Instagram statistics

Instagram Statistics 2025: The Ultimate Guide for Marketers

January 21, 2025
By
David Olsen

Key Takeaways

  • Instagram has over 2 billion monthly active users in 2025, with 1.74 billion reached by ads (DemandSage, DataReportal)
  • Average engagement rate has dropped to 0.45%, with carousels and Reels leading in performance (Socialinsider)
  • The largest demographic is 25–34 years old, and the gender split is nearly even (DataReportal)
  • 90% of users follow at least one brand, and Instagram remains a top channel for influencer marketing and brand awareness

Why Instagram Statistics Matter in 2025

Instagram isn’t just a photo-sharing app anymore—it’s a global marketing powerhouse. With over 2 billion monthly active users and a reach that spans every continent, Instagram is where brands, creators, and communities connect, shop, and influence culture. If you want to build a winning social media strategy, you need to know where the platform stands right now.

The numbers for 2025 reveal a platform that’s maturing, with shifting engagement patterns, new content formats, and a user base that’s more diverse—and more valuable—than ever. Whether you’re a social media manager, agency, or business owner, these stats will help you make smarter decisions and get more from every post.

Key Instagram User Statistics

Instagram’s user base is massive and still growing, but the real story is in the details. As of January 2025, Instagram boasts over 2 billion monthly active users (DemandSage), with 1.74 billion reached by ads (DataReportal). That’s about 37% of the world’s internet users.

Who’s Using Instagram in 2025?

  • Top Countries:
    1. India: 414 million
    2. United States: 172 million
    3. Brazil: 141 million
    4. Indonesia: 103 million
    5. Turkey: 58.5 million
      (DataReportal)
  • Gender Split:
    • Global: 52.7% male, 47.3% female

Pro Tip:
If you’re targeting Millennials or Gen Z, Instagram is still the place to be. Use Labels in your content calendar to segment posts by demographic and track what resonates.

Instagram Engagement and Content Performance

Engagement is the heartbeat of Instagram, but it’s evolving. In 2025, the average engagement rate has dropped to 0.45%, a 24% decrease year-over-year (Socialinsider). But don’t panic—some content types are still crushing it.

What Content Performs Best?

  • Carousels:
    • Average engagement rate: 0.55% (Socialinsider)
    • Best for saves and deeper interaction
    • Particularly effective for educational or storytelling content
  • Reels:
    • Account for half of all time spent on Instagram
    • 22% higher engagement than standard video posts
      (DemandSage)
    • Average engagement rate 0.5% (Socialinsider)
  • Static Images:
    • Average engagement rate: 0.45% (Socialinsider)
    • Still a staple, but less effective than dynamic formats

Instagram Stories Usage

  • 70% of users check Stories daily
  • 62% of users are more interested in brands after seeing them in Stories (DemandSage)
  • Brand Stories have an 88.2% completion rate (The Social Shepherd)

Step-by-Step: How to Boost Engagement

  1. Mix carousels, Reels, and Stories in your content plan.
  2. Use Planning tools to visualize your feed and schedule at optimal times.
  3. Track engagement by content type with Analytics.

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Instagram Shopping and Brand Interactions

Instagram is a shopping destination as much as a social network:

  • 44% of users shop on Instagram weekly (DemandSage)
  • 90% of users follow at least one brand (The Social Shepherd)
  • 62.4% use Instagram to research products

How to Maximize Instagram Shopping:

  1. Set up your Instagram Shop and tag products in posts and Stories.
  2. Use Link in Bio tools to drive traffic to your shop or featured products.
  3. Leverage Analytics to track which posts drive the most conversions.

Common Mistake to Avoid:
Don’t rely solely on feed posts for sales. Use Stories, Reels, and shoppable tags to meet users where they’re most engaged.

Influencer Marketing on Instagram

Influencer marketing is still a powerhouse on Instagram:

  • Over 500,000 active influencers in 2025 (DemandSage)
  • 80.8% of marketers plan to use Instagram for influencer campaigns
  • 46.7% of marketers use Instagram for influencer collaborations (The Social Shepherd)

Pro Tip:
Use AI Tools to analyze influencer performance and identify the best partners for your brand.

Instagram Ad Reach and Growth

  • Instagram ads reach 1.74 billion users, or 21.3% of the global population (DataReportal)
  • Ad reach grew by 5.5% in the past year
  • Instagram generated $21.3 billion in ad revenue in 2023 (The Social Shepherd)

Step-by-Step: How to Optimize Instagram Ad Campaigns

  1. Define your target audience using Instagram’s demographic data.
  2. Test different ad formats (Stories, Reels, Carousels).
  3. Monitor performance with Analytics and adjust based on real-time insights.

Expert Tips & Industry Best Practices

  • Diversify Content: Mix carousels, Reels, and Stories for maximum reach and engagement.
  • Leverage Data: Use Analytics to track what’s working and double down on high-performing formats.
  • Community Management: Respond to comments and DMs quickly using a Unified Social Inbox to boost engagement and brand loyalty.
  • Stay Agile: Instagram’s algorithm and user behavior shift fast—review your strategy quarterly.

Instagram Statistics 2025: FAQ

How many people use Instagram in 2025?
Over 2 billion monthly active users (DemandSage).

What age group uses Instagram the most?
25–34-year-olds are the largest demographic (DataReportal).

What is the average engagement rate on Instagram in 2025?
0.45%, with carousels and Reels performing best (Socialinsider).

How much time do users spend on Instagram daily?
Average of 33 minutes per day (DataReportal).

Transform Your Social Media Management with Sked Social

The 2025 Instagram landscape is more competitive and opportunity-rich than ever. Brands face challenges like declining engagement rates, measuring ROI, and keeping up with new features. Sked Social’s all-in-one platform is built to help you win:

  • Plan and schedule content across all formats with a visual calendar (Planning)
  • Track performance and ROI with unified Analytics)
  • Manage engagement and community with a Unified Social Inbox)
  • Leverage AI Tools for content ideas, captions, and influencer analysis

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Want more insights or a custom strategy for your brand? Reach out to the Sked Social team or explore our blog for the latest social media tips and trends.

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