Most Followed Accounts on Social Media (2025)

Social media continues to dominate the digital landscape of 2025, serving as a primary avenue for communication, entertainment, and information consumption. Within this vast ecosystem, the concept of “following” has evolved into a significant indicator of online popularity and influence. The number of followers an account amasses reflects its ability to capture and retain the attention of a global audience, highlighting the power of individual creators and brands in the digital age.

This analysis seeks to identify the most followed accounts across various prominent social media platforms in 2025. It offers insights into the factors driving their popularity and the overarching trends shaping online influence. By January 2025, the total number of social media users worldwide had surpassed 5.24 billion, demonstrating the sheer scale and potential reach available to those who can effectively engage online audiences.

Different platforms, however, cater to varying demographics and content preferences, as evidenced by YouTube’s continued dominance in the United States and TikTok’s surging popularity, particularly among younger generations. This fragmented landscape suggests that those who achieve the highest follower counts often possess unique strategies and content that deeply resonate with specific user bases. 

YouTube’s Reigning Stars: Content that Captivates Billions

YouTube, a cornerstone of online video consumption, hosts some of the most followed accounts globally. The American YouTube personality MrBeast is leading the pack, and he has firmly established himself as the most-subscribed channel, boasting figures ranging from 317 million to 374 million subscribers as of March 2025. His content is characterized by its fast-paced nature and high production value, often featuring elaborate challenges and substantial monetary donations. The strategy behind MrBeast’s success involves a keen focus on optimizing watch time, incorporating surprising and unexpected elements, emotionally engaging his audience, profoundly understanding their preferences, and continuously testing various content approaches. Beyond the spectacle, his appeal is also attributed to his relatable and authentic persona, resonating with a wide audience.

Securing the second position in the YouTube hierarchy is T-Series, an Indian music network with a subscriber count hovering around 284 to 289 million. Their primary language is Hindi, and their content falls under the Music category, underscoring their strong connection with the vast Indian audience. In third place is Cocomelon – Nursery Rhymes, a channel focused on educational content for young children in English, which has garnered approximately 188 to 190 million subscribers.

The consistent presence of children’s entertainment channels in the top ranks, including Kids Diana Show and Vlad and Niki (though the latter is slightly outside the top 5 in some lists), highlights YouTube’s significant role as a primary entertainment source for families. SET India, offering Hindi entertainment content, also frequently appears in the top five, further emphasizing the power of regional content.

The dominance of MrBeast suggests a trend towards high-production value and engaging storytelling as key factors in capturing audience attention on YouTube. Furthermore, the significant presence of children’s content indicates the platform’s broad appeal and accessibility to younger viewers, often facilitated by parental engagement. The massive subscriber base of T-Series underscores the immense potential of catering to specific linguistic and cultural groups with relevant content.

The landscape of most followed accounts on Facebook presents a mix of global personalities, the platform itself, and well-known brands. Topping the list of individuals is the legendary football champion Cristiano Ronaldo, who consistently holds the position of the most followed person with over 170 million followers or likes as of early 2025. His enduring popularity is attributed to his remarkable football career and widespread global appeal. Ronaldo’s broader social media strategy, which contributes to his Facebook success, includes regular posting, varying the types of media shared, maintaining a relatable persona, and consistently highlighting his core identity as a world-class athlete.

Interestingly, Facebook’s own page stands as the most followed page overall on the platform, amassing a staggering 188 million followers, indicating the inherent reach of the platform’s official presence. Among female individuals, the music icon Shakira consistently ranks as the most followed, with approximately 123 million followers, a testament to her long-standing musical career and global fanbase. The comedic character Mr. Bean also enjoys immense popularity on Facebook, with his page reaching around 140 million followers, suggesting the enduring and universal appeal of his slapstick humor. Rounding out the top contenders is Samsung, a global brand that has cultivated a significant Facebook presence with over 162 million likes or followers, demonstrating the potential for major corporations to build substantial audiences on the platform.

