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50 Most Followed Brands On Instagram 2018

Looking for the most followed brands on Instagram in 2018? Put down your detective badge and have a read of our blog to discover the 50 most followed brands on Instagram!

Christy
15 minutes read

At Plann HQ we’ve been taking a closer look at the 50 most followed brands on Instagram to get an idea of what their secrets to success might be. When it comes to Instagram, we already know that there are a lot of businesses and brands on the ‘gram.

And no, it’s definitely not their seemingly bottomless budgets. Or is it…

No seriously, they’ve got some great Instagram skills!

With over 1 billion users across the world, Instagram is one of the best places for brands of all sizes to get the attention of their ideal audiences with stunning visual content like photos and videos.

Today we’re going to share with you a few top tips that we’ve gathered from taking a look at the accounts of popular Instagram brands.

To make it easy (and really helpful) for you reading, we’ve broken the list of 50 most followed brands on Instagram down into categories.

In this list we’ve included:

  • * Fashion Brands
  • * Food Brands
  • * Fitness Brands
  • * Travel Brands
  • * Beauty Brands

Oooh isn’t this exciting? Now you can learn some nifty tips (with a few Plann jokes along the way) from the 50 most followed brands on Instagram that are doing amazing things.

 

50 most followed brands on Instagram

 

 

MOST FOLLOWED BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM:

FASHION

1. CHANEL

Group photos are a yes!

A post shared by CHANEL (@chanelofficial) on

2. LOUIS VUITTON

Influencer Marketing isn’t dead, it has been reborn, and it’s wearing Louis Vuitton.

A post shared by Louis Vuitton Official (@louisvuitton) on

3.GUCCI

The ‘it bag’ of Instagram – you guessed it, it’s Gucci!

A post shared by Gucci (@gucci) on

4. VICTORIA BECKHAM

The ultimate behind-the-scenes candid shot. SEE! Behind-the-Scenes content really does work!

A post shared by Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) on

5. DIOR

Dior is schooling us in the art of the ‘Flatlay’. You can see why they’re one of the 50 most followed brands on Instagram!

A post shared by Dior Official (@dior) on

6. DOLCE&GABBANA

Always look at life through orange-tinted glasses, or through an Instagram filter.

A post shared by Dolce & Gabbana (@dolcegabbana) on

7. PRADA

There’s nothing better than a good #Shoefie.

A post shared by Prada (@prada) on

8. CALVIN KLEIN

Travel and Fashion is a match made in Instagram heaven.

A post shared by CALVIN KLEIN (@calvinklein) on

9. VERSACE

Always be flexible – with your schedule, your hashtag choice, and most importantly, your Instagram content.

A post shared by Versace (@versace) on

10. MICHAEL KORS

Did Michael Kors just make the ‘#Bagfie’ the must-take photo of 2018? We think so.

A post shared by Michael Kors (@michaelkors) on

TIPS FROM THE MOST FOLLOWED FASHION BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM:

Those were some pretty cool pieces of content, hey?

Well here are a few nuggets o’ wisdom that we’ve gained from taking a look at these high-performing Fashion brand Instagram accounts.

  • * Get photos of the details – bags, shoes, accessories
  • * Have a mixture of photo angles including full outfit snaps and flatlays
  • * Be consistent with your posting schedule and photo/video quality

Free Storytelling Guide: 30 Questions To Help You Tell Your Brand Story
Free Storytelling Guide: 30 Questions To Help You Tell Your Brand Story

MOST FOLLOWED BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM:

FOOD

1. STARBUCKS

Video content is so hot right now.

A post shared by Starbucks Coffee ☕ (@starbucks) on

2. MCDONALD’S

Filters are your best friend.

A post shared by McDonald’s (@mcdonalds) on

3. OREO

Oreo GIFs in Instagram Stories are a thing, and we’re here for them.

A post shared by OREO (@oreo) on

PSST -> Did you know that you can make your own IG Stories GIFS? More details coming in a future blog post!

4. KFC

Carousel posts of Instagram memes never go unappreciated.

A post shared by KFC – Kentucky Fried Chicken (@kfc) on

5. PIZZA HUT

Cute dogs are a must.

A post shared by Pizza Hut ? (@pizzahut) on

6.TACO BELL

Food flatlays make everyone hungry, including all of us at Plann HQ. A trip to Taco Bell anyone?

A post shared by Taco Bell (@tacobell) on

7. BURGER KING

Flowers make everything more Instagram-worthy.

