagram posts, they found that 33.8% of all reach was because of Reels. Despite being the most popular format to publish, image posts only contributed 29.9% of the reach.

The study found that Reels also drove the most comments, accounting for 35% of the total number of comments. Image posts and carousel posts, on the other hand, each pitched in around 24%.

This data tells brands that Instagram Reels are amazing for driving engagement. Anyone looking to launch an engagement-based campaign should consider scheduling tons of entertaining, relevant Reels in their content plan.

There’s also talk about Instagram prioritizing Reels in the algorithm. So, by posting more of these bite-sized videos, you can boost your visibility on the feed and get more fans.

Instagram Stories: Reach Is Picking Back Up Again for Small Creators

For a while, Instagram Stories started to lag behind other, trendier formats on the platform, like Reels. But it seems as though Stories are making a comeback, especially for smaller creators.

According to RivalIQ, Stories by brands and influencers with less than 10k followers saw a 35% increase in 2023. Meanwhile, slightly bigger accounts with 50k-200k fans only slightly increased by 1.6%.

There are many probable reasons why Stories have gotten more popular among smaller accounts recently. The format allows creators to be unapologetically authentic since Stories expire after a day. This lets brands and influencers show off their personality and win the hearts of their fans. 

Plus, interactive stickers and templates have become quite popular in recent years, which may have boosted Stories’ reach overall, too.

Live Instagram Statistics: Streams Reach 100 Million People Daily

Here’s an interesting Live Instagram statistic—according to Social Pilot, 100 million people watch a livestream on Instagram every day. You’d think that with the rise of Reels and Stories, people wouldn’t be as active on Live sessions anymore. But that’s completely wrong.

Instagram Live allows brand owners and creators to talk to their fans in real time. It’s an opportunity for these users to answer pressing questions, engage with their top fans, and show off their personalities. Because it allows you to have “real,” on-the-spot conversations with people, it’s terrific for building a solid community on Instagram.

Instagram for Business: Shoppers Use the Platform for Purchase Decisions

Using Instagram for your business is a terrific way to promote your products and deals to a mass market. Instagram’s internal data shows that 70% of shoppers use the platform for ideas on what to buy. So, showcasing your offerings in a beautiful, impactful way may help drive conversions for your brand.

There are many ways to lure potential customers to your shopping website through Instagram. You can curate aesthetic lifestyle ads with your products front and center. You can also entice your loyal followers to produce user-generated content as social proof of your brand. You can even collaborate with popular influencers to boost interest in your products and drive purchases.

Influencer Culture: Creators Are More Active on Instagram vs Other Platforms

Everybody on social media knows how huge influencer culture is in the digital marketing world. Brands activate popular creators and celebs left and right to promote their products through influencer marketing campaigns. But did you know that of the many social media platforms out there, influencers are most active on Instagram?

According to Spiceworks, 90% of influencers have an active online presence on Instagram. TikTok—arguably the trendiest app for Gen Z today—is a far second, with 66% of influencers active on the platform.

This data tells us that if you’re an aspiring influencer, an Instagram presence is a must. It’s where the culture is most vibrant and where you’re most likely to land sponsorships from lifestyle brands. At the same time, augment that presence with accounts on other platforms like TikTok or Facebook to widen your reach.

The Best Instagram Statistics Websites To Check for Updated Data

Instagram is a platform that is notorious for its ever-changing algorithms and rules. So, you constantly have to look around for new updates on the platform and how it’s performing. Luckily, there are plenty of Instagram statistics websites that share up-to-date info on the app and its features.

Statista is probably the easiest website to navigate when it comes to Insta statistics. The website collects and provides statistics about Instagram from different studies and reports that you can easily sift through. That site has plenty of data on the platform now, and it’s only going to increase from here.

You can also look at studies on the websites of market research agencies to see the latest updates on Instagram. Social media management platforms might also share impactful and relevant stats on their blog pages. Other websites with important stats might include tech news sites, platforms for influencer marketing, and pages of digital advertising companies.

Use All This Knowledge To Grow Your IG Page!

By staying updated on the latest IG statistics, you’ll know what’s working and what’s not on the platform. This information can help you make informed decisions for your page, from your content plan to business promotions. Armed with these Instagram statistics, you can easily craft the best marketing strategy for your brand and grow from there.

Are you looking for a faster, more convenient way to grow your page? Work with Path Social! We specialize in promoting content to niche target audiences. That way, your content can reach the people you made it for specifically. This gives you a massive boost in visibility, leading to more authentic, engaged followers for your page. Gain more fans today with Path Social!