The composition of Facebook’s top accounts reveals that broad appeal, consistent engagement, and established recognition are crucial for success. While individual celebrities like Ronaldo and Shakira command massive followings, brands with strong global recognition, such as Samsung, and universally beloved characters, like Mr. Bean, also achieve remarkable popularity. The platform’s own page naturally benefits from its extensive user base.

Instagram, a platform centered around visual content, also showcases a distinct set of highly followed accounts. Instagram’s official account leads this platform, which consistently ranks as the most followed, boasting an impressive 676 to 686 million followers, underscoring its pivotal role within its own ecosystem. Cristiano Ronaldo continues his social media dominance on Instagram, holding the title of the most followed individual user with an astounding 639 to 650 million followers, further solidifying his position as a global social media titan. His content strategy on Instagram mirrors his approach on other platforms, featuring a blend of personal glimpses, sponsored collaborations, and training updates. 

Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s long-time football rival, also commands a massive Instagram following. With approximately 504 to 505 million followers, Messi consistently ranks as the second or third most followed individual, highlighting the widespread global appeal of top-tier football players. Like Ronaldo, Messi’s Instagram account features sponsored content, training footage, and occasional personal posts.

Selena Gomez, a multifaceted star known for her music, acting, and entrepreneurship work, frequently appears in the top five most followed accounts, with a follower count ranging from 421 to 424 million, reflecting her diverse career and strong connection with her audience. Her Instagram content is equally varied, from professional magazine shoots to candid behind-the-scenes glimpses of her makeup brand, Rare Beauty. The top contenders are Kylie Jenner, known for her beauty and fashion empire, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, whose charismatic personality and motivational content resonate with millions, consistently holding 394 to 396 million follower counts.

The prevalence of celebrities, particularly from the sports and entertainment industries, among Instagram’s top accounts underscores the platform’s strength as a space for visual storytelling and personal branding. Instagram’s account’s top position highlights its role in shaping trends and showcasing its community. The success of athletes like Ronaldo and Messi demonstrates the global passion for football and how these stars utilize Instagram to connect with fans worldwide. Selena Gomez’s and Kylie Jenner’s strong followings reflect the power of leveraging diverse talents and entrepreneurial ventures on the platform. Dwayne Johnson’s engaging and authentic presence further illustrates the importance of personality in building a large and loyal audience.

TikTok, the platform that has redefined short-form video content, also boasts a unique set of highly followed creators. Leading the TikTok pack is Khabane “Khaby” Lame, known for his silent, comedic reactions to overly complicated “life hack” videos. He consistently holds the top spot with over 162 million followers as of early 2025. His popularity is attributed to his universally relatable humor, which transcends language barriers, and his authentic, “everyman” persona.

Securing the second position on TikTok is Charli D’Amelio, who has amassed a following of around 151 to 157 million, primarily through her dance videos and lifestyle content. MrBeast, already a YouTube sensation, has also found significant success on TikTok, ranking third with over 104 to 115 million followers, demonstrating his ability to connect with audiences across different platforms. Bella Poarch and Addison Rae frequently appear in the top five most followed TikTok accounts, with follower counts ranging from 88 to 94 million, known for their engaging lip-syncing, dance routines, and lifestyle content. Notably, TikTok’s own official account also holds a significant following on the platform, with around 76 to 88 million followers, highlighting its role in shaping trends and connecting with its user base.

The success of TikTok’s top creators underscores the platform’s dominance of short-form, highly engaging video content. Khaby Lame’s rapid ascent highlights the power of simple, universally understood humor in the digital age. Creators like MrBeast’s cross-platform success indicates the potential for influential figures to build audiences across multiple social media landscapes.

