Most Liked Instagram Posts: Gauging Success From Like Counts

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Karen Lin

Instagram 101 | Dec 11, 2024

Want More Real Instagram Followers?

“If it’s not on Facebook or Instagram, it didn’t happen!” You totally get the statement if you’re a huge fan of these social media platforms. You also fully appreciate why the most liked Instagram posts are a big deal. Why does a post get hundreds of millions of likes? What’s all the fuss about the most liked posts on Instagram? Let’s answer these questions and more.

Person holding two smartphones and engaging in social media interactions.

Most Liked Instagram Posts: What Do They Have That Others Don’t?

If you’re searching “most liked posts Instagram”, you’re probably wondering how they get so many likes. What do these posts have that other posts don’t? 

  • Photography Skills – You might be a fitness influencer, a fashion influencer, or running a store on the platform. Either way, developing decent photography skills is a must to get tons of likes and become a successful content creator. An Instagram photo with most likes is one that has the wow-factor!

What Is the Instagram Post With the Most Likes?

Many people ask “What is the most liked picture on IG?”. As of February 2023, the Instagram picture with the most likes is a carousel post by the footballer Lionel Messi. It shows him celebrating winning the World Cup with Argentina teammates in December 2022.

The carousel post currently has 75.3 million likes. The series of photographs shows Messi lifting the World Cup trophy.  The post reached 10 million likes within the first hour, or after 39 minutes, to be exact! Two days later, the post officially became the Instagram post with the most likes

It surpassed the previous record held by the Photo of an Egg. The account world record egg posted Photo of an Egg in January 2019. This post continued to get likes after Messi’s post knocked it down to the number 2 spot. It currently has 59.7 million likes.

Messi holds a total of seven spots on the top 20 list of most liked posts so far. Other Instagram accounts with the most likes on an Instagram picture include celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Selena Gomez. Lionel Messi shares his record with Cristiano Ronaldo. His number 1 post broke several other records. Here’s a complete list:

Most Liked Picture on Instagram in 24 Hours

The 2022 FIFA World Cup win photo received the most likes on Instagram picture in 24 hours. The post also broke the record for most liked for a sportsperson. The title was previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo. It was a photo of him and Messi playing chess for a Louis Vuitton ad. The post currently has 42.8 million likes, ranking it among the most likes on Instagram picture.

Instagram Picture With Most Likes Across All Social Media Platforms

Messi’s Instagram post got more than 64 million likes within 48 hours. It became the most liked post on all social media platforms. It beat the music video for Despacito, which was the most liked post on YouTube with over 50 million likes. 

First Instagram Post To Hit 60 and 70 Million Likes

Messi kept scoring more goals after his team’s 2022 World Cup win over France. His carousel post also became an ultimate Instagram champion. It became the first ever post to reach 60 million and 70 million likes. He broke these records within only three days of sharing the post.

Photo of a football stadium filled with fans, illuminated by stadium lights during a game at dusk.

Instagram Post Most Likes: How Do I Find My Most Liked Post?

If all the ruckus has you wondering, “How do I find my picture with the most likes on Instagram?” just follow these steps! If you have a professional account (creator or business), you can find your most liked posts via your Insights. 

  1. On the mobile app, tap your profile picture in the bottom right to go to your profile page.
  2. Tap “Professional dashboard” under your DP.
  3. Tap “See all” opposite “Account Insights.”
  4. Under “Overview,” tap “Accounts engaged.”
  5. The default period is “Last 30 days.” Tap this to change it to the “Last 7 days,” “Last 14 days,” “Previous month,” or “Last 90 days.” Tap “Update” when you’re done.
  6. Scroll down to “Post interactions.” The following section will show you your “Top posts” “Based on likes.” You’ll see your top posts from highest to lowest number of likes. In this section, you can also see similar account insights for your Instagram Reels, Stories, and Live videos.

If you have a personal account, keep reading to view a list of most liked Instagram posts for your profile.

How To See Someone’s Most Liked Instagram Post?

If you have a personal account you might want to see how your posts are performing. If you want to see someone else’s most liked Instagram post, try a third-party tool. Path Social’s free Profile Analyzer gives any public profile’s most liked Instagram posts from the last 100 posts. You don’t need to download the tool or sign up for an account to use it. Simply follow these steps:

  1. On your browser, type Pathsocial.com.
  2. If you’re using a desktop, hover over the “Resources” tab at the top, then click “Free Instagram Tools.”
  3. If you’re using a smartphone, tap the menu in the upper right, tap “Resources,” then tap “Free Instagram Tools.”
  4. Scroll down to find the Instagram “Profile Analyzer.”
  5. You can opt to sign up for Path Social updates or click “Cancel.” Just input the Instagram handle and click/tap “Analyze.”
  6. Scroll down until you find the “Top Most Liked Posts” section.

What Data Can You View With Profile Analyzer?

You can view the following publicly available data when you use the Profile Analyzer:

  • Number of followers
  • Engagement rate
  • Average user activity
  • Posting frequency – daily, weekly, and monthly
  • Popular post times
  • Number of uploads
  • Top hashtags used
  • Top keywords used in captions
  • Posts with the highest likes
  • Posts with the most comments
  • Audience interest

Why Likes Matter for Social Networking on IG

For brands, getting the most liked Instagram posts within their niche equals success in more ways than one. Your like counts are among the key performance indicators you should be keeping an eye on. They help gauge the effectiveness of your content. Likes on a post tell you whether or not you are reaching your target audience. Double taps on a post shows your audience finds it interesting or relatable. 

Other Reasons To Aim for High Like Counts 

Here are more reasons that you should aim for high like counts:

Workspace featuring an open laptop on a wooden desk, with a camera, headphones, smartphone, plant and mug.

Go for More Than Likes To Grow Your Brand on Instagram

Achieving a high like count shows your content is engaging and resonates with your audience. But while getting more likes on Instagram is great, it shouldn’t be your only goal. 

Consistent engagement from the right audience is what truly matters. To achieve this, you need to reach and engage your target audience. 

Path Social leverages advanced, proprietary AI technology to precisely target the most relevant audiences for your brand. They go beyond “most liked Instagram posts”. Their targeted approach ensures that your brand attracts followers who consistently engage with your posts. This way, you can build a real Instagram community. Start growing and gaining Instagram followers today with Path Social!

FAQs

What is the picture with most likes on Instagram? 

The Instagram post with the most likes at the moment is a post by Lionel Messi. It features him and his teammates celebrating their 2022 FIFA World Cup win. The carousel post has 75.3 million likes. It shows Messi holding the World Cup trophy and several other winning moment shots with his team.

How to get a list of most-liked Instagram posts?

You can see your Instagram posts with the most likes by using Instagram Insights if you have a professional account. Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to go to your profile page.
Tap “Professional dashboard”. Then, tap “See all” opposite “Account Insights.” Under overview, tap “Accounts engaged. Scroll down to “Post interactions.” This will show you your “Top posts” “Based on likes.” Here you’ll see your most liked posts from highest to lowest number of likes. 

What is the best way to get more likes on Instagram?

To get more likes on Instagram, regularly post high-quality content. The content should resonate with your target audience and keep them engaged. Use trending hashtags to increase discoverability. Post at the right times when your audience is most active. You should also try to partner with influencers to expand your reach and run contests to boost engagement.