With a staggering 130 million people tapping on shopping posts every month, it’s clear that Instagram is the powerhouse for engagement, e-commerce, and brand growth.
But raw numbers don’t mean much without a strategy. That’s why this guide isn’t just a list of stats—it’s your playbook for making the most of Instagram’s dominance in 2025.
In this guide, we’re diving into the stats that matter and breaking down exactly how to make the most out of Instagram in 2025.
And, if you’re a brand owner or marketer, you can’t afford to ignore these strategies and statistics.
Key Takeaways from this Guide:
- How Instagram’s interactive features drive higher engagement.
- See how brands are turning scrollers into shoppers.
- Why Reels dominate and how to use them for maximum ROI.
- The top influencer & UGC strategies for 2025
Instagram User Statistics
Instagram as a platform isn’t just a popular choice—it’s strategic. It blends the best of engagement, e-commerce, and influencer marketing in ways only few platforms can match.
Here’s why brands love it:
- According to reports, 61% of users use Instagram to find inspiration for their purchases.
- It’s a shopping powerhouse. With 130 million users clicking on shopping posts each month, Instagram turns casual scrolling into real sales.
- It’s an influencer heaven. 79% of marketers say it’s their top platform for influencer campaigns.
- Reels are dominating. 45% of Instagram’s engagement time comes from Reels.
- It’s hyper-interactive. It has polls and quizzes to AR filters and emoji sliders.
Between its massive user base, sky-high engagement rates, and direct e-commerce capabilities Instagram is a top platform for marketers and businesses to build their community on.
Sources: Statista, eMarketer, DataReportal, eMarketer
The countries with the most active accounts are India with 385.35 million users (likely because TikTok is banned there), followed by the United States, which has 143.2 million active users in the US, accounting for 41.9% of the population. Here’s the breakdown:
- 🇮🇳 India – 385.35 million users (largest Instagram audience globally)
- 🇺🇸 United States – 143.2 million users, accounting for 41.9% of the U.S. population
- 🇧🇷 Brazil – 133.05 million users
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia – 99.4 million users
- 🇹🇷 Turkey – 58.45 million users
Why This Matters: Instagram’s massive international presence makes it an advertising goldmine for brands and influencers looking to tap into diverse, high-engagement markets.
This international presence makes Instagram especially appealing to both influencers and brands for advertising
Instagram Usage Stats
One of Instagram’s superpowers lies in its ability to make users feel involved. Unlike platforms where users passively scroll, Instagram invites them to interact with its polls, filters, and the beloved emoji slider.
This two-way street of communication keeps users coming back for more and makes it easier for brands to create meaningful connections
Even with TikTok’s existence, Instagram Stories have remained one of the most engaging formats out there.
Evidence why Instagram is so effective for brands in 2025:
- 500 million accounts use Stories every single day.
- People spend an average of 33.9 minutes a day on Instagram.
- 33% of the most-viewed Stories come from businesses.
- Geotagged posts get 79% more engagement.
- Users spend an average of 30 minutes per day on the app—and Stories are a big reason why. Stories are short, urgent, and packed with interactive tools like polls, quizzes, Q&As, and emoji sliders.
Source: Meta
💡 Pro Tip: Add polls or quizzes to your Stories. It takes seconds for a user to engage, but it can skyrocket your reach.
Instagram doesn’t exist in a vacuum—and neither should your marketing strategy. Almost every Instagram user also engages with other platforms, making cross-platform marketing a must in 2025.
According to Kepios, only 0.2% of Instagram users are exclusive to the platform. The rest? They’re also scrolling through Facebook (80.3%), watching videos on YouTube (76.9%), and most importantly, engaging with short-form content on TikTok (54.3%).
This overlap is especially significant for UGC and influencer marketing. TikTok and Instagram are the two biggest platforms for creator-driven content, and brands that integrate their strategies across both can maximize reach, engagement, and conversion.
Engagement is just the first step. But what happens after users interact with your content? Instagram has made sure that turning a ‘like’ into a sale is easier than ever. Let’s talk about social commerce.”