X (Formerly Twitter)’s Top Voices: News, Views, and Real-Time Updates

X, formerly known as Twitter, is a platform known for its real-time updates and text-based communication, and its most followed accounts reflect this nature. The platform’s owner leads the pack, Elon Musk, who consistently holds the top position with a follower count ranging from 163 to 217 million as of early 2025. His content often revolves around his various ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX, technology updates and his frequently outspoken opinions.

Former President Barack Obama holds the second position on X with approximately 130 to 132 million followers, demonstrating his enduring influence in politics and public discourse. Cristiano Ronaldo’s strong social media presence also extends to X, ranking third with over 110 to 114 million followers, showcasing his widespread appeal across different platforms. Pop music icons Justin Bieber and Rihanna frequently appear in the top five most followed accounts on X, with follower counts around 108 to 111 million, highlighting the significant influence of celebrities in the music industry on this platform.

The dominance of figures like Elon Musk and Barack Obama on X underscores the platform’s role as a hub for news, opinions, and direct communication from individuals in positions of power and influence. The continued strong presence of global celebrities like Cristiano Ronaldo, Justin Bieber, and Rihanna further highlights the broad reach of these individuals across various social media landscapes.

Beyond the Big Four: LinkedIn and Pinterest

While YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X represent the significant platforms in terms of overall usage and the presence of highly followed accounts, LinkedIn and Pinterest also host influential figures within their respective niches. On LinkedIn, a platform focused on professional networking, Bill Gates reportedly holds the highest individual following with over 35 million connections Other prominent LinkedIn influencers, often with followings in the millions, include figures like Narendra Modi, Brené Brown, and Adam Grant, who focus on topics such as business, leadership, and personal development  Amazon stands out as the most followed organization on LinkedIn, with over 30 million followers  This suggests that LinkedIn’s top accounts cater to professionals seeking insights and connections within the business world.

Pinterest, a visual discovery engine, sees Joy Cho of Oh Joy! as the most followed individual, with approximately 15 million followers. Other popular accounts on Pinterest include Wattpad, Tasty, and Maryann Rizzo, reflecting the platform’s focus on lifestyle, food, and design-related content. The success of these accounts aligns with Pinterest’s core themes of visual inspiration and DIY projects.

Analyzing the Trends: What Makes Them So Popular?

The remarkable popularity of these top social media accounts can be attributed to several key factors. Authenticity and relatability play a significant role, as many top influencers, such as Khaby Lame and Dwayne Johnson, connect with their audiences by being genuine and sharing content that resonates with everyday experiences. The consistent delivery of high-quality and engaging content is also crucial. Whether it’s MrBeast’s elaborate video productions or Selena Gomez’s diverse and visually appealing posts, these accounts consistently capture and retain the attention of their vast audiences. Maintaining a consistent presence and a regular posting schedule is another vital element for staying relevant and fostering audience growth across all platforms.

Furthermore, many of the most followed individuals, including Cristiano Ronaldo and MrBeast, have strategically built a presence across multiple platforms, amplifying their overall reach. Understanding and adapting to each platform’s unique features and audience expectations is also essential. Successful accounts tailor their content to suit the specific environment, whether short-form videos on TikTok, visual storytelling on Instagram, or professional networking on LinkedIn. Finally, leveraging current trends and creating engaging challenges, particularly on platforms like TikTok, can boost visibility and attract new followers.

Conclusion: The Ever-Evolving Landscape of Social Media Influence

The landscape of the most followed social media accounts in 2025 reflects a constantly shifting dynamic influenced by individual talent, platform trends, and the ever-evolving preferences of online audiences. While established celebrities and global brands continue to hold prominent positions, the emergence of creators like MrBeast and Khaby Lame underscores the increasing power of unique, engaging content and authentic connection in capturing the attention of billions. The strategies and content styles employed by these top accounts offer valuable insights for anyone seeking to build their own online presence or leverage social media for business purposes. As the social media world continues its rapid evolution, the composition of the most followed accounts in the years to come will undoubtedly feature new faces and emerging trends, making it a fascinating and dynamic space to observe.