A post shared by Burger King (@burgerking) on

8. SUBWAY

No seriously, flowers do make everything more Instagram-worthy.

Not pictured: the seven cookies eaten before this one.

A post shared by Official Subway (@subway) on

9. WENDY’S

How do you translate ‘Summer’ into a food flatlay? With pool floaties of course!

A post shared by Wendy’s ? (@wendys) on

10. KRISPY KREME

Wait for the ‘Golden Hour’ to get the perfect food photo.

A post shared by Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (@krispykreme) on

TIPS FROM MOST FOLLOWED FOOD BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM:

Feeling a little hungry? We sure are!

*Excuse us while we go to get a snack…*

Okay, so here’s what we’ve learnt from these popular Instagram food brands.

  • * If you’re selling food, get creative with it, have fun!
  • * Make use of Instagram’s different content styles including Instagram Stories
  • * For seasonal promotions try unconventional photo backgrounds and layouts

 

MOST FOLLOWED BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM:

SPORTS

1.NIKE

Videos with world-renowned athletes? Now THAT is a great way to increase your following and engagement on Instagram.

A post shared by nike (@nike) on

2. ADIDAS

Birds-eye-view photos? Now that is an interesting way to get people’s attention as they’re scrolling through Instagram!

A post shared by adidas (@adidas) on

3. PUMA

Quality images and childhood nostalgia.

You can definitely see why Puma is one of the 50 most followed brands on Instagram, can’t you?

A post shared by PUMA (@puma) on

4. PREMIER LEAGUE

In-game photos that make players look like superheroes? We like this strategy!

A post shared by Premier League (@premierleague) on

 

5. JUMPMAN23

When Fashion and Sport meet…

A post shared by Jordan (@jumpman23) on

6. FIFA WORLD CUP

Snippets of a game watched around the world, anyone?

A post shared by FIFA World Cup (@fifaworldcup) on

 7. FOOTLOCKER

Check out the details on that shoe with this super-cool Instagram Carousel post.

A post shared by Foot Locker (@footlocker) on

8. MANCITY

Capturing the best moments + encouraging fan commentating in the comments section. Genius!

A post shared by Manchester City (@mancity) on

9. UNDERARMOUR

Did somebody say… Influencer Marketing?

A post shared by Under Armour (@underarmour) on

10. REEBOK

It’s time for a sports #Shoefie!

A post shared by Reebok (@reebok) on

TIPS FROM MOST FOLLOWED SPORTS BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM:

Did you love checking out these popular sports brands on Instagram? We had a ball!

HA! Did you get the pun? Was it punny?

Anyway, here’s what we’ve figured out after taking a look at these sports Instagram accounts with large followings and incredibly high Instagram engagement rates.

  • * Influencer Marketing is definitely worth investing in
  • * Photo and video quality is important for all brand types, including sports brands
  • * Encouraging community engagement through popular events is always a great idea

 

MOST FOLLOWED BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM:

TRAVEL

1.NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC (TRAVEL)

A perfect example of an Instagram account that consistently shares high-quality images to create an Instagram grid that you just can’t help but scroll through.

Oh, and they asked a question in their caption – points for engaging your audience!

Photo by @paulnicklen// What species of bear do you think this is? #followme on @paulnicklen to learn more. #ghostoftherainforest #nature

A post shared by National Geographic Travel (@natgeotravel) on

PSST -> Here’s how you can increase your Instagram engagement with some of our top tips!

 

2. LONELY PLANET

 Another set of high-quality images that are making us want to travel EVERYWHERE.

Grab your suitcases Plann team, we’re going on an adventure!

A post shared by Lonely Planet (@lonelyplanet) on

3. CONTIKI

A travel and food photo combined? This is giving us major FOMO!

A post shared by Contiki (@contiki) on

 

4. TRIPADVISOR

Do you want to know the secret to drool-worthy Instagram travel photos? Try following the photography tip, ‘the rule of thirds’.

Take a look at the full TripAdvisor Instagram grid to see it in action on just about every single post.

A post shared by TripAdvisor (@tripadvisor) on

5. TRAVEL + LEISURE

Taking the meaning of ‘Instagram Feature Account’ to a whole new level.

If you want your travel photos to be in the running to be shared with over 3.5 million people across the world, you better start using the hashtag #TLPicks on all of your travel snaps!

A post shared by Travel + Leisure (@travelandleisure) on


PSST -> Want to learn about Instagram Feature Accounts? Find out what they are, and how to get featured, in this handy dandy blog post.

6. TRAVEL CHANNEL 

Video content is taken to another level on this Instagram account… wow!