Instagram Social Commerce: Turning Scrollers into Shoppers
Instagram has fool-proofed the social commerce game. People can discover, review, and buy your product—all without leaving the app.
- 130 million users tap on shopping posts monthly—proving that Instagram bridges the gap between inspiration and purchase.
- 1 in 4 Instagram ads is shopping-focused, showing that brands trust Instagram for direct conversions.
- With almost $40 billion in global e-commerce sales, Instagram Shopping is more than a feature—it’s a revenue machine.
But it’s not just in-feed shopping that’s driving sales. Stories and Reels are massive shopping drivers for product discovery.
- 50% of users have visited a website to purchase after seeing a product in Stories.
- 44% of the people say they’ve become more interested in a brand or product after seeing it on Instagram.
- Stories ads shot on mobile outperform studio-shot ads by 63%.
- Brands using influencers in Reels see a 30% ROI boost.
💡 Pro Tip: Tag products directly in your Reels and Stories. Users love the convenience—and brands love the sales.
Consumers trust people more than ads. And on Instagram, the best salespeople aren’t behind a register—they’re on your feed.
Let’s explore how influencer marketing is shaping buying behavior in 2025
Instagram x Influencers & UGC
Influencer marketing is nothing new, but on Instagram, it’s a science—and a seriously effective one.
46.7% of marketers use Instagram for influencer campaigns. Meta realises this demand and its recent updates like the breakthrough program reflect this.
The most interesting part? It’s not just mega-celebrities driving engagement. Nano-influencers (1K-10K followers) make up 76.86% of all Instagram influencers—and they often have the most engaged audiences.
Source: Meta
💡 Pro Tip: Partner with nano and micro-influencers for cost-effective campaigns with high engagement. They’re affordable, authentic, and easier to work with.
While influencers help brands reach wide audiences, UGC builds trust.
Think about it—if you see your friend or someone like you using a product, you’re way more likely to consider buying it.
People trust people—not brands. That’s why UGC is gold.
- Posts with UGC get 29% more engagement.
- Reels with user-generated content see the highest engagement rates—2.08% on average.
- 61% of social users use Instagram to find their next purchase, often through user-created content.
Source: Meta
💡 Pro Tip: Run a UGC campaign using branded hashtags. Encourage customers to share photos, videos, and reviews.
Users are drawn to short, snappy videos that grab their attention within the first few seconds. Let’s talk about why that works so well.
Instagram Reels Stats
A great photo speaks volumes, but a video can tell the whole story. That’s why Reels are leading Instagram’s engagement game in 2025.
- Reels make up 38.5% of all feed posts.
- 90% of Instagram’s user base interacts with Reels.
- 74% of people surveyed have messaged a business after seeing their reels
- They’re played over 140 billion times daily across Instagram and Facebook.
- Even nano-influencers see a 20% view rate on Reels.
- Videos under 15 seconds are the most engaging.
- Short-form Reels see 49% more engagement than static photos.
- Instagram’s algorithm pushes Reels that keep users watching longer.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep Reels short, punchy, and optimised for mobile. Use trending audio for an extra engagement boost.
Alright, so we know Instagram has the users, the engagement, and the sales potential.
But how can your brand stand out in such a crowded space?
It’s all about working with the algorithm, not against it.
How to Master Instagram in 2025?
You’ve got the content. Now, let’s talk about how to make sure the algorithm works in your favor
Hashtags & Strategy
- Use Hashtags – Posts with even one hashtag see 12.6% more engagement.
- Personalised Hashtags – They boost post reach by 25%.
- Post at Peak Times – Tuesdays at 10 AM and Thursdays between 9-11 AM get the most engagement.
- Don’t Skip Geotags – They increase engagement by 79%.
Maximise Ad Performance
- 1.4 billion users see Instagram ads monthly.
- 75% of people aged 18-24 use Instagram making up the largest group by age, followed by 57% of 25-30 year-olds.
- Users aged 18-24 spend an average of 53 minutes per day. Users aged 25-34 spend around 37 minutes daily on Instagram.
- Reels ads are driving higher ROI, with 30% more engagement than static ads.
As Instagram continues to thrive, marketers can’t ignore the elephant in the room which is platform dependency.
Hence, if you find yourself thinking…
Is Instagram Still Worth It in 2025?
The answer is ABSOLUTELY.
TikTok’s recent legal rollercoaster in the U.S. is a cautionary tale. The looming threat of a complete ban highlights a hard truth:
no platform is bulletproof!
For brands heavily invested in TikTok, this saga is a reminder of the risks of putting all your eggs in one basket.
Diversification isn’t just a growth strategy—it’s a survival tactic.
Suggested Readings
15+ social media marketing predictions for 2025
How to Choose The Right Metrics for Social Media Campaign Success – Ultimate Guide
TikTok Ads vs. Instagram Ads: Which Platform Delivers Better Results
Instagram Marketing FAQs
Do you have questions about using Instagram for your brand? We’ve got answers.
Q: How do I see my Instagram stats?
It’s super simple to check your stats:
- Head to your profile.
- Tap the menu icon in the top right corner.
- Under For Professionals, tap Insights.
- From there, you’ll see an Overview of your account’s performance.
- Tap on individual metrics or specific content you’ve posted for a deeper dive into reach, engagement, and audience demographics.
Source: Meta
Q: How effective is Instagram for marketing?
- Instagram is a top platform for influencer collaborations. Because of that it’s the perfect space to humanise your brand and boost credibility.
- 83% of users use Instagram to discover new products or services. If you’re not on Instagram, you’re missing out on an audience that’s actively looking to buy.
- From Reels to Stories and Shopping Posts, there are endless ways to promote your brand and connect with your audience.
Q: Who is the target audience on Instagram in 2025?
Instagram is still heavily skewed toward younger users (under 34 years old), making it ideal for brands targeting Gen Z and Millennials. But with a growing number of users aged 35+, there’s room for broader targeting too.
Q: What type of content is most popular on Instagram?
In 2025, it’s all about short-form, engaging content—think Reels and Stories.
- Reels offer quick, snackable content that’s easy to binge-watch.
- Stories create a sense of urgency with their 24-hour lifespan, pushing users to engage immediately.
- Candid, behind-the-scenes videos continue to outperform polished studio shots.
Q: What is the main advantage of using Instagram for marketing?
Instagram’s strength lies in its ability to help brands connect with audiences through compelling, creative, and highly visual content.
- The platform is designed for eye-catching content, making it perfect for brands that want to make a strong first impression.
- Instagram’s advertising platform is highly sophisticated, allowing you to target the right audience based on interests, behaviors, and demographics.
- With features like Instagram Shopping and clickable Reels, users can go from discovering your product to purchasing it in just a few taps.
Q: Are there any disadvantages to using an Instagram business account?
Not many but…here’s what to watch out for:
- It takes time and effort. Business accounts require regular posting, content planning, and community engagement. Without consistency, your reach and engagement can dip fast.
- Instagram’s algorithm changes often, which means what works today might flop tomorrow. Staying on top of trends is essential.
Navigating Social media’s ever-changing landscape can be overwhelming. At House of Marketers, we’ve helped brands unlock the full potential of Instagram.
As one of the best influencer marketing agencies, we are committed to helping brands navigate the dynamic social media landscape of 2025 and create campaigns that leave a lasting impression.
Ready to build your Instagram Campaign? Contact House of Marketers today to explore how our expertise can help you craft effective Instagram ad campaigns that resonate with your audience and achieve your business goals in 2025.

House of Marketers (HOM) is a leading TikTok Marketing Agency. Our global agency was built by early TikTok Employees & TikTok Partners, which gives us the insider knowledge to help leading brands, like Redbull, Playtika, Badoo, and HelloFresh win on TikTok. Want us to convert more of Gen Z and Millennials with TikTok? Get in touch with our friendly team, here.