A post shared by Travel Channel (@travelchannel) on

7. BBC TRAVEL

SO MANY INCREDIBLE PHOTOS.

That is all.

A post shared by BBC Travel (@bbc_travel) on

8. NORWEGIAN CRUISELINE

Hilarious Instagram meme? We LOVE this strategy Norwegian Cruiseline! Let’s be friends!

A post shared by Norwegian Cruise Line (@norwegiancruiseline) on

9. LOVE GREAT BRITAIN

If this isn’t the ultimate Instagram photo opportunity spot, we don’t know what is.

You can definitely see why they’re one of the 50 most followed brands on Instagram!

A post shared by Love GREAT Britain (@lovegreatbritain) on

10. INTREPID TRAVEL

Don’t know how to best use the Instagram Carousel Post functionality? THIS is how!

A post shared by Intrepid Travel (@intrepidtravel) on

TIPS FROM MOST FOLLOWED TRAVEL BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM:

For this category of most popular Instagram brands, we think it’s pretty obvious what the best piece of advice is for anyone looking to grow a new (or existing) travel brand. 

Can you guess what it is?

It’s all about the quality of your images and videos.

They need to be high resolution, and it really helps if you up the saturation to create content that is truly breathtaking.

PSST -> You can get access to over 60+ filters and professional editing tools with our FREE app, Plann.

 

MOST FOLLOWED BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM:

BEAUTY

1.MAC COSMETICS

High-quality photography really is the secret to an Instagram account that gets a ton of engagement!

PSST–> Did you know that MAC uses Plann to create their feed?

A post shared by M·A·C Cosmetics (@maccosmetics) on

2. ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS

Video Content + User Generated Content = Instagram Success!

A post shared by Anastasia Beverly Hills (@anastasiabeverlyhills) on

3. SEPHORA

If you are a business that sells products from other brands, try to re-gram their high-performing content to save yourself some content-creation time!

PSST -> You can use the Plann app to repost images and videos from public Instagram users for FREE!

A post shared by Sephora (@sephora) on

4. NYX COSMETICS

User-Generated-Content really does work wonders for brands!

A post shared by NYX Professional Makeup (@nyxcosmetics) on

5. CALVIN KLEIN

You CAN mix photos of different product categories together to create an incredible Instagram account – just take a look at Calvin Klein!

A post shared by CALVIN KLEIN (@calvinklein) on

6. TOO FACED COSMETICS

Did someone say high-quality photos? They really are the best way to make your content stand out as people are scrolling through their Instagram feed.

A post shared by Too Faced Cosmetics (@toofaced) on

7. URBAN DECAY

It’s totally okay to have a funny caption from time to time, check out this gem from Urban Decay!

When you’ve got resting Beached face (and you’re not mad about it) ?#repost @makeuppmadness #UrbanDecay #makeup

A post shared by Urban Decay Cosmetics (@urbandecaycosmetics) on

8. BENEFIT COSMETICS

Who is mastering the art of sticking to a signature color palette on Instagram? Benefit Cosmetics are!

A post shared by Benefit Cosmetics US (@benefitcosmetics) on

9. TARTE COSMETICS

Video Content + Asking a Question in Your Instagram Caption = GENIUS MOVE!

Swatches on swatches of our Rainforest of the Sea™ H2O glosses! ? COMMENT with your fave shade below! @Sephora #crueltyfree #naturalartistry #H2Ocolors #tarteunderthesea #rainforestofthesea #seathechange #marinepowered #marinemakeup

A post shared by Tarte Cosmetics (@tartecosmetics) on

10. MAYBELINE

We promise it’s the last time we say it in this article… but… you guessed it… USER-GENERATED-CONTENT RULES!!

A post shared by Maybelline New York (@maybelline) on

TIPS FROM MOST FOLLOWED BEAUTY BRANDS ON INSTAGRAM:

Wow, there were a lot of great tips in this list of most followed beauty brands on Instagram!

 

We’ve definitely noticed a little bit of a pattern here – allow us to share these bite-sized insights with you:

  • * Always keep an eye out for User-Generated Content, it really works wonders
  • * Try to engage your audience by asking questions and being funny in your captions
  • * Create a signature Instagram grid style and stick to it, it’s essential for sure

Wow! That was a lot of info, wasn’t it?!

We hope that you really enjoyed this breakdown of the 50 most followed brands on Instagram, and we can’t wait to see how you implement these winning Instagram tips into your own Instagram Marketing strategy.

 

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